The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1909-02-18
THREE NATIONS INTERESTED.
The North American Conservation Confer
dnce.


WASHINGTON, February Is. Keen in
terest is manifest as to what will be the
program of subjects of the North Ameri-
can Conservation Conference between
representatives of Canada, Mexico and
the United States, in this city, February
18th. In his letter to President Diaz, of
Mexico, and Lord Grey, of Canada, Pres
ident Roosevelt outlined as the purpose
of the Conference the consideration of
mutual interests involved in the conser-
walton Of natural resources and the
preparation of "a general plan adapted
to promote. the welfare of the nations
concerned" There is a pretty we'll de-
fined feeling, however, that definite top
les will have to be discussed. That the
Canadians take this view is indicated by
the fact that they have sent to the Ns-
tional Conservation Commission compila-
lions of specific regulations governing
the disposal of their natural resources.
Last summers forest fires on both
sides of the line between the United
States are so recent in the minds of both
countries that undoubtedly the possibility
Of some cooperative scheme of fire pro-
lection is likely to be touched on. There
are other important international ques-
tons concerning natural resources which
can hardly fail of consideration.
The Canadian and Mexican delegates
to the Conference are coming prepared
to contribute suggestions as well as tore
ceive them. Their representatives at
the international meeting will be promin-
ent specialists on the various phases of
the subject to be discussed. Conserva-
ton has not been limited to the United
States. Early last year, for instance,
every acre of the public timber lands
in British Columbia, except what has
been leased, was placed in forest re-
serves. This action was taken to check
waste by bringing the care and cutting
Of timber resources more effectually
under Government control. The action
affected 15O,OOO,OOO acres - as much
land as was put into all National
Forests of this country up to 1907.
In the Yukon all water power rights
are granted for only twenty years
and at the expiration of that time their
control reverts to the public. The water
power question is now one of the most
important and far reaching before the
United States today. President Diaz of
Mexico has comprehensive knowledge
of forestry and understands fully the
benefits to be gained by its application.
He is also deeply interested in the i'm
provement of agricultural methods and
the farmers of the country are rapidly
adopting scientific methods. Mexico has
few large waterways but the nation has
provided for the expenditure of several
million dollars for the improvement OF
internal navigation.
Recent discussion in the Canadian par
lament of President Roosevelt's propos-
al for cooperation for the conservation
of the natural resources of the whole con.
tinent indicates that the support of the
conservation movement in the Dominion
will be as thoroughly nonpartisan as il
is in the United States. R. L. Borden,
leader Of the opposition, was as enthusi-
astic in the support as Sir Wilfrid Laur.
Ter, the Premier, who expressed his deep.
est approval of the movement.