The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-12-29
Americans Secured ALI They Ask
ked, Making Few Concessions.
The Bargain Was So One-Stded That
It IL Doubtful whether . Treaty
on the Ltnes Proposed. II Signed.
Would Receive the SanctiOn Of
Made the Sacriace for All Other
lnterests In This Country, Free
Entry Of Canadian Coal and the
Ruin ct Coal Industry Conceded.

Special Dispatch TO the Post-Intelligencer.
WASHINGTON. Dec. 2s.--No one famil-
lar with the work OF the joint commission
by the respective governments Of Canada
and the United States 10 adjust certain
matters OF difference which have for some
years annoyed the citizens OF both coun-
tries Will have the courage to assert posi-
lively At the present time that the new
treaty will be signed. Should the COM
missioners agree upon sufficient points 10
warrant drawing up treaty for submis-
sion to their respective governments, IL is
by no means certain that both countries
Will rattfy the same II the treaty Is sub
mitted, however. II seems certain tina. this
country will be ready to rai!fy il promptly.
Nc; so the Canadians. As aiseady out
lined In these dispatches. the Canadians
have been no match at bargaining with
the American commissioners. For several
points which they were willing to concede
they had hoped 10 obtain advantages
greatly desired by them In return. But
they pulled no wool over American eyes.
II was pointed out go Clearly that the Ca
nadians were not giving away anything
of value to them that little force was left
to the demand for concessions on the
American side.
Commissioncrs VIII Say Nothing.
Since the work OF the commission is by
no means concluded, although many seem
to think that the session after the holidays
VIII be mainly devoted TO putting into
treaty form what has already been agreed
upon, without threshng over old straw.
the members OF the commission are very
chary Of discussing any OF the subjects
which have been matters Of conference
The Canadians have gone home 10 talk
the matter over with the government
Senator Fairbanks. Representative Ding
ley and ex-Secretary Foster have been do
ing the same thing with the president. his
cabinet advisers and the more prominent
senator's known 10 be friendly to further
Ing the interests OF reciprocity with our
Northern neighbors.
Some OF these are personally interested
while al are carefully looking out for the
interests OF their constituents.
What has been accomplished 40 far is a
matter OF much congratulation among the
administration and It's friends and while
the United States has not secured every
thing 1t has desired. IL has gained much In
the way Of settling old difficulties ard piac~
Ing American trade with Canada in easier
channels. At the same time very little.
from national point OF view. has been
conceded to the Canadians.
Coal on the Free List.
The one important concession. that OF the
free entry OF Canadian coal. substantially
njnres no section OF the United States.
save the state Of Washington alone, ana
the interests OF that state have been dis
regarded in the matter. II has been ar
gued, too, that the free entry % Canadian
coal would cheaper the price Of coal In the
Pacific coast cities. and the interests OF the
few are sacrificed TO those of the many:
and on the other hand in apparent con-
traiiction. that rline-ogners on the Amer
lean side can compete on an even basis
with the mines OF British Columbia These
arguments lad weight with the American
commissioners. ard Influenced their de-
cisior.
Reciprocity In nearly all matters or trade
between the two countries was desired by
the Canadian commissioners What they
have obtained ss reciprocity in bat few
things, mainly agricultural lines: so that.
from a Canadian paint of Yiew. the whole
is ~ TITLE value. II was this hope for reel
yroeity on an extensive scale that brought
together the joint high commission
With that incentive Canada wouid bard
IS have agreed 20 treat with th@ United
states upon any OF the other questions In
volv.As Ard Il was upon this very point
.laat the Americans have gained repuia-
lion for diplomacy far ard away ahead G:
saefr Canadian colleagues. Quietly. bst
surely, th. AnseTicns secured tentative
agreements upon ali subjects In which
they were Interested. without taking UP 81
ali the matter Of reciprocity. T'sen, and
not until then. dsd rlse Canadians discover
,hat when they wanted 20 decker they had
hing thai he Americans cared anything
alSnut. to give in return for tne concessions
ghey asked
Canada Yields the seal Fisheries.
canada has always a~a3Txsainei taat her
rJSht 10 pelsgsc sailing In Esrsng ses &gE
without question. yet when h-ogsht 70 4
sss.-ysseE,u Of tire matter witn able expo
-4-ts ~ tae American ela3Ess. they have
vae.ses3 every rsTa. lr the matter sn cou-
s~rz. stesrs OF TIE rxss nenz a< Sss1s com
- ~sttx~ly snail SUN when eonsGa.T;ng sas
gzfe-es1s fu@oivesi, TO be paid 10 the own
erx e< vessels under the British rax which
sill thus hs deprived of t&seEr csss. o1sa-y
means nf livelihood TIA notwithstanding
BE sacg hat Fsrit - experts have hesFS ~
work fer years compiling voi@sre afser
ya.gEEse ~ facts and arguments - prove
40 s,rcnSia Of t5s Canadian c'oxsten.aoa