The record-union., 1899-07-29
is in position to secure for coast

The United States has determined
that there shall be no settlement of the
question until it ceases to be impor-
tant by the exhaustion of the gold
fields of the Canadian Yukon, and. rec
ognizing the difficulties that lie in the
way of an ultimatum on the part of
Great Britain such as undoubtedly
would be resorted to in dealing with
any other country than the United
States and the consequent difficulty of
obtaining a prompt solution by the de-
narration of the boundary line, l have
proposed new remedy.
1T is not that there shall be a resort
to war or to any collision between the
United States and Great Britain, but
that Canada shall protect her undoubt-
ed rights and interests by constructing
railroad from Kitimat. in British CO.
lumbia, to Dawson City. IN the same
direction l recommend that another act
shall be passed adopting the mining
laws of the United States to such an
extent as will prevent any but British
subjects procuring mining leases or be-
ing able to carry on mining in the Ca
madam Yukon. These laws should
contain a clause whereby they would
only come into operation by a urocla-
nation of the Governor General in
council. OF course all existing claims
of Americans would be respected and
the laws would only take effect in ref
erence to matters arising after the
proclamation" - :
You design those as coercive meas
ures to drive the United States to ar
bitration?" the correspondent asked.
No; the United States could still do
as it pleased" replied Sir Charles, but
the effect of these two laws would be
to show your country that no advan-
tage could arise to them from refusing
to have this boundary line ascertained
and marked in the way that all SINH
lar questions in the past have been de-
termined between nations. It would
avoid any conflict with the United
States They are measures within the
province of Parliament TO pass, and to
them no exception should be taken by
Great Britain or the United States
DO you not hold that the settle
ment of this question to the satisfac-
ton of Canada has been prevented by
the friendly feeling of Great Britain
for the United States?''
Charles, with pointed emphasis on the
said But l have said that among
statesmen of all classes in Great Brit
ain there has always been the very
strongest objection to anything that
could possibly involve collision between
the United States and. Great Britain.
The Anglo-Saxon entente cordiale Is
matter in which Canada has synlpa-
thized in great degree, and we would
promote friendly settlement of all
questions between the United States
and Great Britain. Canada is, conse
quently, greatly disappointed to learn
that under existing circumstances such
an unfriendly attitude should be as
sumed by the Commissioners represent
ing the United States as precluded the
settlement of the boundary question
upon such fair terms as those suggest
ed by Great Britain and the United
States"
Then you stand for friendship to-
ward the United States?''
Il do, if you will let me. AS leader
of the opposition when the commission
to settle all disputes between the two
countries was appointed. I grounded
my arms and stopped all agitation in
order to promote. so far as the Con-
sentative party could. the settlement
of all these questions. Oh this matter
Canada stands together as che man.
1t is not question of party"
And what is the Canadian sentiment
toward the United States?"
Il am able to say that while pre-
vious TO the outbreak of the Span
ish-American war there was an I'M
friendly feeling in the United States
toward Great Britain and Canada,
there has always been, and there is
now, the most friendly feeling on the
ada, toward the United States and a
desire to have the two countries 50
close geographically. placed CONNER
cially, politically and socially on the
most cordial footing.
THE party l represent has always
shown this desire. That was shown by
the treaty of 1871. when Sir John Mac
donald was one of the High Commits
sioners for the settlement of the Ala
bama claims and questions affecting
Canada. Again. I recall the attempt
ed treaty of 1883. when Joseph Cham
berlain and l were Commissioners
That treaty, which was designed to
settle the Atlantic fisheries question,
was unanimously signed and unani-
mously ratified by thu House of Com
mons, but when sent by President
Cleveland to the United States Senate
was rejected by that body