The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1905-01-06
May Meet This Winter.

From The Journal Bureau, Colorado Building,
Washington.
Washington, Jan. Cit seems prob
able that there will be meeting this
winter Of the joint high commission to
discuss various questions that for
number OF years, have been in dispute
between Canada and the United States.
Senator Fairbanks, the chairman Of
the American branch of the commission,
| is soon to be installed as vice presi-
dent, which will probably mean that ha
will sever his connection with the COM
mission. He is anxious, before he
steps out, to accomplish something that
will be to his credit: He wrote several
letters to Sir Wilfrid Laurier at Otta-
wa, and when he learned that Sir Will
frld had gone to southern California,
| he wrote him there, but received no re-
plies. But now he is said to have re-
ceived letter favoring meeting OF
the commission.
| Why Laurier Was Coy.
While very little has been made pub
lie in explanation of the probable rea-
son for Sir Wilfrid 8 failure to make u
prompt response to Senator Fairbanks
several formal letters, it is we'll under
stood that his course has met with the
cordial approval of the Canadian public.
During the last session of congress,
! 1OC ~ CSCHCdOlFC .SCItuO dyIe OI NEW
York, chairman Of the committee on
ways and means, and a member of the
high joints,'' on the floor of the
house, made a short speech, in the
course Of which he criticised the Can
adam members Of the commission very
severely, and, among other things,
accused them Of bad faith. This speech
report Of it reached Ottawa, Sir Will
frid, it is understood, addressed let
ter to Senator Fairbanks, complaining
Of the speech and demanding an explain
alton Of it.
4 It would have been easy for Senator
Fairbanks to have smoothed out the
Canadian wrinkles by asking Mr.. Payne
place, and qualify his original state
ments: It would also have been easy
for him, after consultation with Mr..
Payne, to have given statement to the
Associated Press, explaining the speech
and saying something that would take
} either kind was done. Instead, the
to Sid Wilfrid. This letter was good
as far as it went, but very naturally
:, the Canadian premier did not care to
} accept 3itssas balancing the account. 1t is
: very we'll understood here that the
3 Payne speech has been at the bottom of
| Sir Wilfrid s coyness.
Canadian Dignity Satisfied.
:. Now, however, the Canadian dignity
| seems to have been satisfied, and on
| both sides Of the line steps are being
: taken which will undoubtedly bring the
commission together.
The joint high commission was formed
in 1897, and it held it's first meeting in
Quebec, in August, 1898. After SEES
sion which lasted until about the middle
, Of October, it adjourned, having, accom-.
IN November. : This s' second 1sn SESSION ION
lasted until the latter part Of February,
1899, and was as barren Of results as the
first. The rock upon which the COM
) mission split was the Alaska boundary,
: which was afterwards settled in favor
which met in London in September,
. 1903 The Canadians were greatly dis
pleased with this decision, but their
, anger, for the most part, was directed
= against England and Lord Alverstone.
I Questions to Come Up.
= Among the questions yet to be set
fisheries alien labor laws, the bonding
o privilege and the seal fisheries.
AS for reciprocity between Canada
and the United States, the condition of
: public sentiment in both countries is
hardly sufficiently crystallized to jus
tify the commission, even if this subject
were brought up, in taking any definite
action. The practical difficulties which
t beset this question are many, and it
might in the end be found wise to post
pone action entirely, so far as the
> commission is concerned, and leave
. the Ottawa and Washington govern
), ments to take it up, either thru the
y treaty-making power, or by legislative
. enactment Outside of reciprocity
e however, there are enough subjects of
general interest demanding attention
g to Justify the commission in getting to.
e gether at an early date.
y w w JermanA