New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-08-16
Bv s. ROY WEAVER.
Toronto. Am. Is, 1916.

He would be bold man, indeed,
who would venture any definite pre-
diction as to the extent to which the
trade relations Of the United States
and Canada will be affected when
the British Empire cuddles up, COM
mercially after the war. There Is
abundant evidence that an Imperial
trade policy, as part of the recon
struction of the empire, will be de-
manded. not only by the oversee
dominions, but by the mother coun-
try as well. That policy will be 80 ,
devised as to encourage production ,
and exchange within the empire
and will have as its aim the eco
nomic self-sufficiency and indepeni-
ence of Greater Britain. But II one
hesitates to prophesy, one may ut
least state the Canadian view Of
such a policy and the principles
upon which it will be defended.
In a recent address in London,
England, at luncheon given in his
honor by the Royal Canadian In
stitute. Sir George Foster, Canada
Minister of Trade and Commerce,
smoke as follows regarding the atti-
tude to be adopted by the empire
towards neutrals, so far as trade l.
concerned.
Let US remember that they have
NOT shed an ounce of blood in this
Armageddon. We in the dominions
and YOU at home have been
severely chastened and taught
some Of the feelings of Gethsem-
ane. Will any one then deny US
the right to treat the empire and
its partners more fayorably! Ley
us say TO the others, I'VE VIII
not be unreasonable with you; put
we will be Just to our own" when
tho war is over the nations that
had banded themselves In defence
of the ideals for which they were
fighting should have the duty of
reconstructing the basis OF their ,
attitude toward each other. so that
il may be more favorable than
that accorded TO neutrals !
The veteran Canadian statesmen
was only expressing frankly what
had been stated repeatedly by !
others, in less striking terms, lest
it should give offence.
Empire First.
The proposed trade arrangement
between the Entente Allies mas IS
vet little definite form outside of
the recommendation of the Paris
Economic Conference and the
Colonial Secretary's assurance that
the resolutions of the Conference
"may be taken as representing the
settled policy of the British gov
ernment." The purpose of those {
urging a new trade arrangement
between the Allies appears to be ,
the formation of an economic league, ,
consisting of the countries now
fighting against the Central Powers,
for mutual trade protection. In
other words, it is hoped to translate
the military entente into an eco {
nomic entente. At best, an arrange
ment of this kind, which is beset with
so many difficulties and obviously
lacks so many of the elements neces-
sary to permanence, would likely be
of a temporary character only,
covering the period of readjustme1t
and reconstruction. The United
States probably has little cause to
fear that Britain, France, Russia,
Japan and Italy, and their lesser
allies will maintain an economic
league of such a character as serl-
ously to affect the interests Of
American business.
Canadian Ambitions.
1t is true that Canada is expect
ing important trade opportunities
in the markets of the Allies, which
NAV involve mutual tariff conces-
sions. To some extent these may
divert across the Atlantic trade
which otherwise would develop be-
tween Canada and the United
States. Before the war Canada had
an important trade convention WITH
France; war orders have made the
Dominion better and more favoraoly /
known in the French Republic; and
a further development of CONNER
cial relations is looked for. Canada
has been supplying shells to Russia
and trade is expected to follow the
shrapnel and high explosive. A
somewhat similar situation exists
in regard to Italy. The Italian
Purchasing Commission gave orders
in Canada for 100000 undershIrts,
and later for 100000 blankets. N
addition, the Dominion government
Communicated for Italy no less
than IL 900 900 bushels of Canadian
wheat. This war business has been
an advertisement for Canada OF
very great value, and cannot fail t.
oman tho ,pav for closer commercial