New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-11-14
THE CANADIAN PREMIER.
SIR wILFRID LAURIER AS WASHINGTON
SEES HIM.

A MAN OF CAPTIVATING MANNERS AS WE'LL AS A
sHRgwD POLITICIAN AND A STATESMAN OF
BROAD vIEws-wHAr he HOPES TO &C
coMPLIsH By HIS PRESENT MISSION.
ley TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNEl
Washington, Nov. 13.-Qute the most inter-
esting parsonage in Washington this week Is
SIR Wilfrid Laurier. The Canadian Premiers
party is an interesting one bat he himself Is
the central figure Of the group. Sir Wifrid VIII
remain in Washington for some time TO come
His mission is important, and he does not care
to hurry IL. He wants to get acquainted with
American public men and he wants American
public men to get acquainted with him 50 he
Is proceeding in a methodical way.
The impression which Sir Wilfrid has already
made is an agreeable one he S democratic in
his habits. receives callers without ostentatlon
at his apartments In the ShOreham all talks
In frank and interesting way about himself
and the objects Of his visit His magnetism has
something Of the impetuous quality about IT,
AS an American public man said, "Sir Wifrid
makes you Ike him whether you want TO or
not" The day after the arrival Of the party.
when the formal call was made on the Presi-
dent and the State Department officials, the
Canadian Premier magnetized everybody. HIS
handsome appearance and his air OK debonair
craftsmanship were captivating. The horseshoe
which serves him for a scarfpin might have
seemed a little conspicuous on any one else. or
even suggestive OF a Western miner who had
struck good lead but with Sir Wilfrid 1t was
lust prominent enough 20 call out passing re-
mark and the good-na'ured comment from nm
that he really wore II for good rtck.
SERIOUS BUSINESS on HAND.
OF course there is very serious business back
of this visit Of the Canadian Premier, and he
does not expect to accomplish much until he has
carried out his plan OF becoming petter &C.
ouainted. Probably a little later the dinners
given In his honor, beginning With the one at
the White House by the President on Thursday
night will be returned. end the social side OF
his campaign will be fully developed.
A camnaiRn # literally Is. and as such Is In
tended for exploitation az home The pro-
gramne itself is an extensive one Sir "h1rid
talks with easy grace Of reaching an under
standing which viii do away with all causes OF
friction between the two countries, though some
OF them have lasted for century There 49,
in the first place. The mater OF peiagic seahns'
That is q thread On which to hang all the other
subjects While he s watching the discussions
Of the seal experts Sir Wilfrd Is also holding
personal conferences with Secretary Sherman
with view to making what Is obviously de-
Gcr!bed as progress toward anhty'
Quite informally. but nevertheless specifically
he let's it be known that his hope is foF sort
OF High Joint Commission. That would suit
Canada No, much encouragement has thus lar
been given TO the notion. because the Admins
tration apparently feels that the State Depart
ment is able TO handle all the matters IN dis"
pute between the two countries Special pro-
vision has already been made for reciprocity
arrange nents under the direction OF John A
Kasson. And the questions u the fisheries, OF
labor and Of the Klondike are thought to be
capable Of settlement without a Joint Commits
sion. Nevertheless. Sir Wilfrid will make prog
ress in some direction.
HIS HONoRS BORNE WITH MODEsTY.
The Canadian Premier comes 20 Washington
almost fresh from the Jubilee. where honois
were heaped upon him. The Golden medal. his
knighthood and his membership in the Privy
Council he bears. IL not with meekness. yet with
nodesty. He treats them mere incidents OF
MS public career They are trifies. apparently.
which hoated to him. without being an offensive
cgotist, 1t Is easily discernible that Sir Wifrid
thinks the British Empire gave faithful SER