The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-11-22
CLOSER TIES WITH CANADA.
ENGLAND BELIEVED TO FAVOR THE
COMMISSION PLAN.

COMMISSION PLAN.
Clearing Away of Existing Vexatfous
Questions Would Then Have the
Benefit Of Approval by the Impe-
rial GOVcrnment-The Latter Be-
Iievcd to Look with Approval ON
the Settlement of Certain GUEST
tOns Involving CanadiRn-Ameri-
can Tariff Reciprocity.
Washington, Nov 21.--There is good rea-
son to believe the British government will
view with favor the formation of a COM
mission to clear up veXatlous questions
between the United States and Canada
This attitude will be important in the
consummation of the commission plan.
for the best efforts of the United States
and Canada toward a general settlement
would come to naught unless the imperial
government approved the efforts and
stood ready to give the official execution
in the form of a treaty. At first, the
sharp differences aroused by the Berlng
sea meeting led to the belief that Great
Britain might stand in the way of CONF
mission which might discuss, among othea
questions, such important subjects as this
tariff. The British have been tenacious
of holding the advantages REQUIRED by
Canada's preferential British tariff, and 1t
was thought the colonial office at London
would not view with favor any movement
by a commission which would disturb this
preferential tariff. 1t appears, however,
that the British authorities are sincerely
anxious to clear up the various irritating
he.
tween Canada and the United States
through the medium of a commission or
otherwise. and that no idea Is entertained
that when the claim dealt with the im-
portant subject of the tariff il would in-
volve any disturbance of the British-Ca-
madam tariff relations. There are said to
be many articles, such as coal and fish.
which are not exchanged between Great
Britain and Canada. On such articles,
therefore, any reciprocal arrangement be-
tween 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 Cana
da may secure in the extensive American
markets lying alongside her, and there Is
da in the enjoyment of reciprocal trade
with the United States. Already the Brit
ish ambassador has been authorized from
London to begin negotiations for reciproci-
ty treaties between 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 coll
onies. 1t Is said the same view would pre-
vail as to Canadian reciprocity. In any
event. the work of a commission would be
preliminary only and il 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 not of an imperial
character and concern only the United
States and Canada. In these, it Is said,
Great Britain has no interest whatever ex-
cept to see them settled ON terms satis-
factory to Canada. The lake fisheries
have been prolific source of trouble. 1t Is
claimed the fish OF the lakes, particularly
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 Bering sea, and one of the
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 heres
left to-day 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 connec-
ton with pending Bering sea negotiations.
Prof. Thompson expresses himself as well
pleased with the recent meeting of ex-
perts, and with the results arrived at
Since the expert agreement was reached
protocol has been signed by Mr.. Hamlin.
chairman of the expert meeting and by the
secretaries, Mr.. Venning, in behalf of Cam
ada and Mr.. Clark, in behalf Of the Unit
ed States. This protocol sets forth the
circumstances under which the meeting
was held with the minutes of the pro-
ceedings and to some extent aids the in-
depreciation of the agreement by showing
all the circumstances leading up to 1t.
Sir Julian Pauncefote, the British am
bassador, has been confined to his room
the last two weeks with a return of his
old ailment of rheumatism. 1t prevented
his attendance at the Bering sea meeting,
and in this and all other affairs of the
embassy Mr.. Adams, first secretary, has
been in charge. In the meantime. such
questions as reciprocity with the British
West Indies, the general arbitration treaty.
etc. have been in allegiance, but they ara
likely to come up for discussion with the
authorities as soon as Sir Julian is fully
recovered.