The record-union., 1892-06-21
Washington in connection with naviga-

Washington in connection with naviga-
ton on the Canadian canals.
The President says the answer to the
| resolution was delayed at the suggestion
| of the Secretary OF State until the confer
ence of June Sd with the Canadian rep
resentatiyes took place.
The President says in part: 1.-The re-
suit of the conference as to the practical
| blllty of arranging a reciprocity treaty
with the Dominion of Canada is clearly
stated in Mr.. Blaine's letter, and was an
uclpated, l think, by him and by every
thoughtful American who had considered
the. subject. a reciprocity treaty, linn
lteu TO the exchange OF natural pro-
ducts, would have been such only in
name, for the benefits of such a treaty
would have Injured almost wholly to
Canada. Previous experiments on this
me were unsatisfactory to this Govern
ment.
"A treaty that should be reciprocal in
tact and OF mutual advantage must nee
eSSarlly have embraced an important list
OF manufactured articles, and secure
10 the United States free or favored
Introduction of these articles into
Canada as against the void, but it
was not believed that the Canadian Min
lstry was ready to propose or assent to
such an arrangement. The conclusion Of
the Canadian Commissioners is stated in
the report of Mr.. Blaine as follows:
SIN the second place, it seemed Impossible
for the Canadian Governments in view OF its
present political relations and obligations, to
extend 10 American goods preferential treat
lnell over those of other countries as Canada
was part OF the British Empire. They did
not consider ii competent for the Domin-
ION Government TO enter into any commercial
arrangements with the United States from
the benetitS OF which Great Britain and the
colonies would be excluded
''It is not for this Government" said
the President, ''tO argue against this an
nouncement of the Canadian officials
opinion. 1t must be accepted, however, I
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 de-
yeloped between the United States and
the Dominion. Mr.. Blaine reports as one
OF the results of the conference an in
formal engagement to repeal and aban-
don the draWback of eighteen cents ton
given to grain carried through Montreal
and shipped thence to Europe by Ameri-
can railways running from OeQenSburg
Gswego and other American ports. The
| shippers paid iull twenty cents a ton.
while III effect those by way OF Montreal
pay only two cents. 1t was understood
that the Canadian Commissioners, who
were members OF the Canadian Cabinet,
/ would see TO the withdrawal of this dis
"a report of the recent conference by
Foster shows that the Canadian Com
mlssiouers declare that this does not con-
form 30 their understanding of the mat
ter; that all they intended was that the
complaint be taken into consideration by
the Ministry. Foster, on the contrary,
confirms Blaine's statement. This mis-
understanding was unfortunate, but the
serious phase Of the situation is that the
Canadian Ministry, instead of resembling
the discriminating canal tolls, reiSSued,
after the return of the Commissioners,
and without any communication with
this Government, the order continuing
the discrimination
The President says the order was in di-
rect violation of Article q of the treaty OF
1871, which reads: ITO secure citizens of
the United States the use Of the WelIand,
st. Lawrence and other canals in the
Dominion on terms Of equality with the
inhabitants of the Dominion"
1T is a matter OF regret" saws the
President, that the Canadian Govern
ment has not responded promptly to our
request for removal of these discrimi-
mating tolls. The papers submitted show
how serious is the loss indicted upOn
our lake vessels and on some of our lake
ports. In view OF the fact that the Cana
dian Commissioners still contest with us
the claim that these tolls are discriminate
ing, and insist that they constitute no
violation OF the letter or spirit of the
treaty. it would seem appropriate that
Congress, if the view held by the execu-
tive IS approved, should, with delibera-
ton, and yet with promptness, take such
steps as necessary to secure the just rights
OF our citiZeus.'
The President says III view Of the de-
lay which has already taken place, lie
has not felt justified III awaiting 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.