Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1910-03-31


proclamation Of a complete tariff
ANNOUNCED that President Taft has in
vited Dominion government officials to
"a conference looking to closer trade
relations between the two countries
and to a general adjustment of
duties
The Presidents invitation 10 Canada
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 negotiations
ana advances the hope that the way
had been opened for Il nearly settle
ment of all the difference between the
two governments, including tn"
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 a conference look
ing to the betterment of trade rela-
tiOnS between the two countries. In
discussing the matter today President
Taft would not go so far as say that
the proposed conference is the fore
runner of reciprocity. What he hopes
is that the conference may result in a
complete re-adiustment of the tariff
rates between the two countries, with
out either abandoning its national
economic policy.
The unofficial story of the negotia
tons with Canada looking to the set
tlement announced today. by which
Canada is declared entitled to the mini
mum rates of the Payne .Aldrich 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 d tariff
war with Canada Such a war. he be-
lieved, would fall heavily upon Amer-
can interests and manufacturers.
1t was the president who took the
initiative 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 as
| Sured.
The charge that Canada was undulg
discriminatory against the United
States originally grew out of the Cana
dian treaty with France, whereby the
latter country was given Il reduction
OF from , l-2 to ; 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 offered crnceS-
sions to Canada, Mr.. Taft held, could
not expect such preferential treatment
on the other side.
There stood in the way, however. the
fact that the reductions granted hy
Canada to France We're automatically
applied to thirteen other countries in
cluded in Great Britains Favored ma
ton policy. This. the President held,
did amount to discrimination against
the United states. 1t was to offset
this that the negotiations were begun
ard the President expressed himself
TODAY as entirely satisfied with Tho
outcome. The more important nations
henefttinh bv Canada's preferential
treatment under the Favored nati'm
clause. are Spain. Switzerland. Aus
tria and Japan. President Tart pro
uosed that Canada be absolved from
undue" discrimination against tn"
United states, provided this country
was given q , II per cent reduction
on the articles With Which American
firms compete with the favored ma
t,uns'' in the canadian market. The
Dominion government finally agreed /"
this and il was on these terms that IN"
settlement was reached. ThuS. While
the reductions actually apply To only
about 3 per cent. of American "Np"i =
10 canada. the large part of tile "N-
ports are in non-competltlNe ci''S9'H
whore America would have the market
lanyhow.
As to Spain the United states meets
in the Canadian market with strong
competition in raisins. pruheS an" an
dried fruits. With SWltAerahu ne
United states meets competition IN the
canadian market in watch movements
With France. Austria and Japan 'ne
United states meets heaNE c""iPVN-
ton in China ware. ON All THESE ("
tjcles of merchandise Canada mas
granted reductions.
Canada conceded l. numbers TO inc
United states. the 18th being a pas
ket" or omnibus class which lncluoes "
host of articles. among which cotton
seed oil is one of the heaviest exports
As to wood pulp and print paper
sop,a criticism has been leveled at the
rros;dent II was officially stated M
tho White House today that thoSe
i,a,,,s did not and could not enter iht"
the negotiations. The rates ana terms
of 6utv on wood and WOOD pup 81 =
fxed in the tariff law ana cannon "'
mace the subject of negotiations
aisor,tionarv action by the President