The Washington times., 1902-10-19
Premier Bond, of Newfound-
land, Secures Consent to
Reciprocity With United
States.
A DECADE OF EFFORT
Canada and New England Oppose
the Agreement, However, and
the Negotiations May Fall
Through.

Sir Robert Bond, premier of New
foundland, who returned to Washington
Friday night to renew the negotiations
for reciprocity treaty between his
colony and the United States, has Oh
tanned the consent of the British gov
ernment to the convention and practi-
cally no doubt remains that it will be
signed before Congress assemblies, and
sent to the Senate for ratification early
in December.
Provisional Draft Made.
A provisions al draft Of the treaty mas
already been made, bu. the negotiations
have not been completed. and persons
not likely that the signatures will be
attached to the formal document during
Sir Roberts present visit.
In connection with the treaty negotia-
tions, 1t has developed that when Presi-
dent Roosevelt left his jackson Square
residence for Secretary Hays, on Mon
day night, shortly before the beginning
of the important conference with J..
Pieroont Morgan, it was for the pur-
pose of meeting Sir Robert Bond and
discussing with him the proposition that
the abortive Blaine Bond reciprocity
1t is understood that Mr.. Roosevelt ex
pressed his willingness that there should
be a -eaewal, and Sir Robert, who was
called home suddenly, left Washington
feeling very mut h encouraged over the
prospect OF carrying through his pet
scheme.
A Decade of Effort.
Within a reasonable time after the
failure of the Biaine-Bond convention.
Sir Robert began a renewal of his ef-
forts to induce the British government
to abandon its opposition to this i'm
rortant arrangement, and his persis-
tcncy, maintained for more than dec
ade, has at last met with success. The
crly other opposition TO be reckoned
with now is said to be that of the
nomirion of Canada, which, according
to reports, is opposed to the negotia
tion of a reciprocity treaty between tn.
United States and Newfoundland. unless
the Dominion can secure similar bene-
fits. Great Britain thinks il would not
he wise to recognize Newfoundland as
independent of the Dominion interna-
tional affairs. This feeling exists today
in Canada, and in view OF the unwilling
ness of the mother country to offend
the Dominion, there is a fear ex-
pressed IN some quarters that the coz
sent of the imperial authorities to the
treaty NAV be withdrawn. However,
those actively engaged in rerfectine the
arrangement say that nothing of the sort
Is likely to occur.
New England's Attitude.
Among those in a position to know
there is apprehension that the treaty |
will be fought bitterly by the New Ems
land Senators, acting in response to a |
strong sentiment among the people OF
some Of the New England States The |
fisherman OF Maine and Massachusetts,. |
who exercise considerable influence. |
were very much opposed 70 the provis-
ions OF the Blaine Bond treaty. that In |
exchange for the privilege extended to
American fishermen of buying bait in
Newfoundland, fish from the colony
should be imported into the United
States without payment of duty
This provision. II is said. has been in
corporated into the provisional draft Of
the convention under negotiation.