The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1898-08-27
The Quebec Conference.

isc QueDSC conference.
The Quebec conference is entitled to
respectful consideration from the evil
dent thoughtfulness with which the
work is to be performed. For nearly
125 years the colonial possessions of
Great Britain have rested along the
northern boundary of this country with
comparatively uribroken peace. Indeed,
when one comes to reflect upon the
tremendous strain existing in the re-
lations between the mother country
and the young republic during a pc
Rod of at least a generation following
the date Of dissolution of the national
bonds it seems creditable that there
has been so few acts of hostility or So
few signs of irritation. The two sec
tons, while distinct in their political
and commercial systems have main
tanned a reciprocal consideration for
one another which has led to advan-
tages on both Sides
The award by the Bering sea COM
mission following, by the lapse of
score of years, that of the Alabama
claims commission had the effect of
demonstrating the existence of a spir-
and the United States. Our late war
with Spain brought the English-speak-
ing people more closely together than
they had been drawn during the GEN.
fury. 1t is not the time, now, to ques-
ton the motives of Great Britain in
making its extreme advance in the
form Of sympathy with the United
States in the struggle just closed. The
incident of war, however, seems to
have afforded an appropriate occasion
for suggesting a conference witch
should have the result of linking Can
ada and the United states in closer
bonds, as well as clearing up many
misunderstanding of an international
character, of really little moment in
themselves, but still sufficiently irri-
tating to be constantly dangerous.
The work of the commission will
cover the disposition of the fag ends
of the Boring sea question. the fur
seals industry in, and an adjustment
Of boundaries of, water of the North
Pacific. There will enter, also, for ad-
justment the subjects Of fisheries on
the North Atlantic coasts, as well as
on the great lakes. The recent gold
of the boundary line brought forward
another matter of dispute.
The alien labor laws, passed several
years ago by our congress. and the
alleged crossing Of the Canadian boun-
dairy by those who were restricted in
their rights to enter our territory, I'M
der the laws mentioned. will be treated
of. The agreement between the United
States and Great Britain in 1917. re-
specting the location of vessels of war
on the lakes, needs to be revised. It
may or may not be found advisable
to strengthen the naval patrol Of the
United States in those waters. The
question of requisition between gov
ernments in the case of offenders
against the law will come under re-
view; so also will the matter of reel
procity in wreckage and salvage grow
ing out Of the navigation of the lakes.
But by far the most important
question to be considered will bear
upon the privilege now enjoyed
for the transportation Of merchandise
in bond, out of the territory of the
Dominion into that of the United
States and permitting passage Of the
same bonded merchandise into Cana
dian territory for shipment beyond the
boundaries of both countries, east and
west. This will probably prove the most
veXatious conundrum the conference
will have to deal with. inasmuch as
so many different localities are in
yolved, and each will incline to look
at it purely from the standpoint Of its
own interest.
New England undoubtedly enjoys
advantages today from the conduct of
this method of transportation. The
claim is also advanced, in some COM
munities in the Northwest. that there
is an accruing advantage to them from
! the handling of merchandise by this
method. An interesting point devolv-
| ing upon the commissioners to clearly
establish will consist of locating the
! benefits alleged to exist from the prac-
tice of what does not appear upon it's
! face to be equitable and just.
| There will be minor points for ad
justment, and the report of the COM
| mission will be looked forward to with
much interest.