Evening star., 1917-04-01
Newfoundland Represented the Imperial Conference


men, regardless of their religious be-
liefs.
Canadian statesmen. after the con-
federation was formed in 1867. which
united all the provinces Of the Dominion
in single commonwealth, We're
anxious that Newfoundland also should
come in. Nova Scotia. its nearest
neighhor, had ball<ed at the confedera-
ton. and with difficulty had been In
duced to Join. 1t was thought that
with this example Newfoundland might
be persuaded, bat the island doggedly
insisted on maintaining it's separate
identity. 1t rejected all overtures from
Canada and all hints from London.
Consequently, it has preserved its COM
plete autonomy, has administered It's
own government and made its own
tariffs regardless of Canada's wishes.
Geographically Newfoundland is as
closely related to New England as to
Canada. allowing for the barrier which
Nova Scotia forms. Its trade relations
with the United States are fully as
close as with Canada.
A reciprocity treaty with this coun-
try for many years was the dream of
the Newfoundland statesmen. Much
the same objection to such an arrange
ment was manifested in the United
States as was shown toward reciprocity
with Canada. although there was no
possibility of competition in natural
products. The fisheries. however, were
the acute question.
period. was the premier and political
boss of Newfoundland, ultimately sue
ceeded in negotiating reciprocal trade
treaty with the United States. This
Secretary of state. Because of her
own fisheries. Canada entered formal
protest to London and the British nm
perial government declined to ratlfy
the treaty. This course caused mucn
resentment in Newfoundland against
Canada.
A dozen years later, Premier Bond
again came to Washington and nego-
tiated with Secretary Hay another
treaty on the lines of the previous one.
This time, however, the obstacle came
from the United States; the New Eng
land senators insisted on amending 1t
so that it was not satisfactory to New
foundland.
Had Canada ratified the reciprocity
agreement negotiated by Pres1den'
Taft and passed by Congress 1t would
have been necessary for Newfoundland
also to negotiate n reciprocity treaty
with the United States. The failure
of the Dominion. however, to do this
left Newfoundland free The arbitra'
tion of the fisheries controversy re-
moved cause of friction and enabled
trade relations to run in smooth chan
nels This has been the situation fo1
several years past. Newfoundland is
a good but limited market for certain
American products. The United states
is also q good market for her prlnclpa
products, and she finds the Porto RlcaT
market advantageous for her goldfish.
The present premier of Newfoundland
who sits at the imperial council table
In London, is Sir Edward Morris. who
has been "a frequent visitor in WASH
ington For long while he was the
. leader of the opposition, and, since the
opposition represented the popular ele-
ment, its strength grew until 1t was
able to turn Sir Robert Bond out OF
office. Sir Robert represented the
highbrows or the aristocratic element
Premier Morris Is an entirely differ
ent type of a political leader. Had he
been naturaliZed or born in the United
states and lived in New York he would
have become a Tammany leader. He
is breezy and blunt. but he has the
interests of Newfoundland at heart
and his policies have been for the
material upbuilding of the country. He
has sought to develop all it's resources
and has given encouragement to for.
eign capital. Personally he is very
popular with foreigners, and he also i:
, liked in london.
} The relations of the United States
with Newfoundland as Canadian
eminent, would not be changed. Trade
would continue about as before and the
American consul at st. Johns would
not have his status changed. He would
. simply be the American consul -at-tht
Canadian port Of st. johns.