New-York tribune., 1896-02-02

CANADA AND THE BERNE CONVENTION.
Mr. Ford informs us in his London cable let
fer printed elsewhere in this mornings 1rb
une that new and serious trouble has arisen over
the Canadian copyright question 1t had been
supposed that that question was practically sci
tied Mir Hall Cainc had prepared compro
mise bill aS a substitute for that of lSN' Wllth
seemed generally acceptable and in n fair way
for enactment 1t was satisfactory that Is TO
say. to the best sentiment in Canada. 10 the
authors and the Colonial Office of Great Britain
and TO writers ana publishers in The lntcd
States Now however. France raises vigorous
objection To it, or u that portion "f II Known
rs the manufacturing clause Numerous or
caniZations Of French authors and publishers
have united in formal protest against it, ana
This has been accepted Nv the French Foreign
Office. and otii icially presented to each party 10
the Berne Convention. Notice is thus served
upon Canada that she must either omit 'hc
.monuflcturinc clause from her law or be
excludcI from the Rcrnc Convention and its
benefits.
With the logic Of The French contention little
fault can be found 1t is Il true, if homely. say
Inc that no one can eIt his cake and have IT,
too Canada cannot remain in the Berne 'oh-
vention and at the same time 90 outside Of H. or
enact laws contrary To lis provisions II France
stands upon the letter Of the law, she can d"no'-
less carry her point at Canada'> eXp"ns" ~
, MATTER of fact. there is no especial reason why
sho sbou,d do So cycent for the sake OF example.
rho Canadian manufacturing clause would do
u,,I, harm or work little hardship. 10 French
or other Continental interests. Europe could
ian is ,.pnr
ouov il TO stand and tactly ignore j. Hut that
vould of course bc Il most vicious pr'''u'h'
IN So, For If Canada were permitted To violate
the Convention and Yet remain in II, "th'r couh-
tries could 10 the same, until the Wh"I' ''h-
ven1ion was nullifcd On that ground the acton
If France is to he approved. no matter how
much The cause or the results Of it may be re-
gretted.
Canada Is thus confronted by an awkward
dilemma. If sh" abandons the "manufac'nrihs
clause" she exposes her printing ana publishing
interests to ruin Her Government VIII Scarc'N
venture 10 do that Yet if she retains the clau'P
she j. read ont of the Belnc Convention 'ah
she afford that: Or will the Imperial Govern
mcn1 hermit it? There j.. il is true. the exam
n]c of the United States. which VIII AT ms
inncrurc be much referred TO. But this country
is far br,ter able to stand alone than 'anld''
That which is possible 10 u> Is lmpoSSioie Il"
her. She has not for her authors ana pupllSl''S
The vast home market the United States AliordS'
There is no need OF reopenng discussion aS -
tho ethics of the United States foreign coNrlEh'
law The curious spectacle was observed IaN'
week Of an American writer bitterly denouncing
IL ia 4 British audience as 'le@ailZcd piracy
and of an eminent British author on III" same
occasion defending II with equal zeal. W" nave
never professcd to regard the law OF lN'l aS
norfcr1 But il is 50 vast an Improvement upon
The system il replaced as 10 be beyond all com
narjscn with il. and il Is not conceivable 'h"'
..thrcc hundred American authors Of any r'Pn''
or character are To be found who would approve
such incorporate dcnunciallon Of il ~ 'hrif al-
legcl representative INDUCED in last week III
London. If Canada decides 10 Try standing upon
the same ground with this country in regard -
copyright. she will not be subject here, al
least-to criticism on the score Of morals. hu'
yc are inclined 10 think she will find II diiilcui'
to maintain her place on the same ground uh
less she also gets under the same flag