The Washington times., 1904-09-13
CANADIAN CITIES
SPLIT ON TARIFF
Manufacturers Opposed to
Free Trade or Reciprocity. .
PUBLIC OPINION IS IGNORED
In Quebec There Is Manifested an Eag-
erness for Trade Treaty With
United States.
PUBLIC OPINION is IGNORED

haulaA hlSh tarlI. Furthermore, IL is
dominated. not numerically, but quite
potentially, by Tory interests.
Toronto manufacturers, and some Of
them have come hither from the United
States. do not want any Iessening or
lowering Of the existing trade barriers.
They are doing well; their Canadian
market is growing by leaps and bounds,
they are organized for protection. and
they have better access to the powers
AZ ottawa than has the public
IN Vhe contrary. they wish for an en-
hanced tarin embargo against America.
ana IN the Chamberlain plan they fore
see this. to them, most desirable de-
movement
Denounce Reciprocity.
Here more than anywhere else in Can
ada you Will hear reciprocity. free trade.
and commercial unity denounced as lii
tie less than treason, since, according 10
the tariff orators and pubIicists. each in
turn Is but an entering wedge for an
EeAauon, and parting of the ways with
land. "a e
1t is a bold and effective campaign CRY.
ana II may swing elections in tn,. ru-
tiure,l as II has done in the past for
re IOyal unionist, the Scotch imperialist
ana the Irish Orangeman rally TO il eacf,
upon ms own narrow line OF thought or
pre- 1udice. but all to d common center.
As strictly unitarian policy. how
ever. reciprocity with the United States
commends itself TO the majority of
the electorate at Toronto, as IL does TO
the majority OF the voters Of all the
province OF ontario. Importers, job
Ders, wholesalers, and consumers real
lze mat they are gradually falling into
the hands of the manufacturers.
II lhey could strip the reciprocity
question of its sentimental and bigoted
aspects they would be for il by large
majority The bread and butter voice
OF the majority cries for reciprocity but
son.
Meanwhile the manufacturers do the
iCobylnE' the Liberal government s
hands are tied by the uniformly an
tagonistic posture OF the Washington
Congress, and its feet are bound i'm
waiting upon the British decision upon
In sever years more than 5000 10000 Of
american money has been invested at
Montreal in factories. An equal sum Of
Canadian money has been put into en-
terprises which originated in the United
States, but which have been brought to
Montreal and installed for the original
and final purpose Of capturing the
Canadian market by evading the tariff
Keen for Foreign Capital.
The Province Of Quebec. Montreal es-
pecially. is keen for the induction Of
foreign capital. Nothing could have
better nourished this desire than the
Canadian port duty on articles of for
eign mannfaetHre and the prohibitive
American impOst on stufrs made in
Canada. Within seven years a total Of
nearly S5O.00O.0)0 has been invested in
manufacturing business here to the end
that this province and it's tributary ter
ritory be no longer dependent upon or
subservient to American factories in
the lines included.
In Montreal. If anywhere in Canada
you viii find that the Dominion manu-
faCturer is pleased with the tariff OBJ
structiOn that the public dislikes. Only
half the factories of this great city Of
half million population are OF Ameri-
can origin. energiZed chiefly by Ameri-
can money and devoted 70 nothing hut
the main chance"
The Canadian capitalists associated
with these American born Industries are
innocent Of all sentiment American
models, American methods. American
policies arr used here. 10 the end that
Montreal threatens to become the foun-
tain head and focal point Of Canadian
manufacturing industries.
American as many Of the Montreal
manufacturers are. they are making TO
cutlery for reciprocity or free trade
Visiting say nifty OF the manufacturers
and jobbers Of Montreal. / find the for
mer uniformly favorable 10 the existing
tariff embargoes. What could be more
logical or, FOR that matter. more selfsn2
But with the jobber the wholesaler. Il
IS different. He would Ike 20 have an
open market. He wants reciprocity, end
he Is in the majority. Of course He
would wish TO buy in New York. In BOs-
ton. IN Chicago, in open competition for
low prices and equal values II there
were no Intervening tariff.
The consumer. more numerous still.
also wants his wares at the lowest price
consistent with staple values. But the
manufacturing element in politics IN in
huence, in weight Of invested interests
outwcighs public opinion and has bet
ter access to the dominant parties OF
politics
A canvass Of the manufacturers. mer-
chants importers and public men Of
Quebec reveals the fact that reciprocity
with the United States Is wauted-keen-
". intelligently. almost unanimously
wanted. Ard yet Quebec is pronounced
". positively and even haughtily al one
with the great maritime provinces and
cities in the faith that Canada will
never again initiate negotiations with
the United States looking 20 treaty
OF reciprocity or free trade.
Not Imperialism.
This feeling. or belief. has nothing 10
do with Imperialism. There is no evil
dent hostility here against the United
States: no eighteenth century royalists.
no refugees Of the Revolution. no Boer
war soreness. no regard Of Alaskan dis
pute or flag tearing bitterness TO make
difficult commercial understanding
with America.
NO EHCn pTeIuOlCeS are IN the way or
a cooperative and mutually beneficial
treaty between Canada and the States
so far as Quebec IS concerned But
# must be remembered that the French
Canadian. who practically rules Canada.
Is as proud his Latin forebears and
so good a politician that ne knows well
the dangers Of reviving at this time
any effort 20 gain commercial unity
with the United States
The issue is asleep" said John A.
Jordan, one Of the principal politicians
and publicists Of Quebec but let TIE
United States come forward with anv
kind OF fair proposal and f. would set
Quebec afire for reciprocity. The Cham
berIain tariff plan will become an issue
here in time. French Canada Is NOT Inn
perialistic. II wants nothing 10 DO with
imperialism. Then will be a time when
reciprocity with the United states NAV
lump into prominence again and then
IL ever IL will win
The existing tariff. especially on I'm,
ported paper. furniture, shoes. -four and
machinery. has had the effect OF bring
ing American manufacturers into QUE
bee with branch establishments which
are successfully operating IN the Can
adian market because they have evaded
the custom house.