The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1897-11-09
AN IMPORTANT VISIT
Canadian Premier Is Coming to the
United States
MANY QUESTIONS MAY BE SETTLED
Which Have Been Vexatious to Both
Countries.
a BEARING UPON RECIPROCITY
Trade Relations IL One OF the prime
BEARING UPON RECIPROCITY
Trade Relations IL One OF the Prin.
cipal Objects OF Sir wilfred
Laurier'a Journey.

| Washington. November S.-The authori-
morrow of Sir wilfred Laurier, premier Of
Canada; Sir Louis Davis, minister Of marine
in the Laurier cabinet, and other officials
of the Dominion is to have an important
bearing, not only on the Bering sea settle
ment, but on all the pending questions
| which have been sources of International
complications between the United States
and Canada, namely: the passage OF alien
laborers TO and from Canada: the North
Atlantic fisheries question; the presence OF
many Americans in the Klondike territory
belonging to Canada aud In the mining re-
gions of British Columbia; the fisheries
trouble along the Great Lakes, the bonding
! privilege granted Canadian railroads; the
| controversy over rights on the Frazer river,
British Columbia, and In the Puget Sound,
and also the question OF a reciprocity ar
rangement between the United States and
Canada.
| lhere is direct and definite information
that Sir Wilfred comes prepared to take up
all the questions, and, II possible, include
Them in one general settlement, whereby
the constant friction they have engendered
may be overcome. On some Of these sub
jects he viii confer with President Nc
kinney and IN at least one OF them-that
| relating to alien laborers crossing the Dor
dtr--te wild suggest such mutual modifica-
! ton Of present restrictions as In his opinion
will be of material advantage to the thou
sands OF Americans new in the klondike
and the British Columbia mining country
ana AT the same time will be OF advantage
TO CANADA along the eastern border.
The essential features of Sir Wilfreds
mission were communicated TO the officials
here by persons fully advised of the pre-
mier's plans, and it can be said that the
suggestions that the decks be cleared of
existing disputes between Canada and the
United States met with iavor from the ad-
minstration.
While the Boring sea settlement occa-
stoned the visit OF the Canadian premier,
the Canadian authorities attach much less
importance TO 1t than they do to the other
questions mentioned. They say that the
Canadian sealing interest Is confined al
most entirely to the far Western territory,
where tie sealers fit cut, and that con-
siderable percentage of the So called Can
adam sealers hail from Seattle. San Fran
cisco and other American ports, who fit
out in Canadian ports un,le,' tie British
nag. What basls OF settlement can be
reached is nOa disclosed. but little doubt 1t
Is said. is felt by the Canadians that an
amioable adjustment can be made. Among
the plans suggested is that OF an indemnity
large enough TO permit Canada to buy cut
the sealers and retire them from business.
With this done the United States, Russia,
japan, Great Britain and Canada would be
together in suppression vf the pelagic
sealing There Is no determination, how
ever. 10 advance this plan in preference 10
others, and the scope OF the settlement viii
remain In doubt until the negotiations
open.
Sir Wilfred Laurier and his associotes
"lll urge strongly that The border immigra
tlon question be settled and on this point
viii confer with the president Under the
premier's direction the Canadian pariia-
ment Passed an alien emigration law last
spring. by which American contractors and
American laborers were debarred from
competing in the work on the Crows Nest
Pass railway governmental undertaking
lin Western Canada
On the other hand, 1t Is claimed by the
| canadians that a'>cut 5000 Americans are
IN me klondike territory belonging to Can
AGA, ara mat fully 10000 American laborers
are working In the mines of British Column
bia. The United States immigration laws
IL is asserted are administered with harsh
ness along The Canadian border and are a
caily source of irritation.
Sir Wilfred Laurer will suggest that the
causes OF irritation be removed on both
sides and il lis understood he is expected IN
the klondike and other regions If the adj
ministration of the American law is made
more lenient In this connection also the
co-opeIatcn OF the United States will be
sought In plans of the Canadian authorities
10 make an easy route to the Klondike. The
proposed route is by boat from Fort Nvran-
gel to the Sdcken river which Is in terri
tory belonging to the United States and I'M
the Sticken via T1sland lake TO the Yukon
river. and thence to the gold firsds As
the Sticken riyer is on American soil, II is
desired 20 overcome any possible contro-
versy. although the treaty y. Washington
| is said to make the navigation of the river
free TO the Canadians and Americans alike.
The need OF this short route Under the
patronage Of The Dominion ls fit by the
| Canadian premier 10 be Operative in view
OF Information reaching them that 5000
! Australians will come to the Klondike in
| the spring. 4 total OF $4,000 co,onists Is
expected TO head that way.
| On the matter OF reciprocity. the gen.
eral purpose II the Negotiation will be
10 give The United States the beneft Of the
minimum clause OF tho pre7cnt Canadian
VOW In exchange for the 20 ner cent re-
dud.ion allowed under the Dingley law
The desire Of Sir Wilfred and his assn
ciates will b, 70 confne the arrangement
20 few important articles, allowing time
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