The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-07-11


II is announced that the president will
soon make the appointment OF members
of the international commission TO set
tie all disputes between Canada and the
United States, so the presumption is
that the executive has arrived at an UNI
Outstanding with the senate as to the
course to be pursued. Great Britain
has already appointed members for its
part and they are all eminent men,
among them being Il former lord high
chancellor of England and the present
Canadian premier. The selection OF
such men Is a great compliment to this
country. II also affords a guarantee of
an earnest intention to place the discus
sion upon a high plane and TO eliminate
from It any petty attempts to give local
interests undue weight. 1t is due to
our own honor that men of equal official
and intellectual standing shall be Sc
iected 10 cooperate with them.
This is very opportune time at which
to have the misunderstanding between
the two countries adjusted. Not only
very cordial spirit. but the eXultation Of
the American people brought about
through the war has broadened their
views and made them less tolerant of
petty jealousies. The tone To be adopted
throughout the impending negotiations
has been rung by Sir Wilfrid Laurier.
the Canadian premier He is French
and Catholic, but when the French and
Catholic hierarchy sought to influence
him to take a position upon public ques-
tons as Catholic he replied in parlia-
ment: Il am, in my public capacity,
neither French nor English. Protestant
nor Catholic. but simply Canadian;
and ! shall settle all questions not from
the standpoint of the partisan or sec
tary. but in accordance with principles
of righteousness and honor believed in
a spirit as this. the commission should
meet. They are not a baiy charged
with the business of dickering and traf-
ticking for advantage. but a semi-Judi-
cial body upon whom is imposed the
duty of determining for the two nations
what is just 10 both.
Before such a tribunal, local interests
must be subordinated TO the general
welfare Canada and the United States
can live and thrive Independently of
each other. 1t is only necessary 10 in
sure such an understanding as shall
permit legitimate business rivalry with
cut friction. We expect that Canada
will ask for nothing for which she is not
ready 10 offer fair equivalent and we
will stand ready to meet her In the same
spirit
n short time ago when it was pro-
posed 10 have the commission. n public
statement was made which fairly states
Nt-t t~f.tN NHt~Ai NsatisiNst " ftA sLNN
the commissioners to pursue:
Go and make the best bargain YOU
can consistent with honor Offer fair
aud fun equivalent for every favor re-
eeived. Make such covenants as shall
meet the approval " the sober. fair
minded business and moral men Of both
Countries
1t must Be- admitted that there is no
vital difference between the two coun-
tries Whatever there has been II III
feeling III the past has been the rcsul, n
special interests seeking exceptional adj
vantages. The rivalry has been over
business. and il has been TO worse than
THAI between different sections and
competitive cities in the United States.
Bitterness has been engendered as a re-
suit. hut that has died cut. and II must
not la permitted to arise again 90 either
side * The border. especially at time
when the TIVE countries are prepared t.
mert in 4 spirit az mutual forbearan-e
and respect for the rights & ~, other.