The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-11-16
SIR WILFRID GOING O NJ
RECIPROCITY TT CANADA AZ FA1
OFF As BEFORE HE CAME

In Pact. the so-Calicd Negotiations Were OnIv
Inrornai Talks on the s~uAject-Cannaa ne
paore Ansious Than We Are for Reciprocal
Trade Uniess She Gets as much 40 she Gives
WASHINGTON. Nov. 15.-Rcciproclty with
Canada, as q result Of the so.called negotiations
in Washington. is no nearer accomplishment
than It was before Sir wiltrid Laurier came
here a week ago. Sir Wilfrid is going back TO
Ottawa tomorrow. after n very pleasant, n
improbable, visit to the American capital.
Tho statement Is made authoritatively that
the discussions between Sir Wilfrid and
tho State Department OF tho subject Of tariff
reciprocity have,never progressed further than
q nero exchange Of views az to whether 10
would not be for the mutual advantage Of the
United States and the Dominion to make a TO
ciprocal tariff arrangement. Sir Wilfrid has
not been any moro anxious to make
such an arrangement than wcre tho rep
resentatives OF the United States. unless
advantageous concessions could be obtained.
He indicated clearly that Canada would cxpeco
to receive quito as much as she gave. In fact,
the Canadian Premier did not commit himself
to such an extent that the Administration could
congratulate itself on Tho prospect Of an ar
rangement in which the United States would
have any the best Of 1t.
Glittcring gencralitics marked the whole
NouioO VI " "a NohNN anvil nv Ah NhT
frid had with Secretary Sherman and Reciproc-
ity Commissioner John A. Knsson. These talks
were entirely Informal. Mention was made Of
the irritation that has existed between Canada
and the United States for the past twenty years
over various contentious, and both sides CT
pressed the hope that something might be done
to put a stop TO it. These questions do not ro-
late solely TO the tariff, but TO the fisheries. the
immigration, and other matters. That was
a far % tbn rnnfnroea - an,h thaW
can DO termed. managed to get in
their conversations. All the gossip about the
Importance of Sir Wilfrcds visit outside of Ito
bearing on tho fur-seal question was not justi-
fed by what took place between him and Secre-
tary Sherman ard Mr.. Kasson. Both parties
concerned believe that the people Of Canada
and tho United States should be allowed to en-
press themselves clearly on the subject Of a re-
ciprocal arrangement before anything further
is done. The agitation OF the topic In the news
rapers is gratifying to the American and the
Canadian officials, and they want to see 1t fully
discussed in the press.
The most definite shape the reciprocity and
the other features have taken was the narrow
Ing down Of the several informal discussions to
the single question whether the United States
should not take advantage of the fact that Can
ada has q Ministry more favorably disposed to
the United States than any OF its predecessors,
A return to a Conservative Government before
q reciprocal agreement has been arranged
would place this Government in a position less
advantageous than it occupies ut the present
time. and those empowered to conduct nesotia'
tions In behalf OF the United States are Cndeav
oring to make up their minds without any great
delay. II future overtures are made by either
Canada or this country. they will be conducted
by correspondence. Premier Laurier's actua
authority in the matter. however. can be I'D
visory only. as tho actual negotiation OF al
agreement can DO made only by representative
of the imperial Government.