Evening journal., 1898-08-24
WEDNESDAY. AUGUST "a. 1898
SENATOR GRAY's WORK.

ture with such distinction for so many
years, is a member of the Anglo
American Commission, or, as It is le-
gally known, the Joint High Commits
sion.
Senator Charles w. Fairbanks, Of In
diana, is chairman of the American
delegation and the other commission
ers are Senator George Gray, of Della
ware, OF the Senate Foreign Relations
Committee; Representative Nelson NJ
Dingley, OF Maine, who should be ia
miliar with the workings OF the Ding
ley tariff; Hon. John w. Foster, for
mer secretary Of state, who is an ex-
pert on treaties; Reciprocity Commits
sioner John "A. Kasson, Of Iowa, for.
mer minister to Germany and Austria,
and +. Jefferson Coolidge, OF Massa-
chusetts, former minister to France,
who. as head of some OF the great
manufacturing establishments OF New
England, may be said to be our ex-
pert on manufactures. The British
Commission is headed by the Lord
High Chancellor OF England, Baron
Herschel representing the Home Gov
ernment, and the other commissioners
are Sir Wilfred Laurier, premier OF
Canada; Sir Richard Cartrlght. Ca
madam minister Of Trade and Com
merce; Sir Louis Davies, Canadian
minister Of Marine and Fisheries, rep
resenting Canada, and Sir James T.
Winter, premier OF Newfoundland, rep
resenting Newfoundland.
These distinguished men have most
important and far-reaching duty 70
perform. 1t is to settle all points Of
difference which exist between this
country and Canada, and, so far as
the North American colonies are con-
cerned, Great Britain. The result Of
the commissions labors will be far
reaching and productive OF incalculable
good, for the commissioners are men
who are actuated by the highest sense
OF honor and patriotism. They will
act with fairness, let the result, based
on justice, be what 1t may.
Commenting upon the commission
and its work the Philadelphia Ledger
says;
The personnel Of the commission is
in Keeping with the Importance Of the
questions to be considered, the chief
of which are fur seal fishing in the Ber-
ing sea, reciprocity In custom duties,
the Alaska-Canadian boundary, the
more complete marking Of the frontier
line between Canada and this country
transportation problems reciprocal
mining rights OF citizens Of each coun.
try within the territory OF the other
alien labor laws, Atlantic and Pacific
fisheries, a revision Of the agreement
respecting gunboats on the lakes, and
other matters OF great importance.
In the past generation there has moi
been a serious contention, except the
Venezuela boundary dispute between
this country and England, which hai
not had It's origin in Canada or New
foundland." Canada, which seemed
ruled by the spirit Of Obstinacy ant
perverseness, has been a constan
source Of irritation between the Unite'
States and Great Britain. Every at
tempt on the pait Of the two govern
ments to arrive at an understanding OF
any Canadian question has been met
until the present. with 1.-The repl.
churlish," and every move has encoun
tered the counter check quarrelsome
on the part o. Canada.
The North Atlantic fisheries ques
tion is an instance in point Even Eng
land warned the Canadian Governmen
in 1871 that while the letter of tn
treaty Of 1917 might warrant them i
the rigid exclusion Of American tishin
vessels, except to procure wood an
water, to obtain shelter and make re
pairs" it was nevertheless an "eN
treme measure, inconsistent with tn
general policy OF the empire. Yet th
Canadians continued to seize America
vessels, almost precipitating war, unit
1883, when the modus vivendi wa
patched up. In accordance with th
provisions Of this makeshift America
vessels must pay tonnage tax for II
privilege of entering Canadian por
for bonding and other commercial pu
poses, while Canadian fishing vesse
have free entry TO American ports f'
like purposes. This is palpably unjus
and the obstinate unfairness Of the G.
nadians was displayed with the obje
Of driving bargain with our Congree
Il was an attempt to extort entry fr
OF duty for their fish, and only result
in nurturing malice and in will.
The Atlantic fisheries, the fur se
question, the Alaskan boundary al
the reciprocal customs duties are {
chief questions to be considered, b
the reciprocity question presents 81
cial difficulties. II the Canadians q
preach the conference in the spirit
mutual concessions Il is sure that tn
will have a freer entry to market
7O.0OOO00 people for many of tn
products, while our manufacturers "
find a larger field among the 5,000,I
people OF Canada, which is to-day {
third best customer. We augur
best results from the character Of
Canadian commissioners, who have
ways been promoters Of more libe
intercourse with this country
London Times says