New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-03-02
UNWISE RESTRICTIONS.
AMERICANS AND CANADIANS ALIKE OBJ
JECT TO ALASKAN CUSTOMS
REGULATIONS.

SENATOR MACDONALD. OF TIE p'"i>io' iN''
LAMENT. POINTS OFT THE INJUSTICE OF
THE ATTITUDE OF THE UNITED STATES,
AND HINTS AT RETALIATION
| To the Editor Of The Tribune.
Sir: Herewith you will find the opinion or
Mr.. whitehead. Of Chicago. now in Victoria.
British Columbia. on the restrictions placed Oh
British trade through United States territory
for the Yukon district.
MANY persons IN the United States ignore the
fact that the Klondike gold region Is in British
territory; that goods in transit from the sea-
board Of Alaska through the narrow strip 70
the Canadian boundary could not be sold or
consumed In the wild and uninhabited passes
Of Skaguay and Dyea, as there is no one to
buy or consume. Then why vexatious restric-
tons? United States citizens wish to come into
British territory to partake OF our riches ana
gold: therefore should they not make 1t easy
for Britshers 10 pass through their mario" oei'
OF barren country to reach their own country?
I believe foreigners and Britishers are pro-
hibited from holding mining claims in Alaska
whereas the Government OF Canada permits
United States citizens to mine and take up land
on the same conditions as Britishers; the same
law prevails for all; there are restrictions on
Americans: no higher licenses paid than cana
dams pay. and no higher royalty is charged on
the gold they take out than that charged our
own people.
Is it then generous or just for men ike Seha-
tor Frye to try to make the present Navigation
and commercial laws more restrictive than they
are and stir up ill-feeling between the TWO
countries7 We hear Of threats made to close
the supports OF Skaguay and Dyea to British
commerce How absurd. The United states
Government II II wished to-which oeIeNe IL
does not-dare not close those ports. If IT DID,
what would be the result? We would Withdraw
our custom houses from the end or those passes
and confscate all foreign goods attempting 10
go in that way and would very soon open an
all-Canadian route. We are willing 10 aplue o!
reasonable customs regulations at the mouths
Of the Yukon and Stikeen, but not by restrictive
ones specially framed to hamper us. we nave
also the power the last resort. 10 prevent
United States citizens holding mining claims.
1t Is to be hoped 1t will not be necessary 10
adopt such measures. but should they De the
fault will not rest with Canada. We could
also levy a high export duty on all gold taken
out of Canada, but We are slow 10 retaHa'e'
The obnoxious and mean Allen Labor law has
been in operation for years In the states, ana
the meanest things have been done under IL.
but not until last year did Canada enact
similar law. which has not gone into operation
Although thousand of American citizens are
working In British Columbia, the Yukon ana
other parts Of Canada the question OF nation
alty is not raised. We have not yet turned poor
nurse girls or poor hack drivers out Of our coun-
try nor have We taken the bread out OF their
mouths.
IL we could not exist without United states
friendly legislation. where would we be! In
trade the United States receives more OF our
money than we do OF American money. The
supposed great concession. THE bonded system,
II abolished would inJure the United states more
than Il would Canada. A large part or the
commerce now landed in American ports In
transit for this country. China and Japan would
Shift to Canadian ports II it could not be passed
In bond
few days ago had visit from Mr.
Lewis representing the State OF Washington
in Congress. who tried TO persuade the Govern
rnent Of Canada to make some concessions to
Seattle and Tacoma in the matter OF mining
licenses-purely a matter of Internal economy
from which it not expedient to deviate. Mr.
Lewis Is reported on his return to the capital
TO have said that he found "a very hostile feel
ing prevailing toward the United States" !
trust he Is wrongly reported. for believe there
is no such feeling; but there is one OF surprise
that a great nation OF kindred people should
have recourse to small measures 10 thwart us in
every way. And tell you frankly the feeling
is growing that Canada must pay you back in
your own coin; that should be generous
when and where you are. and restrictive whore
you are.
This communication is longer than intended
II TO be, but the good feeling which prompts 1t
will be my excuse.
W. j. MACDONALD Senator.
Ottawa. Feb. "a. 1898.