The Roanoke times. (Roanoke, Va.) 1897-1977, 1897-02-13
CANADIAN RECIPROCITY.

The liberals OF Canada not only desire
closer trade relations with the United
States; but their political opponents in
the Dominion contend that they are to II
certain extent annexatioIists. 1t is hard
ly probable, however, that the friends
of political union with this country con-
stitute ut this time any considerable por-
ton of the population of Canada; for
while eventually it is believed that this
will occur, it is not likely that such
dream can he realized within the next
fifty years. Close tradeirelations between
the two countries would no doubt con-
tribute much towards that feeling Of
good will and common interests, which
is such i'm essential element in bringing
about the nnion of Canada and the
United States so generally desired by the
people of the latter country; but, under
present conditions, it is not likely that
any steps will be taken towards reciproc-
ity by the incoming Republican admiuis-
tration.
1t has long teen favoritc theory of the
party soon to come in power that the
best and surest step towards complete
political union between the United States
and Canada is Il strong protective tariff
on such products us the people OF the last
named country are most anxious to Sc
cure reciprocity. It is argued that free
and uninterrupted trade relations with
this country are almost absolutely essen
tial to the progress and prosperity of the
Dominion, while the people of the United
States are really best off without Cana
dian competition; hence Republicans con-
tend that the price the people of the lat
ter country should pay for reciprocal
trade relations is IL political union with
this country, which will guarantee to
them all such benefits and blessings
They further urge that II protective
tariff of the Mckinley order will tend
materially towards. bringing, our Anglo
Saxon kinsmcn across the border into
this frame of mind, and cite..thc workings
of the late tariff in that direction as IL
strong proof of the strength of this argu-
ment. On the other hand, it is argued
that such restrictive measures would tend
to ALLEVIATE the friends of this country in
| Canada, and that, instead Of bringing the
| people of the Dominion nearer to those
of the United States, it would drive them
| further away They would, it is said,
set to work to find with the mother couu-
try and the other British colonies ii mar
| ket for their products by giving in ex-
| change the trade that would naturally
come to us; but as Canada is running II
protective system of her own she would
have 10 make some concessions to free
trade England that would not be ncces
saEy if reciprocity in certain lines could
be secured with the United States. q
To further such arrangement Sir Rich
ard Cartwright, minister of trade and
commerce, and l.. II. Davies, minister
OF marine and fisheries in the Canadian
cabinet, have been for some days in
Washington comforting with Sir Julian
Pauncciote and while there they will
take advantage of the opportunity to see
| as many of the public men of this coun-
try us possible and discuss with them the
existing trade relations between Canada
and the United States. The liberals are
| AT present the dominant party in Canada,
but the representatives whom they have
sent to Washington with the hope Of
| making trade relations between the Do
| minion and this country broader and
! freer, should be well enough informed as
to the policies of the two great political
nartipS Of tba -nitpd Sfatac IN Lnov tL.t
a most inopportune time has been selected
for such an arrangement.
1t is true that closer trade relations
with this country was one of the winning
issues in the last Canadian election, but.
unfortunately for the hopes OF the Fiber
ais, just rs Canada is ready to extend to
us the olive branch, the Republican par.
ty comes into power, and from what has
already been said on this matter it is
plain that the Canadian statesmen will
meet with but little encouragement from
the leaders of that organization. Indeed,
it is surprising that these eminent gnctle-
men should waste any time in Washing.
ton, for their mission cannot be otherwise
than fruitless. Their presence will only
serve to goad the high protectionists into
demanding still more eNorbitant duties
on Canadian products, for fear that the
Canadian merchant or manufacturer may
sell dollars worth of goods on this side
of the boundary line, or from the hope
that high protection will! drive Canada
into the Union.