The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-04-01
WHARTON BARKERON DUN TRADE
WITH CANADA,
Not Fast and west. but North and south
Lines Natural 70 Canadlan Commerce.

AAhFN NNNuNAN ~ NAhNNiMM NNNNuNANNa
To rHR Enron or THR srS-Sir; Tho
demand In New England for trade reciprocity
between the United states and the Dominion
OF Canada viii be looked upon Ia other sec
lions OF our country as narrow and az an
appeal OF manufacturers who seek q market
for their goods. 20 long as the demand IL sim-
ply for temporary reciprocity, to be had by
treaty that can be abroRated almost az any
time When the demand Is for commercial
union the people In all sections will he In ac-
cord. An offer OF such union viii be made by
Congress TO the Dominion Of Canada. and the
oher Will be one Canadians will accept. for II
will be just TO the people Of both countries.
Because have given to this great question
much attention for many years. ] venture
TO write this letter. wish to present 20 New
England people my view OF what commercial
union would accomplish. Most important and
most obvious among the reasons which
favor n complete reciprocity OF trade with
Canada Ia the sdvanta ge which would accrue
to both countries from the Increase Of the
markets for their respective products. We
would be admitted 10 Canada. and the Cana
dams 20 the United States Their country 10 one
OF colder climate than ours, It's products are
therefore different. and it, markets call for
other products than those which its own soil
affords. The supply OF this demand Is
legitimate commerce. Interchange OF COM
modities between countries 50 situated Is a
movement Of nature. and In this case its
|, naturalness is increased by the conhguration
Of tho border line.
The Canadian provinces lmpinEe upon the
United states much more than they do upon
each other. They lie in groups. each Of which
has it's closest geographical relations. not
with the other groups but with the adj dining
part OF our country. The Maritime Prov
inces find their counterpart in Maine Quebec
and ontario Join upon New Hampshire. YER
mont, New York and Michigan: while Mani
toba and the Canadian Northwest are the trade
associates Of Minnesota and our states vest
ward 10 the. Pacific. Interchange across the
line between these closely Joined regions
Is a. natural as the flow Of rivers and what
ever may be done 20 check It and 10 force
trade movement east and west through Cam
ada. passing from one 10 the other OF lie
several groups is done against the physical
laws OF their situation and interest
In view Of this the burden OF the present
system OF custom house barriers by which
Canada repels our trade. and we on our part
Tepel hers, becomes unreasonable. Here
Is not only one line but actually two lines.
OF custom houses and customs officers. main
tanned alone the enormous stretch OF territory
from the Atlantic to the Pacific. For nearly
four thousand miles this mutual repulsion
IL set up. That il Is costly to each nation is
evident: that il Il, or can be. entirely effective
~ Impossible, ana as lnt DOpuihllON on tdt'u
side OF the boundary increases, and especially
As trade centres grow up in the vast region
west Of the Great Lakes, i will become task
guard the line effectually.
Commercial union will dispose finally
and conclusiyely Of all questions Of dispute.
years. IL would establish a common rela-
tonshlp' the difficulties that must come up
N preser relations continue would be solved.
and the solution would be simple and peace
full, for Il would be Just and permanent. u
ogld se n dSSpsS 5aa' , SGs IN t sS
under our present system OF nnfriendlv in
terest are certain TO develop. The Canadians
would no doubt now reject any proposal for
the extension OF trade between the two coun-
tries that would be brought about by reciprOc-
YEAR, Sut thew could not refuse to CT come into
a commercial union, for they would see the
great advantages 20 accrue TO them from ~.
provinces into groups 20 which have already
referred causes much discussion ana friction
At Ottawa. The chafng OF each group Of
provinces in the Dominion over the ,compul-
sion OF its trade east and west, and the re
preston or IL north and south. testihes
ngalnst what Is arbitrary ana Uostetul IN
favor OF what Is natural and beneficial.
Commercial union must commend tselt
10 the approval 0f both classes OF economists
accepted nv both Those who'de'ire freedom
Of trade should see in this step by, which
the area OF unrestricted trade will he en-
largcd On the other hand, protectionists
must SEQ that II the two countries agree with
eNCn ntDeT lot the common maintenance OF
tho protective system the stability OF that
policy IN each must he all the more assured
Tor the friends Of protection in the United
States acceptance OF commercial union was
made possible when Canada, In 1879. adopted
her tariffs and protected her manufacturers
against those OF other countries even in
Guiding Great Britain. That step assimilsted
the policy OF Canada 20 that OF the United
States. and gave the two like, position and
interest with the ports Of Canada open TO the
wares Of Europe and Asia our customs line
along her border, however costly and bur
densome. would be necessity: hut with her
ports protected. the freedom Of the boundary
between the two countries has become both
prudent and easy.
strengthen both countries. adding 20 the
protected markets OF the one the pro
tected markets OF the other to be probably
enjoved by the diversified products OF each
We shall receive from Canada her store OF
ttmbev, prepared by nature for civilized
AGRICULTURAL products are deficient. the excess
OF those from Canada. without their cost
being increased 20 the consumer. The coal
Of Nova Scotia may then reach New England
al tho lowest cost while any loss to our mines
OF this trade will he made up by shipment
Unauestionsbly II will afford our nanufact-
urers OF many lines OF goods an increased
market ~ Canada, while i will leave 10 that
country the secure growth OF those manu-
featuring industries that enjoy ADVANTAGES
OF location or that are especially adapted
to Canadian conditions
All the conditions make commercial union
a NJ and appropriate measure. IL they we're
different 10 would not De such II the two
countries did not closely and naturally ad-
Join, II they lay IN the same belt. and COM
peted with each other for the disposition OF
the same products; II they were OF different
ranks OF civilizations II they differed ma
tarially in their standard OF social conditions.
II they held variant theoTies as TO the proper
status OF the laborinR people: N they had
divergent laws or charHgteristcs or uAaees
Of trAde-in any or all these circumstances
the argument for complete freedom OF in
terchange would fail. But the actual cir
cumstances favor n at every point. The con
diuons existing are in all essential paTiiCu-
lars the reverse OF those which would make
II Is not needfui TO discuss here all the de-
tails which should enter into the agreement
between the two countries. Some Of these
may be difficult OF adjustment. but all will
yield, beyond a doubt, to a sincere etoTt at
Agreement. Nor Is ~ necessary to consider
what advantages Capada would gain which
must influence her in favor Of the measure
IL II a fact that the Laurier Government
will oppose an American commercial union,
for the Premier follows Chamberlain in his
scheme for a British zollverein. | am a.
sured upon high authority that the Canadian
people believe In a continental policy rather
than in an over the-sea policy.
Canadians will not urge commercial union
upon us--we must make the o1er. and ] am
confident we will find them responsive 20
our Offer Never have the circumstances
been more propitious, and never before was
A. 80 desirable for the special as well az for the
general reasons which have been TeCited,
10 effect this great reform In the trade rela-
tons OF the two countries. The nited States
cannot consider. much less accept. any piece