The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1903-11-23
TO CHAMPION
RECIPROCITY
Democratic Party May Assume Task
Of Fulfilling Unredeemed Re-
publican Pledges.
Will Urge Reciprocity With Canada
and Point to Republican Do.
Nothing Policy.
From The Journal Bureau, Colorado Building,
Washington. IL - -

From The Journal Bureau, Colorado Building,
Washington.
Washington, Nov. 23.-With the
democratic party in congress becom-
ing the avowed champion of reel
procity with Canada, 1t Is very proba-
BILE that the republicans will be slim
ulated to undertake, the accomplish
ment Of definite results along the
same line. The Canadians have been
ready for a meeting Of the joint high
commission this winter, but the presi-
dent Is understood to have said that
such a meeting would be unwise, COM
ing on the eve of presidential cam
paign, as it would open up the tariff
question and thus add to the repub-
however, the president Is understood
to feel that something ought to be
done.
After the campaign may be too
late. It certainly would be. If Can
ada were not in particularly ugly
frame of mind towards the mother
country, on account Of the way in
which the Alaskan boundary dispute
has been settled. During this session
Of congress. and during the campaign
next year, the country will hear a
great deal from democratic speakers
| and newspapers about the failure Of
the republicans to accomplish any
Lll1Il6 dlOIlS lines. Inc
searchlight of publicity will be turned
on the treaties which for several
years have been hanging fire in the
senate. and on certain republican
members Of the Joint high commits
sion, notably Mr.. Payne of New York,
who at heart are determined that reci-
.procity with Canada shall not be Sc
thing that will make effective the re-
publican campaign and platform
pledges along reciprocity lines.
In Canada the British preferential
Is not now 80 popular as it was be-
fore the Alaskan boundary commits
sion made its report, and it may well
be questioned whether Mr.. Chamber
lain can make any headway there
with his scheme for high protective
wall to be built about the British en-
ptre. If Canada should conclude to
stay out of such an agreement, it
would fall to the ground. Canada un-
derstands that she holds the whip
clined to be independent. IT. while
this state Of mind continues, some
thing could be done to show that this
country Is still in favor Of reciprocity,
and to that end would like to see the
joint high commission reassembled. it
would serve to draw the two coun-
tries closer together, and thus defeat
the Chamberlain proposition Such a
policy on our part would accomplish
two important results: 1t would pre-
serve our open market in England,
and link us closer to Canada CONNER
cially, both ends very greatly to be
desired.
After all. the question Is purely one
Of business. There is little opportun-
ity for it's use for partizan purposes.
and the democratic party, under Mr..
Williams lead, is doing a very com
nendable, and at the same time a
very tactful. thing when it proposes
to occupy practically republican
ground as to reciprocity, and go the
republicans one better by guarantee
ing to do something, If given the
power.
It would not be surprising If next
year both national platforms were
substantially identical as to reciprocity
and if the democratic platform should
contain a tariff plank committing the
party to revision along protection
lines, monopolies being the point OF
tariff attack. Such unanimity Of plat.
form would probably work to the
harm Of the republican party In the
campaign, because Of It's unfulf1lle6
pledges along those lines.
4 w. w. Jermane.