Omaha daily bee., 1910-03-31
Conference Requested Of Officials Of
the Two Countries.
BIG Bill, THE PRINCE OF PEACl
Chief Executive Takes Initial Step to
Avoid Tariff War.
WORLD NOW HAS THE LOW RATES
Proclamation Completes Extension OF
HIinimum Duties 20 About 13O Ma
tions--ReductiOns Affect
Per Cent of Exports.

WASHINGTON. March 9o-Folowing the
proclamation OF complete tariff agree
ment with Canada today, Il was announced
Athat President Taft has invited dominion
Government officials TO a conference look
ing to closer trade relations between the
two countries and to a general readiust-
ment Of duties.
The presidents invitation to Canada IS
Included IN an exchange Of notes between
Eccretary OF State Knox and the dominion
government. The note expresses satsfao-
ton at the happy termination Of the tariff
negotiation and advances the hope that the
way had been opened for an early settle
ment of all differences between the two
governments, including the troublesome
question Of the water boundary line. The
note then expresses the belief from the
American point OF view that the time Is
ripe for conference looking to the bet
terment Of trade relations between the two
countries.
The unofficial story Of the negotiations
with Canada, looking TO the settlement an
nounced today. by which Canada is de
clared entitled TO the minimum rates OF
the Payne Aidrich law Is perhaps more
interesting than the specific announcement
as to Just what articles are included in th'
concessions granted on either side.
Taft stands for Peace.
President Taft from the first did moi
hesitate to let II be known that he would
20 a long way to avoid a tariff war will
Canada Such war ne believed, woulC
fall heavily upon American interests ant
manufacturers. II was the president wh'
took the initiative in inviting Finance Min
lister Fielding to Albany to discuss the diff
ferences between the two countries. Tn
exchange Of views at Albany was such a
to indicate that peace was assured
The charge that Canada was unduly dis
erimiratory against the United atates or
iginRlly grew out Of the Canadian treat,
with France. whereby the latter countr,
was given reduction OF from 2h to pei
cent President TAFT did not take the view
that this was discriminatory. iuasmuch a.
France in return offered to Canada a sim
ilar reduction Of rates. The United State
never having offered concessions to Can
ada. Mr.. Taft held. could not expect sucl
preferential treatment on the other side
There stood in the way, however the fac
that the reductions granted by Canada Z
France were automatically applied to thiT
teen other countries, included in Grea
Britain's favored nation" policy. This, tn
presidsn held. did not amount to discrim
Inauon against the United States.
Terms of Settlement.
President Taft made the proposition tina
Canada be absolved from undue discrimi
nation" against the United States II thl
country were given q 2h per cent reduC
ton on the articles which American firm
compete with the favored nations" in tn
Canadian market The Dominion govern
ment finally agreed to this, and on thes
terms the settlement was reached.
Thus, while the reductions actually appl
only to something like 3 per cent Of Amer
ican exports TO Canada, the large part 9
the exports are In noncompetitive classe
where America would have the market any
way.
Canada conceded thirteen numbers to th
Unaed States. the thirteenth being ''bas
kst" or omnibus clause which includes
hd, ,st Of articles. among which cottonseed o
Is bne Of the heavist exports.
As to wood pulp and print paper, SON
criticism has been levelled at the presiden
u was officially stated at the White Hou'
today that htese items did not and cou
not enter into the negotiations. The rat'
and terms OF duty on wood and wood pu
are fixed In the tariff law and cannot
made the subject OF negotiation or discr
tionary action on the part OF the presiden