The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1892-06-21
CANADA is NOT FAIR.
imposes Unjust Restrictions on
American Shipping.
RETALlATE, HARRISON SAYS.
Reciprocity Is Found to BE Impossible.
and Our Neighbor Refuses Even to
Observe the Present Treaties.

WASHINGTON CRY, June 20-In the state
papers sent to the Senate in answer to the
resolution OF February "a. calling for in.
formation relative to reciprocity negotia-
tons with Canada. the president sounds
the death kneH of that project. in effect
recommending that congress proceed to
retaliate upon Canada for the persistent
denials of the rights of American citizens
guaranteed by the treaty of Washington
in connection with navigation on Cana
dian canals.
The president says answer to the resolu-
ton was delayed at the suggestion of the
state department until the conference of
June with the Canadian representatives
took place. The president SAYS in part:
The result OF the conference as TO the practi-
cablty OF arranging a reciprocity treaty with
the Dominion OF Canada is clearly stated in Mr..
Blaines letter, and was anticipated, think, by
him and every Thoughtful American who had
considered the subject reciprocity treaty
limited to the exchange OF natural products
would have been such only in FORM The bene.
fits of such treaty would have Injured almost
wholly TO Canada. Previous EXPERIMENTS on
this line have been unsatisfactory to this gov
eminent A treaty that should be reciprocal
in fact or OF mutual advantage must necessarily
have embraced an important list of manufact-
ured articles and secured TO the United States
free or favored Introduction of these articles
into Canada as against the world, but il was
not believed the Canadian ministry were ready
TO propose or assent to such an arrangement
The conclusion of the Canadian COM
mssioners is stated in the report of Mr..
Blaine, as follows:
In the second place it was deemed impossible
for the Canadian government, in view of its
a..
extend to American grades preferential treat
ment over those of other countries. AS Canada
was part OF the British empire. they did not con-
slider Il competent Tor the Dominion government
TO enter into any commercial arrangement with
the United States from the benefit OF which
Great Britain and colonies should be excluded
The president says:
Its not for this government to argue against
this announcement OF Canadian officials opin-
ion. 1t must be accepted, however, think, as a
statement of the condition which places an in
supefabie barrier in the way of the attainment
OF that large and beneficial intercourse and re-
ciprocal trade which might otherwise be de-
veoped between the United States and the
Dominion.
Mr.. Blaine reports as one of the results OF the
conference an informal engagement to repeal
and abandon the drawback of Is cents a ton
given to grain carried through Montreal and
running from ogdensburg, Oswego and other
American ports. American shippers pay full
20 cents a ton, while in effect those by way of
Montreal pay only 2 cents. 1t was understood
the Canadian commissioners, who were men,
bers OF the Canadian cabinet, would see to the
withdrawal of this discrimination. The report
Of the recent conference to Minister Foster
shows that tie Canadian commissioners declare
this does not conform to their understanding of
the matter; that all they intended was that the
complaint sh ould be taken under consideration
by Minister Foster
This misunderstanding is unfortunate, but
the serious phase OF the situation is that the
Canadian ministry, instead OF resembling the
discriminating canal tolls, issued, after the re-
turn of the commissioners, and without any
communication with this government, an order
continuing the discrimination.
The president says the order is in direct
violation of the articles of the treaty of
ISL, which reads: ITO secure to the citi-
zens of the United States the use of the
Welland st. Lawrence and other canals
In the Dominion on terms of equality
with inhabitants of the Dominion The
president continues:
1t is matter of regret that the Canadian
government has not responded promptly to our
request for removal OF these discriminating tolls
The papers submitted show that serious loss has
been Inflicted our lake business and upon
some OF our lake ports. la view OF the fact that
Canadas comm ssioners still contest with us
the claim that these tolls are discriminating,
and insist that they constitute no violation
OF the letter spirit o. the treaty, il would
seem appropriate that congress, e the view held
by the executive is approved, should with de-
liberation, and yet with promptuess, take such
steps as necessary to secure the just rights OF
our citizens
The president says that in view of the
delay which has already taken place he
does not feel justified in awaiting a further
communication from the Canadian gov
eminent suggested in the recent confer
ence. Should any come he will at once
transmit it TO the Senate.