Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1910-03-31
HONORABLE COMPROMISE
Says Finance Minister Fielding of Tar.
if Controversy Settlement.

Ut controversy Setttement.
Ottawa, Ont, March 30.-The Domin-
ion Parliament and the people of Can
ada received their first official an
nouncement of the tariff controversy
with the United States and the grant
ing by the latter of the minimum tariff
rates in statement made in the House
today by Finance Minister Fielding. 1t
was evident from the trend of Mr..
Fielding's remarks that the process of
readjusting tariff relations between the
two countries will not end with the
agreement just reached.
Mr.. Fielding arrived here from Wash
ingtOn ar l O'Clock and at once con-
ferred with Premier Laurier and other
members Of the cabinet after which he
proceeded to the House. He reviewed
in great detail the negotiations be-
tween the two government. The first
efforts for readjustment of tariff re-
lations came from Washington, he said.
When a deadlock seemed inevitable
the government took a firm stand and
would not have shrunk from a tariff
war, although it preferred to avoid hos
tlities of that sort.
No pledge was given by Canada that
the export of pulpwood would not be
prohibited, Mr.. Fielding declared. In
the negotiations Canada never admit
ted that the Franco Canadian treaty
amounted to a discrimination against
the United States and by his proclama
issued at Washington today, President
Taft tacitly admitted this to be a fact.
HAS President Taft undertaken to
;,, Cf,,,
for CANADA" Mr.. Fielding was asked.
"Practically, yes" he replied
Mr.. Fielding said further that it had
been claimed in some quarters that Pres
ident Taft had been bluffing and that he
would not have dared to impose the max
imum tariff rates against Canada even
if the Dominion had failed to make any
concessions whatever. This was a mis-
taken idea, Mr.. Fielding said. With ali
of his friendly regard for Canada, Mr.
Taft might have been forced into impos-
ing the maximum against Canada.
IF we stood pat it is possible we might
have in SOME way obtained the minimum
American tariff" said Mr. Fielding. THAT
perhaps would have been a great triumph
for Canada. To hurl defiance at the
United States when all the nations Of
Europe are accepting their terms might
have been heroic. but the victories are
too dearly bought. If, therefore, We
could avoid a tariff war by granting some
and. from our point of view, not very
important concessions in which it was
far better in the interest of Canada, for
the present and the future. that we should
make the copcessions rather than to tri-
umph over the United States on terms
which would: have left soreness and ILL
feeling and created friction in future ne
gotiations.
Fully believing in the professions of
President Taft that he desired to estab-
lish the best of relations with Canada.
we sought an honorable compromise. En-
tremists on both sides will claim that
Canada and that the United States has
the best of the bargain. Both will be
wrong. 1t was good thing to avoid the
maximum, it was a good thing to give
concessions to the United States and to
avoid quarrel with that country
Sir Wilfrid Laurier said: Il have
reasons tic believe that there. are a
large number OF people in the United
States Who would be sorry. to see
tdTl1I WAL Will Cdfidud. Ill itiSl, ~
strong is that feeling, that for the first
time in history an American ambassa-
dor has come to Canada to negotiate
for commercial peace. | also recognize
the fact that. there is in 1.-The United
States high protective group which
is willing and anxious to push the peo-
pie into tariff war with Canada. The
Canadian. government could not feel
that i. should give it's aid to- the en-
deavors of this group by making i'm
possible conditions for the President.
We shall ever do all we can While pre-
serving the vested interest. of this
country to avoid tariff difficulties. The
concessions which we have made to
achieve this desirable end are small.
For these concessions. we get peace
and good commercial relations with
our great neighbor. That peace and
good will is beyond price.
Canada is country of 100000 and
the United States has almost 90,000,O00. If
we had chosen to be stiff with them to
an unyelding point they would have been
stiff with us Now we are within meas
ureable distance of reciprocity with our
neighbors, and that is a more desirable
situation. Canada is free to negotiate for
better commercial relations with any ma
ton with whom she pleases and we In
tend to begin those negotiations with the
United States as the first country on the
list. There are articles upon which both
the United States and Canada can give
further concession with mutual advan-
tages, we believe, and intend to see what
can be DONE
HoBsoN BILL DEFEATED.