The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1903-02-20

who is. the chairman Of the commission.
wrote Sir Wilfrid Laurier, the prime min
lister of Canada, proposing a meeting. in
March, but Sir Wilfrid has replied that
several of the Canadian members are SO
much engaged with their parliamentary
duties that it would be impossible to
meet at that time but agrees to renewal
Of negotiations in the early summer. AS
the commission held its first session at
Washington it will be only polite for it
to meet at the Canadian capital.
The commission assembled under a pro-
tocol which mentioned specifically eleven
subjects for consideration and was au-
thorized to take jurisdiction over such
others as might occur or be suggested
to its members, the idea being to wipe
everything off the slate. They proceeded
with great success, until the Alaska
boundary was reached. when there was
a deadlock. The United States commits
sioners proposed a, treaty similar to that
which has recently been signed by Score
tary Hay and Sir Michael Herbert under
which a joint commission is to deter
mine the line between Alaska and British
Columbia but the proposition was re-
jected, ard no other mode Of settlement
could be agreed upon. The Americans
then suggested that the Alaska question
be passed over, but the Canadians insisted
that it must be settled before any other
topic was taken up for consideration. their
idea being that they could obtain better
terms from the United States If the set
tement Of other matters were dependent
| upon It, There was also a deadlock over
the duty on lumber, the lumbermen OF
Michigan, Wisconsin,, Oregon and Wash
ington refusing their. consent. to any re-
! duction from the present tariff of s. a
thousand. -
Nearly all the other questions were
sa satisfactorily disposed Of Excepting lum-
Der a satisfactory basis for a reciprocity
treaty was found, and that is perhaps the
| most important to the United States of all
the matters at issue. although judging
from the fate of other reciprocity trea-
ties, it is doubtful whether any arrange
| ment recommended by the high joint COM
mission would be ratified by the senate.
The Hay-Bond treaty contains some of
the most valuable concessions ever made
in favor of the manufacturing industries
of the United States, yet it cannot be
ratified because it is objected to by the
| town of Gloucester. Mass.
Those who are taking special interest
| in the subject are convinced that public
| opinion in both political parties is strong
| ly in favor of a reciprocity treaty with
Canada, and no one can deny that it would
| be the most important treaty that could
| possibly be made with any nation. But
| if our manufacturing industries are to
| obtain such advantages we must natural
| ly make some concessions in favor of the
lumber and agricultural industries of the
Dominion. We must admit CANADIAN
wheat to the mills al Minneapolis, Cana
4 dian vegetables to the markets of Michi-
gan, New York and New England; Cana
dian hay, potatoes, poultry and eggs will
be shipped across the border, and, if the
usual rule is to be followed, every lumber
j man, every market gardener and every ole
woman who has a hen coop on this side
4 will appeal to her senator to vote against
ratification. Although every body is in ia
/ yor OF Canada admitting our manufac.