Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1892-06-23
Trouble With Canada.

hs'A
paper sent to the Senate to-day an an
swer to the resolution of February oath
last calling for infor On relative to
reciprocity negotiat," With Canada,
the President oun .~le death knell
of that project and plants a mile post in
American history by deliberately in eff
feet recommending thar Congress pro
coed to retaliate upon the Dominion for
its persistent denial of the rights OF
American citizens, guaranteed by the
treaty of Washington in connection with
the navigation of Canadian canals. The
failure of the reciprocity negotiations is
due to the position taken by the Cana
dian representatives at their recent con-
ference in Washington with Secretary
Blaine and John W. Foster, which, in
effect. was that it would be impossible
for the Canadian government, in view OF
its present political relations and obliga-
tons. to extend to American goods pre-
ferential treatment oveT those of other
countries. AS Canada was part of the
British Empire they did not consider it
competent for the Dominion government
to enter into any commercial arrange
ment with the United States, from the
benefits of which Great Britain and its
colonies should be excluded.
The President says that it is not for
this government to argue against this
announcement of Canadian official opin-
ion. 1T must be accepted, however, l
think. as a statement of the condition
which places an inseparable barrier in
the way of the attainment of that large
and beneficial intercourse and reciprocal
trade which might otherwise be deyel-
oped between the United States and the
Dominion. From documents accompany
ing the Presidents letter it appears that
an effort was made by Blaine and Foster,
at the recent conference, to induce the
Canadian ministry to repeal and abandon
the drawback Of IS cents a ton given to
wheat tgrain) that is carried through
Canadian canals to Montreal and shipped
therefrom to Europe. By American rail
ways running from Ogdensburg and
Oswego and other American ports. ship
pers paid full 70 cents a ton. while in eff
feet those by way of Montreal pay only =
cents. 1t was understood that the Cana
dian ministers, who were all three mem
bers of the cabinet. would see to the
withdrawal of this discrimination.
Instead of abrogating this drawback
the Canadian ministry, after the return
of the commissioners from their visit to
Washington on April 18th, reissued, with
out any communication with this govern
ment. All order continuing the discrimi-
nation. by which the rebate of Is cents a
ION is allowed upon grain going to Mon
treal, but not to American ports, and re-
fusing this rebate even to grain going to
Montreal, if transhipped at an American
port. The President, adopting the Ian
guage of the solicitor of the treasury
department upon this action OF Canada,
says that these orders as to canal tolls
and rebates in direct violation of article
p of the treaty of 1891, seems to be clear.
1t is wholly ~evasive to say that there is
no discrimination between Canada and
American vessels; that rebate is allowed
to both without favor upon grain carried
through to Montreal or t%ranshipped at a
Canadian port 20 Montreal. The treaty
runs to secure to citizens of the United
States the use Of the Welland, st. Law
renee and otter canals in the Dominion
on terms Of equality with the inhabitants
Of the Dominion It was intended to
give consumers in the United States, to
our people engaged in railroad transpor-
tation and to those exporting from our
ports equal terms in passing their mer-
chandise through these canals. This
absolute equality of treatment was a
consideration for concession on the part
of this government made in the same
article of the treaty and which have been
faithfully kept. 1t is a matter OF regret
that the Canadian government has not
responded promptly to our request for
the removal of these discriminating tolls.
The papers submitted show how serious
the loss inflicted is upon our lake vessels
and upon some of our lake ports.
! In view of the fact that the Canadian
commissioners still contest with the
| United States the claim that these tolls
are discriminating and insist that they
constitute no violation of the letter or
spirit of article u of the treaty, it would
seem appropriate that Congress. if the
view held by the executive is approved,
should with deliberation and yet with
promptness take such steps as may be
necessary to secure the just rights of our
citizens.
'.In view ct the delays which have
already taken place in transmitting this
| TO Congress / have not felt justified in
awaiting a further communication from
! the government of Canada, which was
suggested in the recent conference.
Should any proposition relating to this
matter be received. it will be immedi-
ately submitted for the consideration OF
the Senate; and if forwarded within the
time suggestt.l will undoubtedly antici-
pate any final action by Congress-.
Voluminous documents accompanying
the Presidents letter compose the history
of all negotiations with the British colo
MES to the Northward upon these two
subjects-reciprocity and canal tolls.