The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1892-06-22
TO BRING CANADAT0TERMS
PRESIDENT HARRISON EAVORs A
POLICY OF RETALIATION
Because the Dominioa Will Not Grant
American Citizens Proper Rights In the
Navigation OF Canadian Canals Granted
Nv TrsSty-The COrrsspondsnos-Othsr
Washington Matters.

formation relative to reciprocity negotia-
tons with Canada, the president sounds
the death knell of that project and plants
a mile post in American history by delib-
erately, in effect. recommending that con-
gress proceed to retaliate upon the Domin-
ion 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
president, in his communication, says that
his answer to the resolution was delayed
at the suggestion of the secretary of state
until the conference Of the 3rd inst. took
place between the secretary and the British
minister and the Hon. Mackenzie Rowell
and the Hon. George L. Foster. The
Hon. John ". Foster also appeared on be-
half of the government of the United
States at the request of the secretary of
state. The president says:
The result Of the conference, as TO the orac-
ticability of arranging reciprocity treaty with
the dominion OF Canada is clearly stated IN the
letter Of Mr.. Blaine, and WAS anticipated. /
think, by him aud every other thoughtful
American who had considered the subject y
reciprocity treaty limited 10 the exchange of
natural products would have been such only IN
form. The benefits OF such treaty would
have insured almost wholly to Canada. Prevl-
Gus experiments on this line had been unsstis-
factory to this government. a treaty that
should be reciprocal in TACT and OF mutual adj
vantage must necessarily have embraced
important list OF manufactured articles, and
have secured to the United States free or
favored Introduction OF these articles into
Canada as against the world but il was not be-
Heyed that the Canadian ministry 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;
In the second place, il seemed 10 be impossible for
The Canadian government, ia view OF it, present
political relations and obligations, 10 extend 10
American goods preferential treatment over those
Of other Countries. As canada wss part Of the
British empire, they did not consider il competent
Tor the Dominion government 10 enter INFO
mercial arrangement with the United States from
the benefits OF which Great Britain aud its colonies
should be excluded. II is not for thi. government TO
argue against this of Canadian Official
Dpiuion IL must be accepted, however. think,
HE statement OF condition which places and in
superable barrier in the way OF the attainment Of
that large and beneficial intercourse aud reciprocal
trade which might otherw DO developed between
Ihe United States and Dominion.
It will be noticed that Mr.. Blaine reports,
Is one of the results of the conference,
informal engagement to repeal and abandon
The drawback OF loc ton given to wheat
igrain) that is carried through to Montreal and
shipped therefTom TO Europe. By the Ameri-
Eau railways running from OZdensburg and
OswegO and other American ports the shippers
paid the full zoe a ton. while in eject those by
The way Of Montreal pay only 20. Ii
derstOOd that the Canadian commissioners,
who were all three members of the cabinet,
would see 10 the withdrawal of this diserImi-
nation.
From the report Of the recent conference by
Mr. Foster 1t will be seen that the Canadian
commissioners declare that this statement does
not conform TO their understanding, aud that
the only assurance they had intended 10 give
was that the complaint of the government
Of the United States should be taken into con-
sideratiOn by the Canadian ministry on their
return the other way. Mr. Foster. who was
present at the first conference. confirms the
statement of NJ. Blaine. While this uisun-
derstandlng Is unfortunate, the more serious
phase OF the situation is that instead OF re-
scinding the dscriminat ting canal tolls of which
this government OmplClns. the Canadian min
istry, alter the return Of the commissioners
from their visit TO Washington on April 4,
reissued, without any communication, the or
der by which a rebate Of lSe a ton is allowed
upon grain going to Montreal but not to Amer
loan ports and refusing this rebate even TO
grain going to Montreal, ii trans-shipped at an
American port. The report OF Mr. Partridge.
the solicitor Of the department OF state, which
accom- anes the letter of the secretary OF state,
states these determinations very clearly. That
these orders to cana tolls and rebates are
IN direct violation of art. q OF the treaty of
ISL, seems 70 be clear.
liz Is wholly evasv to say that there 10 no
discrimination between Car zdsan aud Ameri-
can vessels; that the rebate is allowed to both
without favor upon grain carried through TO
Montreal or trans-shIpped O. q Canadian port
TO Montreal. The treaty runs: TO secure to
the citizens of the United States the use of the
Welland, -. Lawrence and other canals in the
Dominion on terms OF equality with the inhabi-
tsnts OF the Dominion" Ii intended TO
give consumers In the United States TO our
oeOp.e engaged IA railroad transportation. and
30 those exporting from our ports equal terms
IN passing their merchandise through these
canals. This absolute equality of treatment
vas the consideration for concessions on the
part of this government made in the same
article OF the treaty and which have been faith
fully kept Ii is a matter OF regret that I'd e
Canadian government has not responded
promptly to our request for the removal OF
those discriminating tolls. The papers sub
nitted 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 COM
Tnissioners still contest with Us the claim that
these tolls are discriminating and insist that
they constitute no violation OF the letter or
spirit Of art. q OF the treaty il would seem APP
propriate that congress- il the view held by
the executive is approved. should, with DELHI
GRAFTON aud yet with tpTomptness, take sucn
steps as NAV be necessary to secure the lust
rights OF our citizens. In view of the delays
which have taken place In transmitting this
correspondence 70 congress, i have not felt
testified in awaiting the further comm nicatio
from the government of Canada which was sug-
gested in the recent conference. Should any
proposition leading 10 this matter be received
il will be mInediatsy submitted for the con-
liberation OF the senate, and forwarded within
The time suggested, will undoubtedly sntiei-
pate the final action by congress.
The president inclOses a report from
Secretary Blaine and also one from Mr..
John w. Foster on the subject.
Action conferred upon the executive
the power through negotiation TO very
promptly secure the repeal of the prohi-
bition upon American pork which for
ten years had practically excluded that
important product from most OF the con-
tinental countries OF Europe. But it not
only brought about this result; it like
wise enabled the executive 10 a reciproc-
ity arrangement. first with Germany and
afterward with Austria. by which in re-
turn for the admission into the United
States of sugar we obtain in return admis-
sion into those countries at reduced duties
of large proportion of American agri-
cultural and other products. Negotiations
on lines of sec. of the tariff act have
been in progress in the City of Mexico be-
tween the United States minister and q
commissioner of the Mexican government
but no other result has been obtained.