Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-01-20
SAYS HE LIKES CANADIANS
Not Twisting the Lions Tail
These Days.
HE SIDE-STEPS TARIFF TALK
And Ducked Joint High Commission
ership oposition-American
Party Entertained.
Special Dispatcb 10 The Star

Party Entertained.
Special Dispatch TO The Star.
- OTTAWA, Ont, January III have
been in Canada a great many times. and 1
like Canada and Canadians. 1 think In say
ing that l am representing the people OF
my own country" This was what Mr.. Ellhu
Root. American Secretary of State. had to
say at Government House this afternoon 70
thirteen newspaper men. representing pa
was his answer to a suggestion that IL he
had any message for Canadians. any init
nation of the feeling of Americans toward
this country, the press Representatives
would be glad to give It the widest publici-
ty. Although he talked on other moment
GUS matters OF international Importance. all
his other remarks were carefully guarded
United States Consul Foster and Col. Han
bury Williams. private secretary to Earl
Grey. were present during the interview
Canadians are curious as to your visit
here. Mr.. Root" said one Of the newspaper
men. 1T has been said it Is a social one.
but this does not take it out of the cate
CORY of news. Can you say why you are
here?"
Il am here" the secretary replied. be
cause Lord Grey. when in Washington
some time ago. invited me- Mrs. Root and
my daughter to pay him visit. The visit
Is social one. and has nothing OF a
political diplomatic significance unless
II be this. that all affairs of the nation 60
better when parties know each other The
great cause of controversy between nations
is often Observation-Disclosures
Feel Kindly Toward Canada.
Then Mr.. Root went on to explain that
unless such an object as this might be
looked on as having political significance
his visit had none. Asked as TO the present
feeling of Americans toward Canadians he
said: Il should be inclined to say that, 50
far as can cay. there has been a kindly
feeling to Canada
Then. when he was asked as to the pres
ent attitude toward Great Britain and
whether the old-time feeling of hostility
had at all died out. he said there was not
now the old disposition to create capital
out Of hostility to Britain. Il do not think
political capital can be made now by twist
ing the lions tail. was the way the dis
tinguished American put It,
In reference to the American tariff. Mr.
Root, II is understood the states have con
sicered q maximum and a minimum tariff
In so far as applying that to Canada goes,
Is that as far or how far would you be pre-
pared to go?
We'll. in some ways" Mr. Root replied.
our laws are defective and some of them
might have to be altered before we could
apply favorable tariff to countries treat
Have you looked into the recent Ca
madam tariff changes?"
No"
We'll. we put it up to you if the states
adopted minimum tariff policy would il
give IL TO that country that treated il
equally fairly in trade matters?"
Secretary Was Guarded.
Mr.. Root-"There are many kinds OF
tariff, and the United States would prob
ably give to "a country favoring it its best
treatment"
Would you care to say anything about
TIE question of conserving power, ETC., at
Niagara Falls?"
Mr.. Root-"No. 1 think l had better let
Congress attend to that"
What have you to say on what Congress
has done?"
Mr.. Root-'It passed law at the last ses-
sion limiting the amount of power that can
be used or imported into the United States
Is 1t not largely a question to how much
power shall be used?'
Now, about the modus vivend Do you
consider that an advantage TO your (Ameri-
cam fishermen"
MIR. Root really don't know. but 1t is
unfortunate there has been any trouble"
At this stage Mr.. Root was reminded the
Canadians modus vivendi of 1888 was
meant and was told that some Canadians
In public life advocated abrogatlng this Jaw,
as 1t was claimed it was useless. Mr. Root
n knd a ha Mold q H.
benefit to the Gloucester, Mass fishermen
Mr.. Root do not know"
Il don't want to tread on delicate ground
Mr.. Root, but Is there a desire on the part
of the United States to retake UP fhe joint
high commissionership?"
Mr.. Root-'That is a question | should
discuss with British Ambassador Bryce"
Root Clever Dodger.
The American Secretary shrewdly lodged
this question. but 1t was suggested that
Washington reports. apparently on the best
possible foundation. so PERSISTENT linked
his name with this rumor that there might
quite possibly be at least kernel OF truth
in it. His only answer was snrewd smile
and the words. that is an announcement
that VI 7uld probably be made to Canada by
the British government"
But the Washington dispatches claim to
be inspired"
Mr.. Root-"There are no fnspl, ed dis.
patches. There Is no government organ
We have some very clever newspaper men
In Washington. Sometimes they get things
right. as with smile) l have no doubt
they do In Canada"
viii MT. Bryan be the democratic nomi-
nee of the next presidency racer"
Mr. Root do not know"
Mr.. Root refused to discuss whether gov
eminent or state owned railways would be
a plank in the next presidential campaign
or whether the interstate commerce COM
mission has power to control the railways
Today the American visitors were pre-
sented to many prominent Ottawans, though
the skating party announced was Cancelled
on account of unfavorable weather. To-
night they dined with Earl and Countess
Grey. the Ladies Sybil and Evelyn Grey and
several members Of the vice regal party.
Sir Wilfrid Laurter and one or two others
were present. but the gathering was a
strictly private one.
No Political Significance.
Special Dispatch to The Star
MONTREAL. Canada. January 19.-In an
just previous to leaving Mon
treal for Ottawa Secretary Root said: MY
visit to the Canadian capffaI hos M no