The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1899-01-20

Special Dispatch TO the Post-Intelligencer.
WASHINGTON, Jan. l9.-Severe criti-
cisms have been passed by high officials in
the state departme and by members Of the
Angio-American commission upon the neg
iect OF the American consuls In Canada
and British Columbia TO report the action
of the British Columbia parliament in ex-
cluding American citizens from the mining
fields.
The only information possessed by the
department or commission is contained in
kilograms and copies Of papers filed by the
Post-Inteiligencer correspondent That
copy OF the Post-1nseligeneer containing
the full text OF the discriminating measure.
and the comments of the American citi-
zens upon ii, was filed today as part Of
the official records OF the joint high COM
mission.
No facts have beea communicated to the
statedepartment and not until today did the
American members of the commission
know the scope of the bill.
The settlement OF the lumber schedule
has become somewhat mixed up with the
mining regulations 1t was originally intend
ed that the only free lumber from Canada
should be that valued at more than $50
which would restrict importations TO
few lines of white pine. After this was
agreed upon practically. the Canadians re-
opened matters and II ssi, remains "A point
under controversy.
Then II was that Commissioner Kasson.
on behalf the Americans. brought In his
Clause covering mining regulations. and
had 1t adopted. II Is very full and gives
20 Americans every possible right In Ca
madam placer and quartz mines. while
granting to Canadians the advantages con-
veyed by the amendment of March las,
All this was done before any knowledge on
the part OF the commission that the pre-
vince OF British Columbia was legislatlng
20 prevent Americans from entering the At
lin district.
Commissioner kasson, when showr, the
bill today by the PoSt-rniellgeneer corre-
spondent. said he had never heard OF it,
except through newspaper dispatches and
these had not before conveyed the full i'm
poriance Of the measure. He took the COPY
of the Post-Inteliigencer containing ths b,u
and the comments upon IL, and said he
would bring Il officially to the attention Of
the Canadians at the next meeting OF the
commission.
In the meantime. Congressman Lewis
rallied upon tae secretary of the commission
and flied in the name OF the people OF The
state Of Washington a formal protest
against any action that might emharrass
future investments by citizens OF shat state.
He stated that The Washsngtonians had by
their investment of capital developed the
placer districts OF British Columbia
Lord Herschell and Sir Louis Davies as
sured the post-fntelligencer correspondent
that there was no Intention on the Part OF
the representatives. OF Canada 70 give 10
Americans treatment other than that ac-
corded 10 their couutryrsen by the United
States Despite tina assurances there IL
a belief on the par, OF many members or
congress that thc passage of the iaw In
Intended "a act as ciuh upon the Amers-
can members Of the commission, com
reilsug further concessions in tire matter
~ free eoal and low lumber tariff
Sir Louis Davies, when his attention was
calea 70 the law, sad ne would c1nstrlse
= 90 have fhe same erec. as the American
provision IN The mining iaw passed las.
March. Under which ~ alien nav Tot 10
cate mining claims. bsr; may acquire the'r
titie. TAss view Is not heii BY any o. the
A'sserieans who have read the Iaw.
Senator's wha are interested IN mining
matters ara ready so take arbitrary stems
x tAs reciprocal convention does TOT fully
Erotes; American Interests
ALLAN r. ST4AvSsON-