The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1892-09-07
RETALIATION BEGINS.
The Presidents Proclamation
Against Cana dian Tolls.
Free Navigation Of St. Mary's
Falls Canal Suspended.

The State Department., by authority of
President Harrison, made public the i'm
portant action taken by the President un-
der the Canadian retaliation act Of last ses-
sion in partially suspending by proclamation
the free navigation Of the St. Mary's Falls
Canal and imposing toll of twenty cents
ton upon all freight passing through
that canal from Canadian ports. The Presi-
dents proclamation, though constructively
executed in Washington City, was signed by
him at Loon LAKE, n. Y, and forwarded to
Washington for PRONUNCIATION. This action
has been taken on account Of the discrimina-
tions made by the Canadian Government
against American commerce.
The proclamation recites that by an act
of Congress approved July %. 1892, it is
provided that ION and after the first day of
August, eighteen hundred and ninety-two,
whenever aud so often as the President
shall be satisfied that the passage through
any canal or lock connected with
the navigation Of the st. Lawrence River,
the great lakes, or the waterways connecting
the same, Of any vessels OF the United
States, or of cargoes or passengers in transit
to any port OF the United States is pro-
hibited or is made difficult or burdensome
by the imposition Of tolls or otherwise,
which, in view Of the free passage
through the St. Mary's Falls Canal now per-
lnitted to vessels Of all Nations, he shall
deem to be reciprocally unjust and unrea-
sonable he shall have the power, and it
shall be his duty. to suspend, by proclama-
ton to that effect. for sucn time and to
such extent fncluding absolute prohibitioni,
as he shall deem just, the right of free
Canal, SO far as it relates to ves-
sells owned by ahe subjects of the Govern
ment so discriminating against the citizens,
ports, or vessels Of the United States or to
any cargoes, portions Of cargoes, or
passengers in transit to the ports OF the
Government making such discrimination
whether carried in vessels of the United
States or OF other Nations"
The proclamation rectes further provi-
sion of the act Of Congress- and continues:
"Whereas, The Government Of the Do
minion Of Canada imposes toll amounting
to about twenty cents per ton on all freight
passing through the Welland, and also
further toll on all vessels OF the United
States and on all passengers in transit to a
port Of the Unitet States, all OF which tolls
are without rebate, anu
"Whereas, The Government Of the Do
min;on OF Canada, in accordance with an
order in council Of April 4, 1892, refunds
eighteen cents per ton, Of tae twsnty-cent
toll at the Welland Canal, on wheat, Indian
corn, peas. barley, rye, oats, fax-seed and
buckwheat, upon condition that they are
originally shipped for and carried to Montreal
or some port east OF Montreal for export.
and that, If transhipped at an intermedi-
ate point, such transshipment is made within
the Dominion Of Canada, but allows no such
nor any other rebate on said products when
shipped to part Of the United States or
when carried to Montreal for export II
traushipped within the United States, and
Whereas, The Government Of the Do
minion of Canada by said system Of rebate
and otherwise discriminates against the cit
liens OF the United States in the use OF said
Welland Canal in violation Of the provisions
Of article 81 Of the treaty Of Washington
concluded May s, 1871; and
Nv hereas said Wellani Canal is con-
nected with the navigation Of the Great
Lakes and am satisfied that the passage
through it Of cargoes in transit to ports Of
the United States is made difficult and bur-
densome by said discriminating system OF
rebate and otherwise, and is reciprocally
unjust and unreasonable.
NOW, therefore, I, Benjamin Harrison.
President OF the United States Of America,
by virtue Of the power to that end con-
ferred upon me by said act of Congress,
approved July 26, 1892, do hereby direct
CQat ITOm duI dlVcl oepoSiaoSA !, ASo@, ou.
til further notice, a toll Of twenty cents per
ton be levied, collected and paid on all
freight of whatever kind or description
passing through the st. Mary's Falls Canal
in transit To any port Of the Dominion OF
Canada whether carried in vessels of the
United States or OF other Nations; and to
that extent do hereby suspend from and
after said date the right OF free passage
through said st. Mary's Falls Canal OF any
and ali cargoes or portions of cargoes in
transit TO Canadian ports"
A batch OF Correspondence accompanied
the proclamation. 1t shows that Canada
was willing TO aooiish the rebate on tolls at
the end OF the present season, but that this
was not satisfactory to the United States
Government.
The Secretary OF State, however, IN
formed Mr. Herbert. charge of the British
Legation, that should toe Canadian Gov-
arnlnsnt give notice OF its decision. 70
abolish the determinations now complalne1
Of, the proclamation would be suspenoeo
ix ,pit, c,,ch aholiEiOD-