The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1904-02-12

The northwestern states have moth
ing to lose, and everything to gain,
by reciprocity with Canada" said
Governor A. B. Cummins of Iowa at
the West hotel this morning. RE
moving the distractions in your trade
relations with the Canadian northwest
would make Minnesota the manufac-
turing center for all that vast terri
tory, and Minnesota would be the
route for the exporting of the raw
products of western Canada"
Governor Cummins was delayed in
his arrival and was too late to speak
at the Licoln Day exercises at the
state agricultural school. He went di-
rect from his train to the hotel, and
this afternoon spoke before the Wo-
mems Federation breakfast at the uni
versity armory Tonight he makes
the principal address at the Lincoln
day banquet. His faith in the cause Of
tariff revision and reciprocity is not
shaken, and he is satisfied that the
majority Of Iowa republicans are with
him: The conflict between the Iowa
idea and the stand patters' will
come to head at the next state con-
vention, when delegates are to be Sc
lected to the national convention.
Governor Cummins believes that his
ideas will be Endorsed at that conven-
ton.
There is an element in the republic
can party" said Governor Cummins
to-day" which deprecates any public
discussion of the tariff. I believe, on
the other hand, that we should give it
the widest discussion. We are soon to
formulate platform to guide our ma
tional policy, and if the subject is
ever going to be discussed, now is the
time.
II believe that reciprocity is a true
extension of the protective principle.
Nor would I limit reciprocity to prod
ucts that are noncompetitive, as some
advocate. I believe we can receive
trade benefits by making concessions
on competitive articles. Canada has
concessions to offer us, which more
than make up for anything we could
concede to them. But Canada is grow
ing less and less willing to make us
concessions, and these people who OPP
pose disturbing the tariff will wake up
some day to find the opportunity gone.
When England reaches out and draws
Canada closer to her by mutual trade
relations, it will be too late for us to
offer anything to Canada"
IoWa's governor pays taxes in Min
nesota, having bought some good
wheat land in Polk county. He says
Canadian wheat. However, he does
not undertake to say just what sort
of articles should be the basis of rec
iprocity treaties.
"Of course" he said, IT do not favor
making concessions to our neighbors
good in return. If they are not will
ing to give as we'll as take, then we
can do nothing. But this section of
the country cannot suffer from a gen
eral interchange of commodities. It
might work against the interests of the
rural population Of New York and
New England to have produce come in
from Canada free Of duty, and I can
| understand protests from there, but
not from this section of the country
That Roosevelt Interview.
Governor Cummins explained the
controversy that has sprung up over
his meeting with President Roosevelt
| and his statement that the president
was with him in his tariff ideas. 'It
was all DUE he said, Ito a forged
telegram. I did not discuss the tariff
| question with the president. / had
a pleasant talk with him, and after
ward a Washington correspondent for
one of our papers, which is hostile to
1t was a correct one, but in the office
of that paper part of the telegram was
deliberately cut out, and a statement
inserted, that T had told the president
I would support him, in spite Of our
differences over the tariff. When ]
came HON I stated that the president
and myself had no talk on the subject
I had proof that the dispatch was a
forgery, and I denounced it as such
| This papare then sent a dispatch to
| Washington, quoting me as saying that
the president had declared himself in
accord with me on the tariff question
That caused great furore, of course
| The president was seen about it, and
| presume he said that our conversation
had not touched on the tariff question
which was the. truth. Then they pro
claimed in big headlines, Roosevelt
Repudiates Cummfns.'
THAT is all there is to it. I have
the same right as any one, to judge
the presidents views by his public ut
terances, and T do not believe there is
any disagreement between himself and
me- on the tariff question.
| Governor Cummins' speech this
evening will be a general discussion of
national issues, but the part relating
to tariff revision and reciprocity will
be listened to with great interest.