The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1899-08-29
CANADA BARRED FROM CONCES-


S1ONS.
Renewed proposals Of q cesoion Of q
free port on Lynn canal ana OF free
lumber and free coal to Canada seem
incredible. They are the more 90 when
the entirely political nature Of the con-
cession ID considered. The United
States. apparently. proposes to arrive
1t no definite conclusion until after the
presidential election. and the Canadian
premier Ia to take advantage OF the ten
tative arrangements to wave the bloody
shirt, 20 to speak, and save his party
from disintegration. II such be the mo-
tive on both sides. the proposition II
base and disgraceful proceeding
throughout.
II Canada's position 10 20 untenable
that II must walt upon the issue OF
campaign. or II the United States au-
thorities are 90 fearful Of taking an at
titude in behalf Of their palpable and
demonstrable rights that they must
wait until q presidential election oc-
CURED. Canadian-American diplomacy
has reached . deplorable pass. The
Alaskan boundary question IL not one
which should involve the politics Of
either nation. Either the Canadians
have right or they have none: either
Premier Laurier can demonstrate that
right or he has no title to the deceiy-
ing OF his people by a pompous boast
Of war. Either the United States owns
what II purchased from Russia and
proposes to retain It. or It proposes to
compromise needlessly and uselessly
for the sake OF good WILL" and In
either case the executive and commits
sional agencies should assume the re-
sponsibility and shield themselves be-
hind the righteousness of their convic-
tons. rather than behind the protection
OF an election past and irrevocable.
There IL no cali for this concession Of
free port-indeed. as 1t Is announced,
OF two free ports. Canada has done
nothing to merit this liberality upon
the part Of the American government.
She has conducted herself in none of
the temperament OF fraternity which
has prevailed In the mother country
since the outbreak Of the Spanish war.
She Is even now seriously and ceaseless-
~ striving to impose measures where
by American PRIVILEGES In the Klondike
gold fields and In the trade associated
Laurier himself seeks to play a part Of
his procrastinating game by making
political capital Of this anti American
sentiment. The Canadian residents Of
the Yukon have vexed and irritated the
Americans and made interminab!e
trouble along the Alaskan border. They
are entitled to nothing that in absolute
law does not belong to them. The talk
OF ceding a free port. even for the pur-
pose Of temporary modus vivendi. is
stupid frippery. and should be eschewed
by men Of the character and reputation
OF the American members OF the Joint
high commission.
The free coal ard free lumber con-
cession il almost equally uncalled FOR.
Canadian coal Is not a fair competitor
OF the coal OF the Northwestern states,
for reasons which have been set forth
repeatedly in these columns. and II
should have placed against II such re-
striction as will establish IT upon an
equal basis. In lumber Senator Foster.
Of this state. has indicated the limit Of
concession to which it IL safe for The
United States TO go. and the lumber in
terests OF Minnesota and neishboring
states have placed their cause before
Senator Fairbanks and Congressman
Payne in such manner that the mis-
take now contemplated should be I'M
possible.
When Canada learns to lay aside her
bigoied provincialism and 70 assume
the dignified and broad-charactered
craftsmanship OF her home govern
ment. or TO approach the United States
In the friendly and liberal sp!ri; recently
manifested by Germany or by Mexico
or by Brazil, or even by remote Japan.
she may claim the privilege Of Ameri-
can generosity. Bat until that miilen-
nium arrives. she should have no free
ports. no easy ways to the sea with her
gold no open gates for her coal and her
lumber. no friendliness but that which
she herself exercises