The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1897-11-13
RECIPROCAL
Trade Relations.

w V.
arrangements have been made for
taking up the subject of a reciprocity
treaty between the United States and
Canada, and to this end meetings have
been fixed between Hon. John w. Kas-
son, who is specially delegated by
President Mckinley to conduct reci-
procity negotiations, and Sir Wilfrid
Laurier the Canadian premier, and
Sir Louis Davies, minister of marine.
This is the result of the long and
friendly conference held yesterday be-
tween Secretary Sherman and Sir Will
frid. The meeting will be held during
the present visit of the Canadian of
ficials, but no exact time for it has
yet been fixed, as it will depend some
what on the time which can be spared
from the Bering sea sessions. The ar
rangement also contemplates taking up
the questions of border migration,
North Atlantic fisheries, and all other
subjects affecting the two countries.
The meeting with Mr.. Kasson, how
ever, will be confined to reciprocity,
as he is delegated by the president
to treat on that subject alone.
1t is not expected that the reciprocity
treaty itself can be matured during
the present visit of the Canadian Of
ficials, the desire being to arrive at
some common understanding at this
time, and then perfect the details later.
The dinner at the White house last
night assisted toward a friendly settle
ment Of pending questions. There were
-
ner, but, at it's conclusion, the Cana
dian guests accompanied the president
and his cabinet advisers to the blue
room, where a wholly informal and
personal exchange of views occurred.
They were on the same friendly lines
as those at the formal conference be-
tween the secretary Of state and Sir
Wilfrid Laurier earlier in the day, and
the general sentiment prevailed that
the present time was opportune for
more cordial intercourse between this
country and Canada. The announce
ment of the meetings with Kasson
followed them.
In view Of these meetings it is point
ed out that much misapprehension eX
lists as to the preferences which the
Canadian tariff law gives to Great Bri-
tain. The law makes no mention of
Great Britain 1t has two schedules,
maximum and minimum. At present
Great Britain enjoys the minimum
rates, but the same are open to all
other countries, the United States in
cluded, and there is nothing in the law
which contemplates giving Great Bri
tain the exclusive benefits Of these low
er rates. 1t is understood to be the
viz. Of f1,o 10, Fi..., H.
markets Of the United States and
Canada are so closely connected, geo.
graphically, that it is essential that the
countries look to each other rather
than to markets thousands of miles
distant and difficult of access. This, it
is said, implies no undue benefits or dis
examinations toward the United States
or Great Britain, but merely a recogni-
tion of business conditions.
1t is stated upon good authority that
the Canadians will ask a counter con-
cession from this country in the way
of a guarantee for the protection OF
the northern fisheries, in return for
any alteration of the sealing regula-
tons to which they may give their con-
sent. They take the position that the
fish along the Canadian and New
fcundland coasts are as much the
property of Canada as are the seals
on the Prybiloff islands the property
of the United States, and contend that
they have as much right to make de-
mands for the protection of the fish
against American fishermen as we have
to ask the Canadians to agree to fur
ther restrictions in the matter of kill
ing the seals. Their specific complaint
is that while Canadian laws prohibit
fishing except within certain seasons
the American laws do not impose cor
responding conditions and that while
the taking of the fish can be prohibited
during the closed seasons within their
territory 1t cannot be controlled out
side of these boundaries. Many of the
fish which properly belong within Cana
dian waters are thus picked UP out of
season by American fishermen. Sir
Wilfrid Laurier will ask the United
States to agree to the protection of
these fish during the breeding season
as an offset for any special concession
to which Canada may consent.
During today's conference, a series
of propositions was presented by the
American representatives covering the
number and habits of the seals. and
the extent to which the seal herd had
been reduced during the five years in
which the Paris award had been in
operation. In turn, the British Cana
dian representatives presented coun-
Interpretations, covering their view
of the same subjects. The propositions
differed considerably. but were not so
wide apart as to lead to the belief that
they could not be reconciled. 1t was
felt to be desirable to hold no after
noon session, in order that the two
sets of propositions might be COM
pared. Later in the day the British
Canadians submitted some further
amendments to the American PROPOSE
tionS. 1t was expected that, when the