New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-03-24
CANADIAN RELATIONS.

The visit Of Mr.. Bryce TO Canada, following
closely upon that OF Mr.. Root, is suspicious OF
improved relationships between the Dominion
and this Republic. 1t is not, Of course, to be
sntimated that those relations are now in the
least unfriendly or are in danger OF becoming
so. Negotiations are not to be Of a peacemak-
ang character nor to be specially directed
against potential breaches OF cordially. Never
before probably, IN the history OF the two
countries have relations between them been
more cordial or has the outlook for the future
been more free from cause for disquiet. These
feIlcltous circumstances, however, suggest the
preeminent fitness OF the present time for pre-
cisely such work as that which Mr.. Bryce is
understood 70 be attempting. When nations or
Individuals ore on the best Of terms with each
ether Is The most favorable opportunity for
Hc6ing, II possible, TO that superlative. or for
et1sc1ing those business arrangements which do
act Involve questions OF friendship or peace but
merely those OF expedIency and, convenience.
\ There are varlOas questions Of that kind now
pending between America and Canada. Some
OF them have been pending Cor a long time, and
NUMEROUS commissioners and other negotiatOrs
have rainly essayed 70 dispose OF them. In
some cases the failure has been because OF the
lack OF agreement between Canada ana Great
Britain, America and Canada agreeing, but
Great Britain declining % sanction the arrange
rasnt, OF. perhaps more frequently, America and
Great Britain agreeing. but CANADA dissenting
II IS obvious that such difficulties are more
likely 30 % be avoided now. with the British
Ambassador 20 America taking the initiative in
nes0iatOna. On seine matters Canadian rela-
tons with Great Britain must continue 60 af-
seet radically Canadian relations with Amer
Sea- This g especially tue n questions OF
iari7 ana reciprocity. II would be too much
20 expect Canada 10 abandon her system OF
preferential rates 20 Great Britain: md II
would also be 600 much 20 expect this country
90 establish free trade with Canada nader CON
litions which might make The Dominion an
opsn gateway for British commerce 10 evade
or tsziT. That Is not, however, a considera-
iioz which should make either party mourn as
che without hope, for. IN fact there IS except
locally, OF among theorists ana doctrinaires
li-tla demand Cor general free trade between
the two nations
O-hsr matters should prove more easy Of
ad1uxtment, especially when they involve no
particular principle but merely details Or adj
-lirlstraiion- The last real dispute over boun-
cs-es was settled years ago, on the Alaskan
frontier, and Oh that now remain involve mere
iy the marking OF Zines upon which there Is
entire agreement The question OF transport
lion OF merchandise u bond across alien terri-
tory IS one OF business expectancy and moth
ing more. As for The building ane maintenance
OF few more small naval vessels on the Great
Lakes. there certainly seems 10 10 need OF u,
Cor police purposes, and not &C az with any
thought Of possible hOstillt.es between Che two
nations. Seeing that American commerce on