The San Juan islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1910-04-08
CLOSER TRADE
RELATIONS
PRESIDENT TAFT INVITES CAN
ADA TO TALK MATTERS
OVER.
Complete Tariff Agreement Between
the Two Countries-Conferen Will
Aim at General Readjustment Of
Duties.

Washington, April L. Following the
proclamation of a complete tariff
agreement with Canada, it is announc-
ed that President Taft has invited
Canadian officials to conference
looking to closer trade relations be-
tween the two countries and to a gen.
eral readjustment of duties.
The presidents invitation to Can
ada is included in an exchange of
notes between Secretary of State
Knox and the Dominion government.
The note expresses satisfaction at the
happy termination of the tariff nego-
tiations, and advances the hope that
the way has been opened for an early
settlement of all difference between
the two governments, including the
troublesome question of the water
boundary line.
President Brought Peace.
The unofficial story of the negotia-
lions with Canada looking to the set
Element announced Wednesday, by
which Canada is declared entitled to
the minimum rates of the Payne-Ald-
rich law, is perhaps more interesting
than the specific announcement as to
just what articles are included in the
concessions granted on either side.
President Taft from the first did not
hesitate to let it be known that he
would go long way to avoid tariff
war with Canada. Such war, he be-
lieved, would fall heavily upon Amer
lean interests and manufacturers. It
was the president who took the in
itiative in inviting Finance Minister
Fielding to Albany to discuss the diff
ferences between the two countries.
The exchange of views at Albany was
such as to indicate that peace was
assured.
Canada Not Discriminatory.
The charge that Canada was unduly
discriminatory against the United
States originally grew out of the Can
adam treaty with France, whereby the
latter country was given a reduction
of from 21a to 5 per cent. President
Taft did not take the view that this
was discriminatory, inasmuch as
France in return offered to Canada a
similar reduction of rates.
The United States, never having Of
fered concessions to Canada, Mr.. Taft.
held, could not expect such preferen-
tial treatment on the other side. There
stood in the way, however, the fact
that the reductions granted by Can
ada to France were automatically ap-
piled to thirteen other countries in
cluded in Great Britain's favored ma
ton" policy. This, the president held,
did amount to discrimination against
the United States.
Basis Of Settlement.
President Taft made the point that
Canada would be absolved from Gun
due dis elimination" against the United
States, if this country were given a
2h per cent reduction on the articles
with which American firms compete
with the favored nations" in the Ca.
madam market. The Dominion govern
ment finally agreed to this, and on
these terms the settlement was reach
ed.
Thus, while the reductions actually
apply only to something like 3 per
cent of American exports to Canada,
the large part of the exports are in
noncompetitive classes where Amer
lea would have the market anyway.
Canada conceded thirteen numbers
to the United States, the thirteenth
being a basket" or omnibus clause
which includes host of articles,
among which cottonseed oil is one of
the heaviest exports.
I AS to wood pulp and print paper,
some criticism has been leveled at the
president. It was officially stated at
the White House that these items did
not and could not enter into the ne
gotiations. The rates and terms of
duty on wood and wood pulp are
fixed in the tariff law and cannot be
made the subject of negotiations on
the part of the president.
Increase Trade With Australia.
The President signed proclamations
granting the minimum rate to Aus
tralia, New Zealand, British South At
RIGA, Newfoundland and Venezuela. OF
these, the most important commercial
ly is Australia.
To Control Corporation Publicity.
Washington, April 2.-That the cor
poration tax law will be amended to
restrict the OnerationS Of its publicity