The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1892-12-14

The existing statutes OF the United states 90
not restrain our citizens from taking seals In
tho Pacific Ocean and perhaps should NOT, V i.
citizens OF other nations. l. recommend that
power be given to the President by. procla-
nation to prohibit the taking OF seals In the
north Pacific by American vessels in case,
either as the result of the findings or the tri-
bunal OF arbitration or otherwise, the re-
straints can be applied to the vessels or all
countries.
Commercial Relations with Canada.
During the past year n suggestion was
ceived through the British Minister that the
Canadian Government would like to confer as
to the possibility of eplarging upon terms OF
mutual advantages, the commercial exchanges
OF Canada and of the United States, and con-
ference was held at Washington, with Mr..
Blaine acting for the Government, and the
British Minister at this capital. and three
members OF the Dominion Cabinet acting as
commissioners on the part of Great Britain.
The conference developed the fact that the
Canadian Government was only prepared TO
offer TO the United States In exchange for the
concessions asked the admission OF natural
products. The statement was frankly made
that favored rates could not be given TO the
United States as against The mother country
This admission, which was foreseen nece ssari-
ly terminated the conference upon this ques-
tion. The benefits of an exchange of natural
products would be almost wholly with the
people of Canada. Some other topics of inter-
est were considered in the conference, and
have resulted In the making OF a convention
for examining the Alaskan boundary and the
waters of the Passamaquoddy Bay. adjacent 10
Eastport, Me-. and in the initiation of an ar
rangement for the protection of fish life in the
cOterminous and netghboring waters or our
northern border.
The controversy as to the tolls upon the Wei
land Canal, which was presented TO Congress
failed of adjustment, l felt constrained
TO exexcise the power conferred by the act
Of July 26, 1892, and TO proclaim, a.. suspension
cargoes in transit to ports In Canada. The
Secretary OF the Treasury established such
tolls as were thought to be equivalent TO the
exactions unjustly levied upon our commerce
in the Canadian canals.
III, as we must suppose the political rela-
lions of Canada and the disposition OF the
ed, a somewhat radical revision OF our trade
relations should, think, be made. Our rela-
tions must continue to be intimate, and they
should be friendly l regret to say however
that In many Of the controversies. notably as
those to the fisheries on the Atlantic. the seal
ing interests on the Pacific. and
Great Britain have continuously been
thwarted or retarded by unreasonable
Canada. In the matter of the canal tolls our
treaty rights were fagrantly disregarded. 1t
Is hardly too much to say that the Canadian
Pacific and other railway lines which parallel
our northern boundary are sustained by COM
merce having either It's origin or terminus, or
both, in the United States. Canadian rail-
roads compete with those OF the United
States for our traffic. and without the restraints
of our Interstate commerce act. Their cars
pass almost without detention into and out of
our territory. The Canadian Pacific Railway
brought into the United States from China and
Japan, via British Columbia. during the year
ended June 3D. 1892, 90 239 $50 pounds of freight,
shipped to China and Japan, via British Co
lumbia, 2I06S,3 46 pounds of freight There
were also shipped from the United States
over this road from Eastern ports OF the
United States Government to Pacific ports
during the same year 13,9120l3 POUNDS of
freight, and there were received over this road
NJ In lTTif Qt ~ lfl "a no "a
on the Pacific coast IL, 293 5l5 pounds of freight
Joseph Nimmo, Jr., former chief of the Bureau
Of Statistics. when before the Senate Select
Committee on Relations with Canada, April 26
1890. said that the value OF goods thus trans
ported between different points in the United
States across Canadian territory probably
amounts to sl00,C00,C0 year..
There is no disposition on the part of the
people or the Government of the United States
to interfere in the smallest degree with the
political relations of Canada. That question
Is wholly with her own people. 1t Is time
for US, however, to consider whether, IL the
present state OF things and trend OF things Is
to continue, our interchangcs upon lines of
land transportation should not be put upon a
different basis, and our entire independence of
Canadian canals and OF the st. Lawrence
as an outlet to the sea secured by the
construction of an American canal around the
falls of Niagara and the opening of ship COM
munication between the great lakes and one OF
our own sea-ports. We should not hesitate TO
avail ourselves OF our great natural trade adj
vantages. We should withdraw the support
which Is given to the railroads and steamship
lines OF Canada by traffic that properly be-
longs to us, and no longer furnish the earnings
which tighten the otherwise crushing weight
of the enormous public subsidies that have
been given to them. The subject of the power
of the treasury to deal with this matter with
out further legislation has been under consid-
Grafton, but circumstances have postponed
conclusion. 1t Is probable that a consideration
OF the propriety OF modification or abroga-
ton of the article of the treaty of Washington
relating to the transit OF goods in bond Is in
volved IN any complete solution OF the ques-
ton.
The President proceeds to note the amicable
adjustment of the controversy with the CHILEAN
Government over the Baltimore affair and the
payment by Chill of indemnity for the attack
upon American sailors in he streets or Valpa-
raiso, and he continues have endeavored in
every way to assure our sister republics of
Central and South America that the United
States Government and ITS people have only
the most friendly disposition toward them all
L have believed, however. while holding
these sentiments in the greatest sincerity, that
we must insist upon just responsibility for
any injuries inflicted upon our official repre-
sentatives or upon our citizens. This issist-
ence, kindly and justly, but firmly made, will
believe, promote peace aud mutual respect.
The President commends the projected sub
marine cable to Hawaii, and tells Congress
that we should before this have availed our
selves of the concession made many years ago
to this Government for harbor and naval sta
tion at Pearl River"
The friendly act of this government. the
message continues in expressing to the gov
eminent of Italy its Teprobation ani abhor-
renee or the lyncl1ng or Italian SUBJECTS In
New Orleans by the payment of 1885, 900 francs
or S2i 5000. was accepted by the King of Italy
with every manifestation of gracious appre-
citation, and the incident has been highly pro-
motive of mutual respect and goodwill
The message touches lrlefiy upon the recent
troubles on the Mexican border, which afford
ed this Government an opportunity TO show
it's goodwill toward the sister republic, and to
negotiations pending with Spain for the pro-
lection OF American miss ionaries in the Caro-
line islands, a satisfactory termination OF
which is anticipated.
repeat with great earncstness the recon-
mendation which i have made in several pre-
vious messages that prompt and adequate
support be given to the American company
engaged in the cons truction of the Nicaragua
ship canal. IL Is impossible to overstate the
value from every standpoint of this great en-
tcrprise and L hope that there may be time
even in this Congress, TO give it an impetus
that will insure the early completion OF the
canal and secure to the United States its
proper relation to IL when completed.
The brussels Conference.
The Congress has been already advised that
the invitations OF this government for the as
sembling of an international monetary con-
ference to consider the question of an enlarged
issue Of silver was accepted by the nations to
which they were issued. j have not doubted
and have taken occasion TO express that be-
lief, as well in the invitations issued for
this conference as In my public message,
that the free coinage Of silver upon an
agreed international ratio would greatly pro-