Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-05-04
A VANISHED DREAM
Canada's Hope Of Trade Favors
From England
RUDELY AW KEN ED
WILL NOT BE GIVEN PREFEREN-
TIAL TREATMENT.
Now Thinking Of Entering Into Nego-
tiations for Reciprocity With
Other Countries.

The dream of a colonial preferential tariff
arrangement with England with which the
Canadian voters have been entertained for
the past six years has vanished. BY abol-
fishing the import duty on breadstufs the
English government has extricated itself
from most embarrassing position in rsla-
ton to the colonies, but at the same time
has put a damper upon the Canadian hope
of enlarging her English trade at the ex-
pense of the United States.
The Canadian budget speech was deliver
ed in the house of commons in Ottawa on
the afternoon of April L.. 1t was a decla-
ration of commercial independece for Can
ada. England was warned that her colony
had reached the limit in bestowing favors
upon the mother country without more
tangible returns. 1t was intimated to the
United States that while Canada would
be patient it was high time something
was doing in the reciprocity line. COM
mercial war was declared against Germany
because of five years Of fruitless nego-
tiations and German goods now entering
the Dominion of Canada pay surcharge
amounting to an additional one-th1rd or the
regular tariff schedule.
AS if in reply to the plain talk of its
wheat producing colony. Canada. the En-
glish budget speech was delivered on April
., one week after the Canadian proclama-
the warning issued by Canada, but the
only existing ground for reciprocal or pref
erential favors was swept away by the
abolition of the grain tax.
Even on the day the English budget
speech was delivered in the house of COM
mons Sir Wilfrid Laurier made the state
ment in the dominion parliament that he
was even then not yet prepared to say
whether the reported abolition of grain du-
ties in England applied merely to colonial
produce whether it was sweeping
measure entirely wiping out the tax. Inc
cable resume of the Birth budget merely
stated that the tax had been removed. and
so keen was the hope Of the Canadians that
they had at last won their battle for pref
erential they chung to the delus1on that
more detailed statement would show Cana
dian products were to be admitted to Brit
ish markets on better terms than the prod
ucts Of foreign countries.
Canada's Disappointment.
A few hours later. however. it was known
that this much valued basis Of reciprocal
negotiations had been swept away, leaving
Canada once more at loss for point
Of attack upon the English government.
The Canadian defiance still stands, how
ever and with the opposition party ques-
tioning it's value and the party In power
unable to secure adequate returns for ia
vors bestowed. it would not be unreasonable
to expect that In the near future English
goods will not enter the Canadian markets
upon such advantageous terms as at pres
ent
The Canadian law which gave this prefer
entail advantage to England Is known as
the Fielding tariff. Mr.. Fielding Is still the
minister Of finance Of the dominion. Having
originated this policy Of favoring British
products. and firmly believing that the pref
erence thus given was worthy OF some re-
turn from the favored country. 1t Is sig
nificant to find In his budget speech Of last
month a broad intimation to England that
osrv tn, hn
near future Canadian resentment will find
expression in a revision of the tariff laws.
The English government has taken Its
present attitude Notwithstanding the ofrer
of the Canadian representatives at the CO.
lonial conference to still further increase
the preferential advantages to English
goods in Canadian markets If England
would give something in return. While
eyading the tariff question England called
upon Canada for military and naval sup
port and as an offse- to AN tariff conces-
sions and all support given the British en-
pire, set forth the protection of the British
flag to Canadian territory and commerce
through the English consular service the
world about.
Canada's Military Protection.
The attitude Of Canada toward a further
contribution to the military strength Of
the British empire was shown by Sir Rich
ard Cartwright in his speech of few days
the party in power to be that instead Of
contributing directly to the British army
or navy resources Carada should spend her
money upon the orga niZaton or an enec-
tive Canadian militia from which, II deem.
ed best, troops could be drawn in times OF
British needs.
If the utterances Of the minister of
finance are anything more than blum at
the home government 1t now rests WIN
Canada to take steps to show her dlssatis,
ont w n
If the liberal party carries out the poncy
announced in the buCget speech, 1t means
that England will In the future be treated
the same as other countries at the cana
dian custom houses
Always Peace With This Country.
Canada needs no protection by England
against any country in the world. The
United States will never go to war against
Canada, neither will the United States ever
allow a foreign country to obtain loot
hold upon Canadian soil. Here the Monroe
doctrine would come into active USE TOT
az Senator Hoar remarked many years ago,
..rhe United States reserves to itself the
exclusive privilege Of licking canada:
Still there Is strong tie between Cahaua
and England and there Is not SO mucn
taIk Of annexation to the United states as
there was some years ago. In 1act the
subject Is now very rarely discussed. es-
necially since the failure of the negotiations
for reciprocity conventions pet"eeii 'i40 WV
countries. ,, ,,+,
There is undoubtedly considerable irrlta-
tion among the Canadian politicians over
the fact that England maintains her lndli-
ferent attitude toward this great bread
producing colony, and refuses TO RESPOND
to the very tangible overtures which have
been made from this side of the Atlantic.
a strong Anglo Canadian will explain his
leaning toward England upon the grounds,
first. his personal loyalty to the flag; sec
ond the protection afforded to Canada by
the British empire. 1t Is recognized, as
stated that Canada needs no protection
against invasion, but her commerce Is pro-
tected in all parts of the world by the Brit
ish consular service, and her interests are
looked after by the English diplomatic
corps.
There will be no direct contribution from
Canada to the British navy or army A
proposal to grant contribution OF money
to the English exchequer from Canadas
revenues would undoubtedly defeat the
Canadian political party proposing it. Can
crown at an annual expense of about
$50 600 and her contributions to the British
forces in South Africa in the recent war
performed such excellent service for the
British flag that they feel no indebtedness
to the British military forces for what may
have been done or is promised for the fu-
ture.
Loyalty to England.
Canadian legislation and public express