Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-11-12
Arranging for Reciprocity in Tariff
Rates.
SEEKING CLOSER TRADE RELATIONS
Mr.. Hasson to Confer with Sir VIII
frid Laurier.
AN INFORMAL DISCUSSION

Definite arrangements have been made foI
taking up the subject of a reciprocity treaty
between the United States and Canada. ano.
to this end meetings have been fixed be-
tween Mr.. John w. kasson, who is special.
ly delegated by President Mckinley to con
duct reciprocity negotiations and Sir VIII
frid Laurier, the Canadian premier, and Sir
Louis Davies. minister of marine.
This is the result OF the long and friendly
conference yesterday between Secretary
Sherman and Sir Wilfrid. The meeting will
be held during the present visit Of the
Canadian ofiic .als, but no exact time for II
has yet been liked, as 1t will depend some
what on the time which can be spared from
the seal conference.
The arrangements also contemplate tax
ing up the questions of border immigration,
north Atlantic hsher.es. lake fisheries and
all other subjects affecting the two coun-
tries. The meeuns with Mr. kasson, how
ever, will be confined to reciprocity, as he
is delegated By the President to treat on
that subject alone. At this meeting IL is
proposed TO talk over the general plan OF
treaty the articles which can be brought
under it, etc.
1t is not expected that the treaty itself
can be matured dun. ng the present visit OF
the Canadian officials. the desire being to
arrive al some common understanding al
this time, and then perfect the details
later.
The dinner at the White House last night
assisted toward a friendly settlement of
pending questions. There We're no toasts
ana no speeches at the dinner, but at its
conclusion the Canadian guests accom-
panied the President and his cabinet ad-
visers to The blue room. where wholly in
formal and personal exchange of views oc-
CURED. These were on the same friendly
lines as those at the formal conference be.
tween the Secretary of State and Sir Wilfrid
earlier in the day. and the general senti.
ment prevailed that the present time was
opportune for more cordial intercourse be-
tween this country and Canada. The an
Eouncement of the proposed meetings with
Mr.. kasson followed this morning.
In view of these meetings IL is pointed
out that much nisapprehension exists as
TO the preferences which the Canadian
tariff law gives to Great Britain. The law
n axes TO mention cf Great Britain. Ii has
two schedules maximum and minimum
At present Great Britain enjoys the mimi
mum rates. but the same are open to all
other countries. the United States included.
and there is nothing i'm the law which con-
templates giving Great Britain the exclu-
sive benefits of these lower rates. IL is
understood to be the view OF the Canadian
officials that the markets OF the United
States and Canada are so closely con-
Eected geographically that IL is essential
that these countries look to each other.
ld'HeT tldn 10 F'dfhets lNOuSaIus OF miles
distant and difficult of access. This. IL is
said, implies no undue benefits or dscrimi-
nations toward the United States or Great
Britain, but merely a recognition of sub
stantial interests which geographical con-
ditions impose.
The Bering sea conference was resumed
at the State Department today. All the
representatives were present except Sir
Wilfrid Laurier who was otherwise en-
gagged. He spent the morning at the Cath
Ollie University. The conference was pro-
tracted, and the strictest secrecy is OBJ
served regarding the proceedings.