The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1899-05-28
THE THREATENED DISTURBANCE
OF OUR RELATIONS WITH
CANADA


The statement sent out from Washing
ton that Canada arbitrarily refuses to
make any concessions in the disputes
with the United States and that our gov
eminent is inclined to resort to retaiia-
tory measures against Canada is news
OF the most important and even distress
ing character. Never mind which may be
right I'm the abstract, If the two parties TO
the controversy find themselves compelled
to resort to a course in which each en-
forces its side Of the case by physical
force. for all practical purposes each side
comes TO have a right upon It's side. and
nothing but bitterness and anger can
come as a result.
We can say without difficulty that II
Canada plants herself upon the position
that she viii make no concession what
ever, and that all concessions to bo made
shall be made by the United States, then
Canada has taken an indefensible and an
unjustiiable position In controversies
OF this sort-when parties arrive at
point where they find themselves unable
to adjust thtir Observation-Disclosures IS
always in order, and arbitration IN such
cases should be adopted. The statement
has been currently given out for some
time that the commissioners representing
the two countries had agreed in reference
to everything except the Alaskan boun
diaries. and II that be true, nothing can be
clearer than that the question should be
left 10 arbitrators. Our government. We
understand. is willing to leave the question
TO arbitration. but it IS stated that the
Canadian government refuses to do So.
The Canadian government is wrong in this.
and neither the judgment nor the moral
sense Of the enlightened world will sus
tain II in its position. 1t may properly re-
fuse 10 abandon its claim voluntarily.
But II II feels 50 firm as that would indi-
cate in the justice Of its claim 1t should
have no difficulty I'm submitting that
claim to the arbitration Of impartial men.
There are some things neither govern
ment nor men can arbitrate. our govern
whether New York city was or was not
a port belonging to the United States,
nor could man arbitrate the question
whether his dwelling house I'm which he
and his ancestors had lived for an hum
dred years was his own property. But
many cases arise between governments
as well as individuals where complications
have arisen that make it impossible for
even the most intelligent man TO locate
tho right without great deal OF patient
attention TO details brought forward with
great labor and at considerable expense.
Such cases are always to be arbitrated
when there is no common tribunal estab-
nshed by law 10 which either party can
carry the other for settlement Of the
questions.
We say, then. very confidently that
Canada Is wrong TO refuse arbitration
but it does not follow that our govern
ment should resort to retaliation. The
most important event of this century
and one Of the most important events In
the history OF the world-is-the entente
and understanding that has been reached
between the people Of the United states
and England 1t IS fraught with more
hone and promise 10 mankind than any
thing that has happened upon earth since
the advent OF our Saviour. Our govern
ment must not do anything without the
most serious elaboration that can have
a tendency even towards disturbing the
cordially OF that understanding. Canada
may exasperate US by unreasonable con-
duct. but great forbearance should be
exercised. and nothing unfriendly to the
English people must be done II there be
any way in this world by which it can
be honorably avoided.