Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-12-19
TRADE WITH CANADA,
Minister Foster Presents His Side of the

minister roster presents His Side OF the
Case.
Hon. George f. Foster. dominion minister of
finance. says in regard to reciprocity negotiations
between this country and Canada: when the
proposition for reciprocity in natural product
was declined, and before wider arrangement was
discussed, Canadian delegates inquired about
the question of discrimination. We asked who
would have power to make the tariff and what
would be its range. For example, we asked
whether Canada would be free to arrange her
own tariff on woods. This article Is on the free
list here, and in the United States it is highly
taxed.
ITO this Secretary Blaine replied very en-
phatically that the United States had heavy
duty ON woods, and if Canada fixed separate
duties the proposed reciprocity arrange
ments would be simply non-effective. Now
| must admit that | was surprised that Secre-
tary Foster said Canada made basis of
settlement of the canal question the free navi-
CATION OF the Hudson river by Canadians. So
far as my knowledge goes, Americans never
made free navigation sine qua non for set
Element of canal disputes. At the Washington
conference in June last an informal PROPOSE
ton was made that the controversy might be
settled by the United States allowing Canadians
Tree navigation OF the Hudson in return for
Canadians Withdrawing their refusal to grant
rebates grain transshipped at United States
lake ports. Anybody can see that this falls
short of basis OF settling the whole contro-
versy. Cur informal offer was declined
thereupon new proposition was discussed and
promised consideration
at was formally conveyed to the United
States government through the British charge
d affaires at Washington. This proposal was
submitted to the Senate by President Harrison
in July last and is as follows: THAT as regards
navigation of the Weiland and ST. Lawrence
canals, the imposition of tolls and granting re-
bates thereon. the same treatment must be &C
corded to citizens of the United States as is
given to subjects of her majesty, without re-
gard to ports Of transshipment of exports. and
that the United States will continue to deal in
like manner with subjects OF her Britannia ma
jestv, in use of the existing Sault Ste. Marie
canal; that the provision Of article 80 of treaty
of Washington, granting carrying powers to
vessels belonging to subjects of her Britannia
majesty, described in that article, be re-
| stored.
1T will. therefore be seen," added Mr. Foster,
''that the Hudson river was not mentioned in
this proposition for settling the whole difficulty
l cannot recall any occasion when Canada made
q demand for free navigation OF the Hudson as
q settlement Of the controversy. Let Secretary
Foster prove his IL he has documents Bv
article so, treaty of Washington. above referred
to, it Was agreed that British subjects might
carry in british vessels, without payment of
duty, goods wares. or merchandise from one
port place within the territory of the United
States upon the st. Lawrence, great lakes and
rivers connecting the same. TO another port or
place within the aforesaid territory OF the
United States, provided that portion of such
tran.shipment should be made through Canada
by land, carriage and in bond, and
privilege exactly corresponding mutitIs
rlutandis was By the same article granted
to the citizens of tho United States
with respect Of goods. wares or merchaudlse
carried from one point in Canada across terri
tory Of The United States 70 another point in
Canada. BY the same article it was agreed that
tho United States might suspend the right of
CARRYING SO granted TO Britiah subjects in case
the Dominion of Canada should ut any time de-
priye the citizens of the United States OF the
use OF the canals of the dominion on terms of
equality with Canadians"