The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1903-12-05
REPUBLICANS
NOT TO BLAME
Attribute Failure to Convene the Joint
High Commission to the
Canadians.
Senator Fairbanks overtures Have
Not Been Taken Up By Pre-
mier Laurier.
Republican Answer to John Sharp
Williams Anent the Canadian
Reciprocity Resolution.
From the journal Bureau, Colorado Building,


From the journal Bureau, Colorado Building,
Washington.
Washington, Dec. 5.-Republlcans
in congress have got their second
wind, and are replying to the argu-
ments made by John Sharp Wl!naIns'
the minority leader, In favor or reel
procity in general and Canadian reel
procity in particular. They say tnat
Mr.. Williams is not sincere, that MS
party never has been sincere on these
questions, and that he has no other
purpose now than to create campaign
capital.
Specifically, it is asserted that MT.
RECOMMENDING of the joint high commits
sion, was purposely drawn SO as to
ignore the fact that the administra-
ton had already done everything pos
.sible to bring the commission to-
gether. Overtures have been made
by this country for the reconyening OF
the commission, but Canada has not
responded. It's therefore up to
Canada to do something, say the re-
publican leaders. @a~
y The democrats have charged that
reconvening of the commission could
be had this winter. If the adm1nistra-
ton favored 1t, the Canadians being
ready to meet whenever the word
came from Washington. In reply to
that charge republicans here say that
there is nothing in the situation war
ranting such a statements Last
March, they point out Senator Ealr-
banks, at the request of the president,
wrote Sir Wilfrid Laurier, asking him
to join in a call for g. reconvening Of
the commission. Sir Wtlfrld replied,
saying that as soon as possible after
the coming together of parliament.
then about to take place, he would be
glad to meet Mr.. Fairbanks and dis
cuss the matter. That session lasted
all summer and part Of the fall, clos
ing late in October, and yet Sir VIII
frid Laurier has not done anything to
bring the interview about. No doubt,
the Canadian premier was sincere but
he has been compelled to play GOOD
deal Of politics at home, and his coun-
try Is now on the eve. apparently, OF
a general election, which Will deter
mine whether or not his party the
liberal, shall remain in control. some
of these considerations may have PFC re-.
vented him from carrying cut his
proposed plan as to meeting with
Senator Fairbanks, but whatever the
consideration, the meeting has not
been held, and. the republicans Feel
that Fairbanks cannot properly renew
the suggestion of last March.
In this connection it may be said
that, while Eugene G, Hay Of Mime
sofa now a member Of the board OF
general appraisers in New York, was
representing the Minnesota branch OF
the National Reciprocity league, he
had interviews with Laurier and with
John Charlton, the leading rectprocl-
ty advocate in the Canadian com
mons, In which he urged upon them
the Importance Of having the joint
high commission meet as early as pos
sible and finish its labors prior, to the
opening Of the presidential campaign
in this country. Mr.. Hay pointed Out
in these interviews that this govern.
ment might object to having the com
mission meet later than the early par
of December this year. Yet the Ca.
nadians have not replied to the Fair
banks suggestion.
It is said here by leading repub
licans that the whole question OF Ca
madam reciprocity is now in that stage
where the executive branch of thu
government and not the legislativ
must act. The executive department
is said to have done everything tina
Us possible at this time. So far a
congress Is concerned. it can do moth
ing but make a noise until a treaty ha
been negotiated. After this it will b
up to congress to ratify the treat
or to reject it. But for the present
has nothing to do with the case an
oASSA
in the spring and Mr.. William!
therefore, to sum up the arguner
from the republican standpoint,
merely indulging in a bit Of "hot air
for political purposes.
A Chance for Meeting.
In the Interim, it is suggested b
friends of reciprocity that the prope
thing at this juncture is for reciproc1
ty advocates to do a little missioner
work in Canada. The moment til
Canadian premier acts, If the matte
be not delayed until after the first {
the year, he will be met half way b
the American government, and tn
commission will get together in tn
city.
obviously, President Roosevelt doe
not want the joint high commissio
in session during the presidential can
paign, and no republican, DESTROYS {
party success, wants 1t. But If tt
meeting can come in time to close til
work of drafting a treaty before tt
campaign opens, it will be welcome
: 1t may also be true that Sir WI
frid Iaurier, who is thinking Of al
'pealing to the country In February
perhaps in January-does not wal
the joint high commission to meet
this time. It's meeting would nece
state his absence from the countr
GERS and advisers, at a time when tn,
could not be spared. Their absen
might change the result Of the ele
tion.
To sum up the situation, therefor
the chances for a meeting Of the joi
high commission this winter are r
garded in Washington as being We
be done until year from now, or aft
fha presidentia1 election.