Daily new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1897-1906, 1897-11-22

WASHINGTON, Nov. 20. - There is
good reason to believe that the British
government will view with favor
commission to clear up vexatious ques-
tions between the United States and
Canada. This attitude will be import
ant in che contamination of the COM
mission plan, for the best efforts of the
United States and Canada toward a
general settlement could come to
naught unless the imperial government
approved the efforts and stood ready to
give them official execution in the form
of treaty. At first the sharp differ
noes aroused by the Bering sea meet
t.g led to the belief that Great Britain
illght stand in the way of a commission
which would discuss. among other
questions, such imperial subjects as the
tariff. The British have been tena-
cious of holding the advantages secured
by Canada's preferential British tariff,
and it was thought the colonial office at
| London would not view with favor any
movement by commission which
would disturb this preferential tariff
1t appears, however. that the British
authorities are sincerely anxious to
close up the various irritating ques-
tions which have long existed between
Canada and the United States through
the medium of a commission or other
wise, and that no Idea is entertained
that when the commission dealt with
the imperial subject of the tariff it
would involve any disturbance of the
British. Canadian tariff relations.
hnr nd RI bn IL
such as coal and fish, which are not ex-
changed between Great Britain and
Canada. On such articles, therefore,
any reciprocal arrangement between
the United States and Canada would
have no influence on British trade with
Canada. The home government is said
to be fully conscious of the advantages
which Canada may secure in the extern
slve American markets lying alongside
her, and there is understood to be every
desire to aid Canada in the enjoyment
of reciprocal trade with this country.
Already the British Ambassador has
been authorized from London to begin
negotiations for reciprocity treaties be-
tween the United States and the British
West Indian colonies. This is cited to
show the favor which the London
authorities exhibit toward securing the
best reciprocal advantages for British
colonies. 1t is said the same view would
prevail as to Canadian reciprocity. In
any event the work of commission
would be preliminary only, and it would
remain for the British government to
give it effect by formal treaty.
The subjects other than the tariff
such as border immigration, fishing in
the great lakes, ETC., are of an imperial
character, and concern only the United
States and Canada. In these, it is said,
Great Britain has no interest whatever
except to see them settled on terms sat.
isfactory to Canada. The lake fisheries
have been prolific source of trouble.
1t is claimed that the fish of the lakes,
particularly the white fish, are being
exterminated by the lax laws of some
of the states bordering on the lakes.
The destruction of the fish is said to
be analogous to the destruction of the
seals in Boring sea and one of the SUBJ
subjects which Canada would urge
before the commission would be the
protection of the fisheries of the lakes
Prof. darcy Thompson, the British
seal expert, having concluded his labors
here, has left for Toronto, intending to
reach New York in time to take the
Lucania for Liverpool later in the
week. His trip to Canada is personal
and has no connection with pending
Boring sea negotiations. Prof. Thomp-
son expresses himself as we'll pleased
with the recent meeting of experts and
with the esults arrived at.
Since the expert agreement was
reached a protocol has been signed by
Mr. Hamlin, chairman of the expert
meeting, and to the secretaries, Mr..
Venning, in behalf of Canada, and Mr..
Clark. in behalf of the United States.
This protocol sets forth the circum-
stances under which the meeting was
held, with the minutes of the proceed
ings, and to some extent aids in the
Interpretation of the agreement by
showing all the circumstances leading
up to It,
Sir Julian Pauncefote, the British
ambassador, has been confined to his
room for the last two weeks with re-
turn of his old ailnent of rheumatism.
1t prevented his attendance at the Ber-
ing sea meetings. and in this and all
other affairs of the embassy Mr.. Adam,
trst secretary, has been in charge. In
the meantime scch questions as reci-
proclty with the British West Indies,
the general arbitration treaty, ETC.,
have been in allegiance, but they are
likely to come up for discussion with
the authorities here as soon as Sir
Julian is fully recovered.
He Struck 1t Rich