Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-04-28
Favored Nation Clause.

'In another aspect. however, it's effect
might be serious. If we make concessions
without quid pro quo we are in danger
favor Of all other foreign countries with
whom we have treaties containing what
is called the favored clause
There are thus two objections to in
serting in the bill confirming this Cana
dian addition to our free list from Can
ada The first Is that the concession Is
of no value to those whom 1t Is proposed
involve us in a doubtful obligation in re-
spect to trade with other countries. If We
desire to put meat and -four and other
commodities on the free list for the en-
tire world. that is one thing: we can do it
with our eyes open and with a knowledge
Of what it entails, but to put such a pro-
vision in a Canadian treaty and then
have it operate as free list for the en-
tire world Is legislation necessarily i'll.
considered.
Protective Principle Maintained.
more than this, these proposed gratu-
| itous concessions are in the nature of
an admission that in some way or other
we have done an injury to particular
| class by this reciprocity agreement 1
deny it. 1t is strictly in accordance with
the protective principle that We should
only have a protective tariff between us
and countries in which the conditions are
SO dissimilar as to make difference in
the cost Of production.
1T is known of all men that condi-
tons in the two countries are alike in
the matter Of agricultural products If
there is any advantage 1t is with us, In
view of our varieties of climate. Canada
cannot raise cotton or corn, except in
Ontario.
at is said that this agreement af-
fects agricultural products more than
ucts between the two countries in sub
stantial amount must be in agricultural
products. The effect will not be to
lower prices, but to steady them, to in
crease trade at profit to both eoun-
tries.
IF particular class Is to derive less
benefit from 1t than others it will be the
manufacturer. The treaty will not en-
large his market as much as it will that
of the farmer.
May Be Repealed.
There is no obligation on either nation
to continue the treaty any longer than
it desires. If it be found by actual prac-
tice that there is an injury-a perma-
nent injury-to the farmers of the coun-
try, everybody knows that they can suf-
HCleHllS lcSISiotiOA W III
a change and a return to old conditions.
Those of use who are responsible for the
treaty want the test. We have no doubt
that Its operation will lay forever the
ghosts that have been exhibited to fright
en- the farmers.
Conservation of Timber.
"A conclusive reason for closing the
contract is the opportunity it gives us
to increase the supply Of our natural
resources. which, with the wastefulness
of children, we have wantonly exhausted.
The timber resources of Canada which
will open themselves to US inevitably are
apparently inexhaustible. We have
learned much on this subject in two de-
cades. and we may be safe in saying that
under proper modern methods the timber
resources open to us in Canada may be
made really inexhaustible, and we may
derive ample supplies of timber from
these sources. to the profit of Canada
and for our own benefit. There are
enumerate which will become available
to us as IL our own il we adopt and
maintain commercial union with Canada.
There are no restrictions OF the moth
er country upon the trade or economic
DEVELOPMENT of Canada. Dominion terri
tory now shelters between 100000 and
100000 people-hearty, temperate. per-
sistent, brave. intelligent and enterpris-
ing They are good neighbors and they
have before them a wonderful expansion
I'm population, in agriculture and In
business, offering to any nation with
| which they have sympathetic relations