Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1911-03-25
HISTORY OF NEGOTIATIONS.
Fruitisss Efforts Under
Way Twelve Yoaee.

l now turn my attention to the Inn
mediate proposition, and venture first.
an outline OF its history. 1t Is well
known that for several years a hope
has been cherished among many lead
ers In public affairs. both in the Unit
ed States and Canada. that the two
countries would draw closer together
In their trade relations and much me-
gotiation has at various times taken
place upon this subject between the
representatives of the two govern
ments. These efforts, altho substantial
~ continuous for twelve years or more.
seemed fruitless but they were never
wholly abandoned. When President
Taft was attempting to apply the max
fmum and minimum provisions to the
tariff act Of 1903 to Canada. he found
what for time appeared to be in
superable obstacles in the way of Civ
ing to Canada the benefit Of our gen.
eral tariff. on account Of the obvious
determinations that Canada was prac-
ticing against u.s.
Law Point Strained.
He was 30 unwilling-and very
properly unwilling-to apply the PEN
alties OF our maximum tariff to Cana
dian imports that he strained the law
beyond its fair construction In order to
avoid most disastrous result. and he
did presently issue his proclamati ton
which allowed Canadian imports to en-
ter our markets under the terms Of our
general tariff
Out Of this diplomatic intercourse, as
I understand It, there was re-aw,akened
very laudable purpose to readjust
our relations with the dominion on
some better basis. basis that would
take into account the obvious fact that
the conditions Of production in Canada
were 30 nearly like the conditions Of
production in the United States that
common Justice to both countries re-
quired tarin with Canada that should
not apply to the rest OF the world. In
this spirit. and by the direction OF the
president. the department. Of state sent
representatives to Ottawa to take up
the difficult task ana for time the
negotiations were carried on in that
capital.
Tentative ASroemsnt Reached.
Early in the present year the work
was removed to Washington. and two
cabinet ministers Of the. Dominion, Mr..
Fielding ana Mr.. Patterson. came to
Washington to continue the effort In
ttiated at Ottawa These negotiations
terminated on the 7lst day Of January.
1911. In an agreement, In 20 far az the
cabinet ministers Of Canada and the
secretary OF state Of the United States
could make an agreement. The sub
stance Of the agreement was that the
cabinet ministers Of Canada would
urge upon the Canadian parliament the
adoption OF . certain specified free list
common to the two countries: certain
duties common to the two countries
upon other commodities: and certain
duties not common TO the two coun-
tries upon other articles when imported
from the United States into Canada.
Likewise. the state department of the
United States agreed that it would
urge upon congress the adoption OF the
common free list; q common dutiable
list, and certain duties not common to
the two countries upon other articles
when imported from Canada into the
United States.
It was further understood that the
contemplated legislation should not
take effect until 1t has been, or would
be. adopted by both countries.