Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-06-12
TRADE WITH CANADA
MOVEMENT THERE TO ADVANCE
IMPORT TAXES.
Matter Will Be Carefully Considered
Next Winter in Connection with
Reciprocity Treaty.

,Ihe movement that has been started ana
is being pushed in Canada for an advance
In the import tax on iron and steer ana
other products. which If effected will have
a particularly important effect on the rela-
tons between the United States and the
people beyond our northern border. is being
watched at this time In relation to its bear
ing on Mr. Joseph Chamberlains plan for a
customs union for the British possessions.
The Canadian movement is understood to
have very little support outside of certain
restricted circles The Canadian govern
ment is as firmly attached to the idea of
taking down the tariff barriers between
that country and the United States as ever.
and the fact that the National Reciprocity
League is making vigorous campaign at
this time for practically free trade relations
between the two countries is believed here
TO be sufficient to prevent any action by the
Canadian parliament for the purpose of
further obstructing the exchange of the
products.
For Effect on Congress.
There is feeling here that for its effect
on Congress next December it Is quite like
ly that a vigorous campaign may be waged
In Canada for higher duties on goods going
into that country from the United States
This. 1t is thought may be done in order to
indicate to Congress that If 1t does not con-
cede the reciprocal arrangement that many
Canadians desire to bring about, the trade
that the United States has with Canada
will be restricted
The feeling in Congress, so far as has
ever been indicated by speeches made In
the past and by the attitude of prominent
senator's toward the suggestion for reci-
procity. that has been agitated vigorously
during the past several months. is such as
to hold out little hope to the advocates of
reciprocity, except as the result of a very
sturdy fight.
The Importance of the contention now
going on In relation to the trade of Canada
reaches much farther than the mere trade
OF that country. or at least the advocates
of reciprocity with Canada will seek to
link that subject with the larger pro ject
advocated by Mr.. Chamberlain for a Gus
toms union for the British colonies. Mr..
Chamberlain's suggestion has failed to call
forth any important support In England
the men of influence in that country, al
most without exception, having reasserted
their time-honOred principles of free trade.
Free trade is the only policy that the con-
servative English statesmen look upon as
fitting for that country, and they are Civ
Ing little. If any, support to Mr.. Chamber
lain's plan for a commercial union.
Probable Action.
When this matter comes up in the next
SoHSieSS, dS IL Is sure 10 come, IN COnncC-
ton with the suggestion of a reciprocity
treaty with Canada. there Is little doubt
that the thought of republicans will be d.
rected to the Importance of such action as
may be desirable in order to keep the trade
OF the world open to this country on the
same favorable basis that 1t Is open to
every other nation. The idea Of trade re-
strictions In China, to which European ma
tons still look with the idea that spheres
OF influence may be mapped out in the fu-
ture. or any suggestion for giving favored
opportunities to any country over the
United States. will call forth a protest that
Is not likely to be ignored
In the case of China the United States
could not. in view of it's policy in the past
accept any sphere of influence" but the
strongest stand would be made for allowing
this countrys products entrance there on
equal terms in matters of trade with every
other nation. permitting fair field, with
the greatest success in trade for the country
that can deliver goods under the best COM
petitiye conditions