New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-11-18

,,orroet,on Of q Trustworthy nature whlch mas
b., obtained respecting their conferences with
Secretary Sherman and his supordlha'es' "
pretty full and distinct outline OF the ooJec'S
~ the Canadians mission can be traced Inc
chief one was reciprocity in Its broadest sense
INT especially In its commercial sense Inc
Co,o1,on Premier had arranged and marshaled
his propositions with considerable SKILL anu he
presented and advocated them with a force1ui
tact which excited admiration anu respect " "
aid not carry conviction
II is only fair to say that while MS Vis' anu
efforts have not yet borne much fruit IN ac'u''
achievement they have tended to smooth Some
esnerities and pave the way. perhaps, 70 tahsi-
Mo and beneficial results. In fact, one such re-
.u,t has been attained in the unanimous agree
roer. NJ the experts as to the facts concerning
na,agic sealing and its injurious enec's on 'he
seal herd That is distinct gain which ever!
body who possesses even supernoiai Nio"i
edge Of the seal controversy can appreciate
Moreover 1t was somewhat In the nature oi
surnrise 10 some statesmen VINO hao peco"ie
convinced that American. British and CANADIAN
experts would never be able 10 reach an agree
rnent on that question. Whether THIS agreement
bowever will be followed by one which Will put
a stop to pelagic sealing, at least for limited
and specified period. remains 10 be SEEN
Canada
United States. through Great Britain What
will Won give us in the way OF commercial
rec,nrocity # we will refrain from pelagic seal
ing" that question is strongly suggested by the
att,tude OF Sir Wilfrid Laurier and his col
leagues With the fact staring him in the face
that the fate OF his Ministry might depend on
q satisfactory answer. he was constrained 10
maintain this position, he frankly acknoWI-
edged. What that answer will be II VIII take
time to determine. 1t cannot be given u! 'he
President alone or by the President ana the
Senate but must have the concurrent approval
of the Senate and House Of Representatives as
we'll
RECIPROCITY A DIFFICULT PROBLEM
Tho difficulties of framing commerciai reci-
nrocity treaty whose benefits shaH be equaiy
shared by the United States and Candoa are
manifold and the obstacles In the way OF lhe
approval Of such treaty by Congress may De
found insurmountable. "The so-caiied reel
procity section OF the Marcy-Elgin Treaty or
1854 stands as a warning to American states
men to-day" remarked man VINO mas ions
been prominent in public life to Tribune cor
respondent to-day. But conditions now are
vastly different from what they were fifty years
ago. Moreover there are statesmen still living
and holding official places Of influence who con-
sidared the abrogation Of the Treaty OF 1904
thirty wears ago a mistake. They believed then
and still believe that 1t should have been modi-
fed not abrogated.
That treaty provided for free trade between
the United States and Canada in certain natural
products common TO both countries. the prihci-
pal ones being grain. -four and breadstuns or
all kinds: live animals OF all kinds; all meat
products including lard fruits fresh and dried
fish and their products; eggs and poultry, butter
and cheese. coal. pitch. tar and turpentihe tiil-
Der and lumber Of all kinds pelts. wool and fax.
hemp and tow manufactured Of COURSE
that was "a jug-handled arrangement" Of which
Canada was the beneficiary. Her manufactur-
ing Industries were insignificant as compared
with those Of to-day but her markets were not
open 10 American manufactured goods on better
terms than were those Of Europe. 1t is true
that American manufacturing industries were
then in a languishing condition on account OF
the low-tariff policy adopted in 1916, but in some
lines the manufacturers OF the United States
still managed to keep their heads above water
Access 10 Canadian markets on more favorable
terms would have helped them.
1t would seem impossible for commercial re-
ciprocity treaty the lines followed In 1914 TO
obtain the assent OF Congress now or In the
future. What other substantial induce
ments Canada now has TO offer in consideration
for commercial reciprocity have not yet been
disclosed. Under Section 4 Of the Dingley law
the best terms the United states could oner
would be a reduction of 20 per cent in the rates
Of duty for period not exceeding five years on
such articles as might be specified in the treaty.
And there would be the rub when the schedule
was submitted TO Congress for approval
Sir Wilfrd Laurier, Sir Louis Davies and the
other Canadian officials left Washington at 10
O'Clock this morning John w. Foster called
on them before their departure, but the meeting
was not OF a business character. Cordial senti
rnents were renewed In parting, and the senti-
Inent was expressed that the negotiations now
in progress might yet have happy cOnsumma-
tion for both countries.
REPORTS OFFICIALLY DENIED.
The officials Of the State Department we're
greatly surprised at the reports Of the total fall
ure Of the Canadian negotiations which ap-
peared to-day in several morning newspapers.
One OF them said: THAT view is not taken by
the Government in Washington. The repre-
sentatives Of the Canadian Government who
have just left this city did not come 70 Wash
lngton with any expectation Of concluding any
Arrangement treaty during their brief stay.
They entertained views upon the question Of the
sealing regulations. and hoped to acquire accu-
rate information as to the views Of our Govern
ment upon the remaining questions which their
preceding Government in Canada had failed 10
adjust. The only fact correctly stated In the
publications referred TO is that under the IA
vorable influences prevailing the seal experts
agreed upon report. This report will furnish
good basis for further action
1T goes without saying that Canada is not
disposed TO make a concession upon the seals
without some consideration to Canada What
such reciprocal concession or concessions may be
is a question not yet disposed Of but continuing
under consideration. There has not been the
slightest check to the negotiations further than
the Inevitable delay In the settlement OF the
,ealing question The Canadian representatives
we're Hospitality received, frankly talked with.
md participated In free and frank discussion"
The official added: "If ever Irritating ques-
aons be removed between the two countries
they can be disposed Of under the administra-
uons now charged with the conduct of affairs
In the United States and in Canada"
The statements made in these dispatches last
Light that the final diplomatic meeting had been
characterized by the greatest good feeling. and
that an understanding had been reached that