The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1898-04-29

Washington, April 2s.-Apropos of a
statement by the New York cores
pondent of the Cologne Gazette that an
agreement already exists between the
United States and Great Britain, the
Post says the friendly relations now ex-
listing between the two countries are
to be emphasized in important legis-
lation now pending in congress. 1t thus
explains
Two months ago there was every rea-
son to expect friction and dispute be-
tween the two nations over the ques-
tions which affected the American and
Canadian miners in the Klondike region
on the one hand. and the New Eng
land fishermen off the banks of New
foundland, who ship their cargoes home
by way of Canada, on the other hand.
During this period, however, there has
been a crisis in the affairs Of the United
States, and Great Britain has mani
tested toward this government the
kindliest feelings of sympathy and
support. 1t is in appreciation of these
sentiments that the legislation which
was originally prepared as a menace
and threat to Great Britain has been
entirely abandoned and in it's place
Will stand a clause which gives public
notice to the world, in the form of a
congressional enactment, that between
the two countries there Is the closest
bond Of friendship.
STORY OF GREAT INTEREST.
The story is one of great interest, in
terwoven, as it is, with the diplomatic
of he Itch
Some two months ago, when an inno-
cent bill granting privileges to pro-
posed railways through Alaska and ex-
tending the homestead laws in that ter
ritory, passed the house and came be-
fore the senate, it became the vehicle
for some sharp retaliatory legislation.
The Canadian cabinet council had
given a monopoly to a Canadian rail-
road to build it's track to the Klondike
region. 1t so happened, however, that
the road was to begin at Glencora, on
the Stickine river. in British Columbia,
and to get TO that point from Van
couver the Canadian miners would
have TO proceed to Fort Wransell, in
Alaska, and then travel up the Stick
inc river through American territory
to the beginning of the road. 1t was
claimed by the British government that
this could be done without let or hind
rance because a section OF the treaty
of Washington insured to subjects of
Great Britain the free navigation" of
the Stickine river. This was argued to
mean that English goods, wares, and
merchandise carried UP the river by
Englishmen paid no duty.
RETALIATORY LEGISLATION.
The senate took an entirely different
view of the matter. Senator Hans
brough, of North Dakota, the chair
man of the committee on public lands,
saw at once that the Importance of ST.
Michaels, Dyea and Skaguay would at
once be diminished by this arrange
ment. besides which Vancouver, the
terminus of the Canadian Pacific road,
would become the headquarters of par
ties Quitting for the Klondike. 1t was
also evident that if the same road en-
joyed the monopoly OF steam transpor-
| tation to the Klondike, American
| miners would have to pay eXorbitant
| rates. In self-defense, therefore, SEN
| ator Hansbrough proposed, and the
committee and the senate adopted, a
clause which provided that no Cana
dian goods should pass in bond be-
tween Fort Wrangell and the United
| States boundary unless Canada per-
| mitted the construction of competing
| lines of transportation. More than this,
| the bond privilege was not to be grant
| ed unless the New England fishermen
| shipping their cargoes through Can
| ada to this country were allowed to
| send the fish through in bond, and not
| be compelled to pay duty to Canada,
| as has been the case
| Immediately on the passage of this
| vigorous legislation the British govern
ment manifested the liveliest interest
| Sir Julian Pauncefote made several
| hurried visits of protest to the State
| department, and had personal inter-
| views with Senator Hansbrough. The
| lower house of the Canadian parlia-
| ment confirmed the grant OF monopoly
but Sir Julian brought great influence
! to bear upon the Canadian senate. The
| correspondence with Toronto was ex.
ceedingly frequent and emphatic, the
| result being that the senate defeated
the scheme by a vote OF 81 to II.
| GREAT BRITAIN'S FRIENDLINESs
Almost at the same time the Spanish
| situation began TO grow extremely crit,
! ical. 1t became absolutely essential for
| this government to know the attitude
| which Great Britain would hold toward
| the United States in case of war. The
| response OF the English government
| was most satisfactory. In addition tC
| this, when the powers attempted to in.
| fiUence the United States with a per.
| enEtory and almost belligerent note
| the British ambassador refused to sigE
| his name to the document, and it was
| due to him alone that the protest final
| ly presented TO the president was milo
and pacific in it's nature,
In short, the part played by Great
| Hritain was SO important that every
| effort to show appreciation was pu
| forth by the highest officials of the
| state department. Senator Hansbrougf
was summoned to the department
TO discuss the modification or with
drawal OF the proposed Objectionable
| lgislation. He and his fellow-senatorS
| were found willing to meet the depart
| ment in every way. They realized, as
| well as the State department officials
the value of British sympathy and
| friendliness in the war with Spain,
As the action Of the Canadian sen
ate had removed the Threatened mono.
| poly, the way to a harmonious settle
ment was clear, First of all. il was
agreed that the goods should go from
Fort Wrangell or any other place in