The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-11-13
NEWSPAPERS MAKE
 APPEAL ID TAFT Ask Observance of Pulp and
 Paper Law INVOLVES 28 TREATIES John Norris of American Newspaper Publishers Association Requests Good Faith as to Favored
 Nation Clause
INVOLVES 28 TREATIES

New York, November 12.-The Amer ican Newspaper Publishers association through John Norris, chairman of It's committee on paper, it was announced here today has sent letter to Pres ident Taft urging that the government show good faith in the observance of the favored nation clause of 2S trea- ties with respect to the free importa- ton of pulp and paper when made from unrestricted wood.
 The letter relates substantially the following: "A question of enforcing the favored nation clause has arisen because ot l the passage of section ? of the act ol July 26. 1911. which granted a spe- cial privilege to Canada in the matter of free pulp and paper and which did not depend upon Canadian concurrence becoming effective immediately upon the passage of the law
 "It was separate and independent provision. Canadas repudiation of reel procity and the continued importation of Canadian pulp and paper free of duty after September 21, 1911, the date of the Canadian election, puts the United States in a position where it was granting a special privilege to Canada itself and 1t became obligated pby It's 2S treaties to give equal treaty immediately to the other nations.
 "The question was thrust upon the treasury department from four sources, viz: First, by importers through the American Wood Pulp Importers asso- citation and others who objected to pay ment of duty under such conditions; |; second, by requests of customs col lectors for instructions; third, by in quiries from representatives of the fa- vored nations which claimed equiva- lent treatment; fourth, by paper users through the American Newspaper Pub fishers association"
 MT. Norris says there are indications that American papermakers are seek ing to delay the execution of the law by urging reference of the matter to the courts for determination. He points out a precedent for executive action in 1899 when the administration. through instructions, issued by. the Secretary of the treasury to collectors, granted to Switzerland under its favored nation clause the same rates on wines and spirits that France enjoyed under its reciprocity treaty of 1898.
 Text of the Clause
 The text of the favored nation clause reads:
 'If either party shall hereafter grant to any other nation any particular favor in navigation or commerce. 1t shall immc- diately become common to the other par ty freely where it is freely granted to such nation or on yielding the same com pensation when the grant Is conditional" :"
 MT. Norris urges the word immediate lyf as used in the sense means what it implies and not after interminable delays in the courts or after Congress shall have substantially pneee7 non the proposition
 The letter continues: - of asking other nations to enter upon new treaty negotiations with the United States if the government fails to respect tie integrity of 2S treaties it has made in toto. Every head of the state depart nient who has formally analysed this gratuitous favors are completely covered in the favored nation clauses to our treaties.
 Entitled to Advantages
 "All of the favored nations are en- titled to the advantages conceded to the Canadian product when they con-
 
 enactment of July 26, 1911, and give to the United States as much or as lit- tie equivalent as Canada likewise A~Ns They were interminable terms. What excuse can be offered for Wit ho.4 ; from other nations voluntary special privilege which was granted Canada as an 1nducement to some of it's pro- vinces to treat the United States as well as do the favored nations. The precedent applying to free Canadian pulp and paper is respected by all the favored nations.
 'They can fairly ask why Canada should be put upon a footing more fla vored than any other nation. Some of them buy more from us than Canada does. Some of them sell more to us than Canada does. Whence, then. the delay in treating them according to laW?"
 It is probable the matter will be considered when the President, the Secretary of State and the Secretary ot the Treasury confer in the near fu- ture,