The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1897-11-09
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The North Atlantic fisheries question.
The presence OF many Americans in the
kiondike territory belonging 10 Canada.
and in the mining regions of British Co.
lumbia.
The fisheries trouble along the great
lakes.
The bonding privilege granted Canadian
The controversy over the rights in the
Fraser river. British Columbia, and in
Puget sound.
The question of a reciprocity arrange
ment between the United States and Can
ada.
There is direct and definite information
that Sir Wiifred comes prepared to take
up all these questions, and, If possible in
cluds them in one general settlement,
whereby the constant friction they have
engendered may be overcome. On some
Of these subjects he will confer with
President Mckinley and on ar least one
Of them, that relating TO alien laborers
crossing the border he will suggest some
mutual modification of the present re-
strictions as, In his opinion, will be of
material advantage to the thousands of
Americans now in the Klondike and Brit
ish Columbia mining country and at the
same time will he of advantage to Canada
along the eastern border.
The essential features of Sir Wilfred's
mission were communicated to the Of
fcials and are given out by persons fully
advised of the premier's plans and Il can
be said that the suggestion that the decks
be cleared of existing disputes between
Canada and the United States met with
the favor OF the administration.
Sealing Question VIII BE Settled.
While the Bering sea settlement occa-
stoned the visit of the Canadian premier,
tie Canadian authorities attach much less
importance 10 1t than they do to the other
questions mentioned. They say that The
Canadian scaling is confined almost en-
tirely to the far west territory. where the
sealers fl out, ard that even there a CON-
siderable percentage Of the so-called Ca
madam sealers sail from Seattle. San
Francisco and other ports, and fit out
In Canadian ports under the British flag.
What basis Of settlement can be reached
is not disclosed, but little doubt, Ii is
said. Is felt by the Canadians that an
amicable adjustment can be made. Among
the plans suggested IS that of an indem-
nifty large enough to permit Canada to
buy out the sealers and retire them from
business. With this done. the United
States, Russia. Japan, Great Britain and
Canada would be together in a suppress
sion 0f oe.agic scaling. There g no deter
mination, however TO advance this plan
in preference TO others. and the scope Of
the settlement will remain in doubt until
the negotiations open.
Americans i'm the KIondike.
Sir Wilfred Laurier and his associates
Hili urge strongly that the labor inYni E~l-
tion question IA settled, and on this point
will confer with the president. Under he
premier's direction the Canadian parlla-
ment passed an alien immigration law
last spring by which American contrac-
tors and alien labor viii be barred from
competing in the work OF the Crows Nest
pass railway. q government undertaking in
Western Canada On the other hand q
Is claimed hy the Canadians that about
500 Americans are in the kiondike terri
tory belonging 20 Canada. and that 100o0
American contract Iahorers are working IN
the mines Of British Columbia. The Unit
ei States immigration laws Il is asserted.
ars administered with harshne$s along the
Canadian border and are 4 daily source
OF irritation. Sir Wilfred therefore. VIII
suggest ;hat The causes OF Irritation be re-
moved OF bo.h sides. and Il is understood
tnst he il prepared 70 offer repeal of Ca
madam restrictions in the Kio1dike and
other regions r the administration OF the
American lsw is made more ienieni-
RooHling the Stickeen Route.
In This connection also TIE co-crera lion
Of tae United States i desired in plans sar
the Canadian authorities TO make an easy
roa.e "a the kloudike. The proposed route
s hy boat from Fort W-argel 20 the Stick
een river. which Is IN territory belonging
N the United States and up tse S.ickeen
vts Testln lake TO the Yukon river. and
thence - TIE gold fields. As The S'icksen
river is on American SOL. Il IS desired 70
overcome any possible controversy. al
though re .reaty of Washington = said 70
make me navigation of the river free 20
rhe Canadians ana Americans silks, TIE
nesI % tn!s short roa.e under the patron
axe of -ae Dominion. is fe!s by TIE Cana
dian premier 20 ne imperative. n vie" 81
he information TeaG4lng aim taat 1850
AsIz.ralAas VIII come - the klcndlAe n
TIA spr,ng \ total of 59.es9 colonss-s are
expected 70 head t1at way.
Reciprocity and Fisheries.
In ne mater of reciprocity, the general
purpose 3t the negotiations Will be 10 give
the United States TIE beneGc 0t the mini
n,pa, clause Il sAe prssea; Canadian law