The record-union., 1897-11-13
Sir WiIfred Laurier's Visit to the
City Of Washington.
Likely to Result in a Reciprocity Treaty
Between the Two Countries.
John A. Kasson Delegated by
President Mckinley to Conduct
Negotiations on the Part or the
United States-A Very Import
ant Meeting Soon to be Held.

w WASftIN11OIN, NOV. L.. AS-iiAieS
arrangements have been made for tax
ing UP the subject of reciprocity
treaty between the United States AMI
Canada, and to this end meetings nave
been fixed between John w. kasson,
who is especially delegated by Presi-
dent Mckinley to conduct reciprocity
negotiations, and Sir Wilfred Laurler'
the Canadian Premier, and Sir Louis
Davis, Minister of Marine. This IS the
result Of the long and friendly conr@c-
ence held yesterday between Secretaf!
Sherman and Sir Wilfred.
The meeting will be held during the
present visit of the Canadian o1nclais'
but no exact time for it has yet peeh
fixed as it will depend somewhat on
the time which can be spared from the
Behring Sea sessions. Inc arraHSe-
ments also contemplate taking up tne
question of border immigration, lhe
North Atlantic fisheries, the lake nSh-
cries and all other subjects affectlhS
the two countries. The meeting WITH
Mr.. Kasson, however, Will De coiiniie'
to reciprocity, as he is delegated py the
President to treat on that SUBJECT aloiie'
1t is not expected that the reciprocity
treaty itself can be matured during the
present trip of the Canadian o1ilclals'
the desire being to arrive at some "oti-
mon understanding at this time ana 10
perfect the details later.
The dinner at the White House last
night assisted toward friendly settle
ment of the pending questions. Ihers
were no toasts and no speeches at the
dinner. but at its conclusion the cana
dian guests accompanied the PRESIDENT
and his Cabinet advisers TO the oiue
room. wheY> a wholly informal and per-
sonal 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
Wilfred, earlier in the day, ana the
general sentiment prevailed that the
present time was opportune Tor more
cordial intercourse between this coun-
try and Canada. The announcement
of the meetings with Mr.. Kasson fol-
lowed this morning.
In view of these meetings it Is poant-
ed out that much misapprehension ex-
lists as to the preferences Whch the
Canadian tariff law gives to Great
Britain. The law makes no mention OF
Great Britain. 1t has two scnedules'
maximum and minimum. AT present
Great Britain enjoys the minimum
rates. but the same are open 10 All
other countries, the United States IN
cluded, and there is nothing IN the law
which contemplates giving Great bflt
ain the exclusive benefits of these low
er rates 1t is understood TO be the
view of the Canadian officials that the
markets of the United States and cana
da are so closely connected geo
graphically that it is essential that the
countries look to each other, rather
than 10 markets thousands of miles
distant This, 1T is said, implies no un-
due benefits or determinations towards
the United States or Great Britain, but
merely a recognition of business COLI
ditions.
It is stated upon good authority that
the Canadians viii ask counter-coh-
cession from this country in the way OF
q guarantee for the protection or the
Northern fisheries in return for any al
teratfon of the sealing regulations TO
which they may give their consent
They take the position that the hsn
along the Canadian and Newfoundland
coasts are as much the property of
Canada as are the seals in the Pribyloff
Islands the property OF the United
States. and contend that they have as
much right to make demands for the
protection Of the fish against American
fishermen as we have to ask the Cana
dams to agree to further restrictions
IN the matter of killing the seals. Their
specific complaint is that, when Ca
madam laws prohibit fishing except
within certain seasons, the American
laws do not impose corresponding con-
ditions. and that, while the taking of
the fish can be prohibited during the
closed seasons within their territory, it
cannot be controlled outside of these
boundaries. Many Of the FISH which
properly belong within Canadian waters
are thus picked up out of season by
American fishermen. Sir Wilfred Lau-
rier will ask the United States 10 agree
to the protection of these fish during
the breeding season as an offset for any
seal concession to which Canada may
consent.