New-York tribune., 1906-04-01
NEW-yORK DAILY TRIBUNE SUNDAY. APRIL 1. 1906
DISPUTES WITH CANADA
Plan TO TAKE THEM UP.
Mr. Root Drops Tariff, and WM
Try to Settle Other Questions.

Washington. March 3l-Convinced that reel
procity treaties with Great Britain for the es-
tablishment OF closer relations between the
United States and Canada out of the ques-
ton at this tim, Secretary Root has deter
mined TO abandon the tariff question for the
present, and is busying himself with other mat
ters of vital interest to this country and Can
ada in the hope OF settling points Of difference
which bade fair to be adjusted by the Joint High
Commission when the Klondike gold strike
caused the negotiations to be broken off sud
denly and engendered a feeling of hos iity
which did not subside until mixed tribunal
fixed the boundary between the British and
American mineral lands.
A canvass of the Senate persuaded Secretary
Root that reciprocity would not be considered
at this session of Congress Although there was
much clamor for tariff revision and modification
early in the session. it failed to gain many sup
porters. and the recent announcement Of Chair
man Payne of the House Committee Ways
and Means that tariff legislation would be
passed by this Congress confirmed the repor
that Republican leaders had agreed to accept
the counsel of the ''stand-patters.''
AS the State Department is under obligations
TO obtain concessions for Germany in return for
the favor shown the United States by permitting
this country TO remain among the favored ma
tions in spite of the discriminatory tariffs re-
Gently put into force by the German govern
ment. Secretary Root feels that it would not be
wise to undertake other tariff propositions at
time when Legislators seem SO little inclined 70
tariff changes.
Moreover. the demand for reciprocity between !
the United States and Canada does not exist to
the degree that it did when the Joint High CON- |
mission began the consideration of the subject, |
I'm 1898. Canadians have cooled in their ardor, |
and do not show any great desire to have |
American manufactured articles admitted at a
low rate in exchange for Canadian mate
rails
A score of mooted questions were under con-
sideration when the Alaskan boundary dispute
ended the negotiations and focused attention :
on the Alaskan gold fields. Secretary Root feels !
that the time has come for taking up the broken
strands where the Joint High Commission left
them.
PRESERVATION OF NIAGARA
The preservation of Niagara Falls is perhaps |
the most interesting Of the new international |
problems which has developed since 1898 |
Canada has shown a disposition to cooperate |
with this country in preventing the diversion !
of the water from the falls. and the report Of
the International Waterways Commission will
doubtless form the basis for a treaty to protect
the falls. President Roosevelt has supplemented
the efforts of the State Department in this mat
ter and its carly considera ton is expected.
Although the Joint High Commission was
never formally dissolved, it has been moribund
for so many years that neither Great Britain |
the United States regards 1t as still in ex- |
istence and il is not likely that any effort will |
be made to revive this commission or to bring |
a similar into existence for the considera- |
tion of Canadian and American affairs. Nego- |
tiatons will be conducted by Secretary Root and |
Sir Henry Mortimer Durand. the British Ambas- |
sadGr. with the cooperation Of some representa-
tive Of the Canadian government. The issues |
have become SO well defined and the relations |
between Great Britain and the United States so |
harmonious at this time that little difficulty is
expected in framing treaties that will be salts |
factory to both powers.
In spite of the friendly relations existing be- |
tween the United States and Great Britain in !
terTa tonal disputes like the recent trouble be
tween American and Canadian corporations as |
to the control of the ST. Johns River between |
New Brunswick and Maine and determinations !
against American fishermen along the east coast |
of Canada, remind statesmen that treaties are |
necessary for a more satisfactory definition Of
water rights and for the regulation of fisheries |