The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1892-12-14
FOSTER REPLIES TO FOSTER.
DEFENCE OF THE PRESIDENTS views
ON OUR RELATIONS NTH CANADA.


The Dominion Again Reminded OF the OBJ.
stncies She Eta. Thrown In the Way OF =
Settlement OF Lons-stnndipE Differences.
WASHINGTON. Dec. lathe attention OF the
Secretary OF State. John W. Foster. was called
to-day to the published interview with the
Canadian Minister Of Finance. the Hon. George
4. Foster. about that part OF President Harrl-
sons annual message relating to Canada.
Secretary Foster said that the Canadian FL
nance Minister'S arraiCnmont OF the President
was neither justified by the message nor sus-
tanned by his long criticism.
The Minister considers four topics OF great
interest to both countries. viz: Reciprocity Of
trade. fishery rights. the canal discrimina-
lions. and tho railroad traffic" said Secretary
Foster "On the first point little fault is to be
found with the Canadian statement. for tho
reason that in only one particular does 1t
qualify the Presidents declarations. But IN
this particular tho Minister is seriously in
error During the reciprocity conference
of last winter Mr.. Blaine did not insist that in
n reciprocity arrangement uniform tariff
would be necessary for both Canada and the
United States. nor. much less. that 1t should
be on tho line OF the present United States
tariff. He did ask that the schedule should
not be confined to natural products, but shoulp
include nm agreed list Of manufactured goods.
and that the reciprocity should be confined to
Canada and the United States: nnd because OF
these two conditions tho negotiations were
fruitless.
The fishery question covers more than Q
century Of voluminous discussion and pro-
longed controversy. but most limited OK
animation OF 1t would show that at every step
In its history tho exactng and unreasonable
demands Of Canada have frustrated otherwise
I'm nd finn M hafu, mt lrif
ain and the United States. This is especially
noticeable in tho fur controversy. 1t is a we'll
known fact that in 1888 the subject had reach
ed a complete basis Of settlement in London
between Lord Salisbury and Minister Phelps.
when the remonstrance OF Canada defeated
the ARRANGEMENT and Ereepitnted tho two
which has grown the pending arbitration
secretary Foster said that the Canadian
Minister'S statement OF the issue involved in
this arbitration was most imperfect and mis-
leading. It was not question OF free fishing
on the high seas
sold. docs not claim that BehrinG Sea is mare
e"s doss thnt law law
Of the sen is not lawlcssness. It holds that the
a 1r es E 1SEn 11s nss the M
existence and to which they return with I'M
varying INSTINCT represent large and valua-
permitted to be exterminated by the barbnr-
Gus and inhuman methods Of the Canadian
81 wifi So aeeds thu
The Minister clouds the canal controversy
parison Of the relative advantages the United
States and Canada derive from each others
in the matter Of, navigation. The whole move:
ment Is evidently designed to force the United
Of tie Hudson River a coneessio sion " whieh was
left unconsidered In the conference which led
up to 81 the treaty lin The nsyes
lent 81 nsSsssen ae 81 tRs st. ea LAVA.
1911. what is It now when tn. comm srcisI field
Of operations In Lake Michigan is many iold
better UNDERSTANDING OF the question Of the
canada that tie free navigation Of the Hadson
Canada's fuln ment Of tho simpie terms IS Of Of the
treaty OF Washington. All nations have care
municaton ard coastwise commerce from Tor
eign intrusion. and tho President has neither
the intlnati4 Ph nor the power under existing
instance to secure the observance by Canada
Of what he regards as its plain treaty obi-
The attitude OF Canada toward our railway
traffic Secretary Foster regards. as THO least
States. Briefly stated" he said 1T til is q de-
tiance by her Government and overshadowing
corpornt til OF our national policy Of railroad
OF the public While our American railroads
nre under tho restrictions OF the lnter-State
Commerce law. the Canadian Pacific Is reap
ing the benefits Of Its exemption thereirom at
great Inconvenience. II not serious loss. to the
Treasury Department and to the injury OF
system thus far has been one OF the many in
stances of the forbearance of the Executive
and distinguished mark Of desire to Guilt
yate friendly relations with Canada. Certainly
II Is the last matter about which the Finance
Minister should find fault with President Hair
rison's Mtterances in his message:
stances cited by the President in which our
negotiations with Great Britain have heen
thWarted by Canada. Ono OF the most recent
may DO given. showing how an actual agree
ment between the two sovereign Governments
was defeated by the attitude Of our neighbor.
Tie copyright agreement with Great Britain.
has been rendered nugatory. SO far as Canada
is concerned. by tho allegation that 1t is not
an international convention within the
meaning OF the Canadian statute"
Secretary Foster believes that the Minister
Is greatly in error in his assertion that the
sentiments Of the PEOPLE Of the United States.
he but one opinion among patriotic Americans.
While there Is no disposition in this country
to interfere In the slightest degree with the
political relations Of Canada. We do expect a
faithful compliance with treaty obligations
and fair and equal treatment for American
sentiment on these questions wherever the
President finds 1t necessary to take steps to
enforce the ono or secure tho other"
Want Judge Lppincott to Succeed Justice
erfH