The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1897-08-08

ish vessels going into Alaskan waters
being compelled TO discharge their pas
sengers and freigh. at Juneau. In other
words. the demand 10 for prompt retaiia-
ton for an injury which II designed to be
Inflicted upon American merchants and
American immigrants. Before that retail
iatory policy is put into effect, however.
directly or through the British foreign
Office sound the Dominion authorities to
see whether or not these proposed oppres-
siye measures might not be withdrawn.
On the question OF the abstract right Of
Canada TO impose duties upon any class
OF goods brought into the country there OF
course. can be no argument. but there are
certain pecuiar,ries surrounding the pres
ent situation which make It one calling, in
the interests Of all parties and both coun-
tries. for 6 most liberal Interpretation Of
the laws and for the extension Of the ut-
most courtesy to the citizens Of one coun-
try temporarily sojourning In or passing
through the borders Of the other.
The situation IL absolutely unprecedent-
ed. A sudden discovery OF abnormaliy
rich gold fields has been made In g far-on
corner Of Canada, into which there exists
practically no transportation lines. There
is an enormous immigration Of persons
from all over the world into that section.
1t has been announced and reiterated un.
I'll il has been borne home conclusively to
all pranased Immigrants 20 fha paw cold
fields. that unless they carry In with them
supplies sufficient to last six months or a
year they will find themselves In danger
OF starvation. because the few merchants
on the ground are unable to supply the
wants of the present population OF the
facilities. will be absolutely unable TO get
provisions in the country liz quantity SUM-
cient to supply the prospective demand.
The miners who are taking personal out
fits into the Yukon country are doing So
solely because under existing circum-
stances they must do SO or starve. Every
thing which they take is intended solely
for their own personal use. They would
gladly save themselves from the onerous
burden and cost thus thrown upon them.
IL they could be assured of an opportunity
TO purchase such supplies when they
reach the new gold fields in the North
west Territories II Canadian merchants
with Canadian goods. or any merchants
with any duty-paid goods. were on the
ground ready to supply the miners wants
then there would be both reason and jus
tlee In q policy which would prevent the
miners from eaupping themselves else
where and evading the payment or duties.
thus securing an unfair advantage over
those who do pay duties. But no such
situation exists. II is 4 question OF taking
IN supplies for personal use running the
risk OF starvation on failure TO do So or
keeping cut OF the country altogether.
This Is 4 purely temporary emergency.
By she coming summer transportation IA
cilities Will BE enormously enlarged. msr-
chants viii be on the grounds with stocks
o. goods. on all Of which. without Quss-
:ioa. duty VIII be paid 10 TIE Canadian
authorities. there VIII be no necessity .or
miners to carry personal OUTFITS OF any
great size. and II they do 50. no excuse
would exis; for their nos paying duty
thereon. Eu; while this emergency does
exist. {, would seem that II the matter
! were properly presented by the auther;-
/ ties az Washington 20 the Dominion au-
/ thoFl,ies, a mobilization % the oppressive
order might Ire secured. Il !sa principle
recognized IN the enforcement OF both the
/ Canadian ard ths American tariff laws
/ thai goods intended sc:siy for personal
+ use are freely PASSED. In the possession OF
( travellers and immigrants. unless there "a
i q manifest attsmp; st aes-na3snx toe rev-
F euue- Wearing apparel FOR personal use
f has never been subjected 10 duty. excep,
1 when brought Into a country IN excvh.-
| ;aat Quantities An opened box OF cigars
I or bottle o: liquor never attracts the a.
( seVtios CT tic mast valiant customs Of
/ fcer, a->hough, by a rigid and exact sol-
/ loving OF ire letter OF the statute. such
sr;ieses arc subject 30 eo1ascatson. TIE
lun>a Aaske: 90 a traveller from Canals.
( coaliue @cross the border 70 take an
+ American ral,road for tao o. three GAYS
+ ssavel. wausa naturally and as a matter
s g course ae unTnolss-ea
Tais e r-ee2seiy TIE situation presented
+ IN ne cases Of The lrsa grants 70 The
C1ordyk~D Taey are taxing wssh them
noshiag sxcept articles q personal Use
nosans Ger sails o. barter. Trey are ,r---
f, T.eTaTssy compelled % take these articles
ar iSEss quantities. ees2Gss ;Aare are 10
exiting sseane % supplying teelr wants
after t2sey reach go country - vhfe.
shsy are So9n., They are neither ron-
asslag wtta Canadian merchants nor SEX
inc 10 aasraE3 tAe Canadian revs-re
{ Il ~Sale seers "a, 8: these r.a..~-s
vera properly ana dlsssasSsens;&sy pre-
scented - tes authorities =. Ottawa. sn-
/ ssrslessen& soCg4 - Eo-taooSn.zs aasxct-