The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1903-07-15
CANADA.
Our OId Treaty With Her-1ho Present
OutiOOk--'rhc Chamberlain scheme.

Our OId Treaty with Hcr-1ho Present
OutiOOk--Thc Chamberlain scheme.
To THE EDITOR OF THE SUN-Sir: Among
the contributions to the discussion now going
on In the columns OF THE Sun regarding
Canada, one Of the most interesting is that
Of Mr. S T. Richie of Akron, Ohio. which
appeared on July T. Especially to the point
was the closing paragraph OF his letter, In
which he appeals for moro liberal spirit
IN dealing with Canada in matters OF trade.
believing that it would be to the interest OF
this country.
1t has always been more or less OF mystery
In Canada why the United States should for
so long have repealed every overture made
by Canada for closer commercial relations,
even commercial union. The treaty OF 1854
was so profitable TO both countries, and tended
to develop such intimate relations between
Them that its abrogation in 1887 was little
short Of calamity The causes that brought
about the Pronunciation Of the treaty need not
lie discussed here they were the work OF
the hereditary enemies Of the United States,
and not of the people OF Canada. whose SYM
pathy was all along with the North and in
favor Of the preservation OF the Reputlic
Under tho operation Of the reciprocity treaty
the aggregate interchange of commodities
bet tween the provinces and this country rose
from an annual average OF Sl4, 900. 900 In the
previous eight years to no less than Ss4, 900, 900
in gold the year OF its abrogation. The
United States exports to Canada during the
treaty came to as much as those to China.
Austria, the Argentine, Denmark. Turkey,
Portugal. the Sandwich Islands, and the
Central American States all put together.
ton AZ the close Of the civil war. had become
practically part OF the American home mar.
kct All that was lost by stroke Of the
The lost ground,
| remember well at the time of the abroga-
tion of the reciprocity treaty the effect 1t had
was overrun by American buyers of every
thing in the shape Of agricultural produce:
and everywhere they were welcome, They
no need to waste time to look for market:
the market came to his door. and he could
stay at home. attending to production. The
nbrogati0n 81 the treaty in 1887 ended all
that, and black shadow fell over Canadian
ErosperIty i. The CANADIAN, producer was
in competition with India. the Colonies and
other countries; and prices. rapidly fell !
speak with experience on the subject, for I
the denuGciation OF the treaty and believing
II would be prolonged. had acquired some
eight square miles. Of finely wooded and
communcation. by river and canal with
Lake, Champla in, for tho ordinary timber
ana liner woods, ana modest competence
seemed within reach. But all prospect ended
with the termination OF the treaty, and when
a few years after parted with the property
the price received, barely covered the ex-
penditure that had been necessarily made
TO operate il in view Of the market this ooun-
try afforded. Many others suffered In tho
same way The British market offered no
compensation whatever for the loss CT that
in the United States, and what is more, with
al duo respect e the Imperial Federalists.
Canadian and British It never can The
scheme Of Mr. Joseph Chamberlain is an
artificial arrangement Of checks and bal
gnces that will 70 to pieces the day IL il sub
jccted to extraordinary strain reciprocity
between this country and Canada would be
q rational foundation on which TO build
broader commercial union. and for the good
Of the two countries IL cannot come too soon.
The political connection that would develop
later may be left to come of itself. the inn
portant thing il to establish the first link
For Canadian with whom the interest OF
Canada stands nrst and last. there can, be
no hesitation ms TO where his loyalty Ia due.
II belongs first to his country and then to the
great continent Of which it forms an integral
portion; but II Is incumbent on the sta teSmen
of the United states to do their share in con-
soldHting tho sentiment and interests of the
two countries The door IL still open to q
fair offer and fair dealing A CANADIAN.
NEW YORK, July IL