Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1904-09-03

met as to the question of reciprocity
with the United States. In future let.
tiers l will have more to say about this
subject, but herewith | will give the
expression of a prominent Canadian of.
fetal whom met on the train between
Winnipeg and Banff. For personal rea-
sons he requested that should omit
his name. The conversation was sub.
stantially as follows:
''How do the Canadians feel toward
the people of the United States?"
eve like them, we want them to EN-.
igrate to Canada in great numbers.
the more the better. They make the
best class of settlers, and after they
have been here five years they make
the best kind of Canadians"
How about reciprocity"
Reciprocity! Well, I'll tell you
about reciprocity. A few years ago
we wanted it, and sent commissioners
to Washington asking for It, You
scorned our offers and practically treat
ed us with contempt We did not real
lie orr own resources then. Now we
are better informed. Now, you people
are talking about offering us reciproc-
lty, and We on our part are not special
ly interested. Let me tell you, north
western Canada alone will in few
years TEEN with a population of more
millions than there are now in all
Canada. We have the farms and cattle
and stock ranges, not only to feed our
selves but to furnish surplus for ex.
port, We have untold, and as yet large
ly undeveloped mineral wealth includ-
ing great coal and oil deposits. We
nave water powers with which to make
cheap electricity. Electric power
largely solves the question of manufac-
turing. We will do our own manufac-
turing. Our laws are admirable. To-
day no one can hold Canadian paten,
more than brief period of time with
out manufacturing the article in Can.
ada. and that, too, in sufficient quan.
titles to supply the Canadian demand.
The United States has set us an ex-
ample and we will follow it. If you
want reciprocity with us now you can
come to us with your proposition. OF
course, we are business men and ready
for a business proposition at any time,
put rest assured that the time has gone
by when the Canadians are willing to
talk about reciprocity ON a basis of
Tree admission of raw materials into
the United States in exchange for the
Tree admission of manufactured articles
from the United States into Canada.
There is a national spirit and feeling
abroad in Canada that is surprising
even to ourselves"
Well, how about annexation?"
Now, look here my friend, that is
good question as a joke, if intended
as a joke. as I assume it is, but If
anybody in Canada started out to SER
1ously and prominently advocate an
neXation, fear he would be mobbed. .
While this expression from an of
hcial on the subject of reciprocity may
be a-little strong, 1 give it just as it
was given to me, and as 1t was ap-
proved by the person interviewed after
being read over to him AS to what
the rank and file Of the people think
OF this question, hope to say more in
future letters.
Western Canada is certainly beauti-
full at this season of the year, and 1
NNN>'S own any lSuQSlS SOlllS Vi luG
sedate views of enthusiastic Canadians
as well as told of some of the things
that have myself seen. but after all
| would really like to visit this country
myself in nid-winter. That 1t is cold In
winter is certain, though there is con-
siderable variation. The climate in the
far west and northwest Is much less
severe than In Manitoba, for instance.
Some people say they do not feel the
cold; others say they do not mind it;
still others admit that they both feel
and mind" the cold, but that the sum-
mers are fine and other conditions sat
isfactory, and they can stand the win
tiers.
Leaving my family at Beautiful
Banff, expect to go north about 200
miles to Edmonton, the most northerly
railway point in America that is con-
nected with the railway systems of this
country. Edmonton is located in the
Saskatchewan Valley and is said to be
the centre of wonderfully rich agri-
cultural section.
A. w. Lee.