Omaha daily bee., 1902-10-28

UNFRIENDLF TO TIE UNiTED STATES.
All advices coming from Canada agree
that there is a growing feeling Of I'M
friendliness in that country toward the
United States. This sentiment is due
chiefly II not entirely to commercial
considerations. According to n CORE
spondent at Toronto Of the Springfield,
Mass, Republican, the general feeling in
the province of ontario is almost bitter
against America and he says that taking
the Dominion as a whole the feeling
cannot be described as in the least cor
dial. The Canadians are represented as
looking upon the United States as a
supremely selfish nation, from which
Canada can hope for no kindly consid-
Grafton whatever. This correspondent
n that even the free traders among
the Canadians have come to despair Of
securing closer commercial relations
and those who at one time regarded pc.
litical union as inevitable and perhaps
desirable, have became a negligible
quantity. All idea of possible annexa-
ton, according to this correspondent,
which was largely entertained a few
years ago, has been abandoned, so that
nobody now ventures to talk Of a 20
litical union between the Dominion and
the United States.
While for a time it was doubtful
which of several political schemes-an-
nexation to the Omitted States, independ-
ence, or continued maintenance Of the
imperial connection-would be success
full, now annexation is no longer
thought Of and independence is not seri-
ously advocated by anyone of political
influence. The whole tendency Of feel
ing is now concentrated upon the goal
Of a strong Canadian nationality within
thu Rritish empire. 1t is said that the
refusal Of the United States to grant
trade reciprocity has ~deepened the feel
ing of Canadians that, after all, their
true policy was to get along without
the American market and seek closer
commercial relations abroad, while
strengthening their already existing
bond with Great Britain.
All intelligent Americans realize that
the question of relations between the
Dominion and the United States is a
very practical and serious one, not to be
treated lnconsiderately or %fippantly. AS
neal ~neighbors 1t is manifestly desirable
that the two countries shall be OH
friendly terms. To this end both should
be willing to make fair and equitable
concessions. Canada, however, has not
thus far shown a disposition to do this.
On the contrary, she has almost uni
formly been exacting in her demands
and even as to her treaty obligations
she has not been honest. In the mat
ter of trade reciprocity she has always
asked more than she has been will
ing to concede. While asking free
trade for her natural products she has
insisted upon discriminating In her tariff
in favor of British manufacturers. In
behalf of a ~preposterous and indefen-
sible claim to American territory in
Alaska Canada blocked all negotiations
for a settlement of the questions in issue
between that country and the United
States.
The American people do not desire to
annex Canada. Some of our statesmen
have urged that this must inevitably
come, but there is very little sentiment
at present in favor of 1t. Our people
however, do earnestly desire to cultivate
friendly relations with the Dominion
and they are now as always willing to
do this on a fair and equitable basis.
Regretable as is the growing feeling of
hostility toward the United States In the
Dominion we shall make no undue sacri-
fee to stay it and shall not fear to meet
any future contingency that may grow
out of 1t.