The herald., 1897-11-17
CANADIAN GAME OF BLUFF

Sir Wilfrid Laurier. the Canadian
premier, and his associate commission
err were received informally a day or
two ago with such candid hospitality
by President Mckinley and by members
of the cabinet at Washington as to lead
the London Chronicle to see in the recep-
ton evidence that Canada, England and
the United States are, as the London
Chronicle phrased it. ''on the eve of
most happy change of attitude toward
one another" But had the Chronicle
been better advised of the nature of the
demands which the Canadian represen-
tativcs were prepared to make of the
Washington authorities that paper
would have been, in all probability, less
optimistic in it's prosnostication touch
ing the political relations to each other
Of the countries mentioned.
1t seems that Secretary Sherman has
been Informed in so many words by Sir
Wilfrid Laurier, first, that under no
circumstances win the Canadian rep
resentatives consent to treat the seal
question upon its merits.
Second, that no settlement of that
question can be made without at the
same time settling the alien Labor law,
the disputed fisheries on the lakes and
the adjustment Of duties on Canadian
agricultural products as effected by the
new tariff
But this is not ALL The Canadian pre-
mier, we are told. has notified the state
department that under no circumstances
will any reciprocity treaties with the
United States be negotiated which will
conflict with the clauses in the Cana
dian tariff giving preference to Great
Britain. That is to say. they will not
consent to allow this country to compete
with Great Britain for the Canadian
market while they demand that Canada
be clothed by The United States with
every privilege accorded the most
favored nation"
This, to say the least. is exceedingly
cool. But it is believed, in diplomatic
circles in Washington. to be only q little
game of bluff, which our Canadian
cousins are resorting to just to see. what
sort Of hand our government holds.
Considering. however, the proximity
of Canada to the territory of Uncle Sam
ard the daily intercourse between the two
countries ii is marvellous that Sir Will
frid l-auriar has not q clearer idea of the
government at Washington than to sup
pose that any such q procedure as that
outlined above would meet with else
than rejection by the United States
Canada must descend from her high
horse or her representatives will return
to Ottawa in the mood of the king of
France, when having marched up the
hill hc then marched down again. A
game Of bluff cuts no ice" at Wash
ington.
He that would have equity must d.
equity, says the old legal maxim. and
ii Canada desires reciprocity with this
country she must DO the fair and square
thing or so without her bread and
butter
can 1t be possible that the social cour-
tesies shown the Canadians by President
Mckinley and other distinguished citi
zens at the capital have been miscon-
strued by the official representatives of
"Our Lady of the Snows?' If so. their
minds will be quickly disabused. A late
dispatch from Washington indicates
that President Mckinley appreciates
the fact that vigorous commercial war
fare is necessary to bring Canada to her
senses. and that keeping a high tariff
wall between that country and the
United states is suggested if not justi-
fed by the extraordinary attitude as
sumed in this instance by the Canadian
commissioners.
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