The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1897-11-10
ATTY MrTH CANADA.

self tC be- indeed the statesman he is
credited By his friends with being. Il
he cen accomplish what he has under
taken TO DO He should find the most
hearty cooperation In this country.
which is, above all others, that one
wEsch should encourage the settlement
OF differences by the arbitrament OF
reason sitting on the bench Of justice.
The Canadian minister hopes TO
come 70 an understanding with the
United States as to the passage OF
alien labor laws by both countries. the
settlement Of the fisheries question. a
permanent agreement as to the bond
ing privileges of the Canadian Pacific
railroad. and q reciprocity arrange
ment generally. Tie people OF this
country have no more to gain by
friendly relations than the Canadians
have, but they can so adjust most mat
tiers that there shall be q common bene-
fit The Canadians were undoubtedly
disturbed by the prospect of suspen-
sion of the bond privilege for the
Canadian Pacific railroad, and that is
about the only thing they really have
to ask. This country could get along
well enough without going into Brit
ish territory for mining property, but.
OF course, 1t will be better II We can
arrange that Americans who do go In
shall b upon equal terms with citi-
zens OF Canada.
Sir Wilfred Laurier suggests that
the causes Of irritation on both sides
Of the line as to aliens be removed by
each country. and he Is prepared to
offer repeal Of Canadian restrictions
in the Klondike and other British re-
gions, IL the administration OF the
American law Ii made more lenient.
Although the circumstances are some
what different, the motive is the same
with Canada and the United States,
namely. the protection of natives
against the competition of foreigners.
In Canada. they have gone rather fur
Their and have forbidden the presence
In that country OF persons who are
grubstaked by Americans They do
not forbid such prospeetors to take up
claims. but declare the contract void
and unenforcible.
II may be narrow policy, but II
was not unnatural. There Is a great
difference between inviting into
country foreign immigrants who will
cultivate the soil and become perma-
nent residents and the admission of
foreigners who have no intention of
remaining. but gather up all the wealth
they can and return to their own
country. II may be considered
coarse comparison, but there Is just the
difference that there Is between a Ger
man and Chinaman. The German is
a welcome foreigner because his pres
ence results in a permanent improve
ment, while the Chinaman is unwel-
come because he saves every dollar and
takes IL back to his own country.
Americans who go into the Northwest
territory and carry OF all the gold.
leaving nothing but barren soil, and
bear 1t away 10 be spent elsewhere, are
TO the Canadians. in eject, and with.
out, OF course, the personal objection
what the Chinese are to us.
This country has, on the whole. been
most liberal In Its dealing with aliens.
and II Is only when 1t is provoked by
m apparent want Of appreciation or
absence Of reciprocity that We are
sometimes irritated into laws which
cannot be altogether justified in good
statesmanship.
There is absolutely no reason Why
the seal fishery question cannot be
adjusted. The number of persons en-
gagged in this business Is exceedingly
small. and the chief beuerciaries are
one or two corporations. The two
countries should not permit the rival
interests of small companies TO draw
them into wrangle. When the rep
resentatfves Of the two countries meet
!. should be as impartial counselors.
and not as advocates OF their respee-
tive countries corporation. Because
this has not been done. the Canadians
have been placed in false position.
from which Sir Wiifred Laurier Is de-
siroas Of extricating them. We have
never asked anything but settlement
on fair basis. and can very gracefully
meet the Canadian premier.
II is very remarkable that from Can
ada should now come a reyivor OF that
plan proposed by the great American
statesman. James c. Blaine. whose far
seeing wisdom Was never thoroughly
appreciated. II should dlsarm any op-
position on oar part. because several
years have passed since the suggestion
was made by Blaine. and since The oth.
or party 30 the arrangement has now
become convinced thai this Ia the RICH;
policy. there can 20 very little aoub,
IL the matter.