New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1920-04-27
Canada Asks
Diplomatic
Link to u. S
Overtures for Direct Rela.
tions Made With the Ap-
proval of Britain; Idea
May Solve Pulp Crisis

From The Tribune's Washington Bureau
WASHINGTON, April 26-With the
approval of the British government,
Canada has made definite overtures to
the United States for the establish
ment of direct diplomatic relations be-
tween this country and the Dominion.
Announcement to this effect was
made at the State Department this at
ternoon, after conference between
Secretary of State Colby and repre-
sentatives of various American print
paper manufacturers and publishers
concerning the increasingly critical
situation in which these interests are
finding themselves as a result of the
Canadian embargo on the export of
pulp wood.
man Stephen G. Porter of the House
Foreign Affairs Committee also was
present, the suggestion was made to
Mr.. Colby that unless Canada should
consent through friendly negotiations
to modify this embargo the United
States must resort to retaliatory meas
ureS.
Geddes to Arrange Details
Mr. Colby promised to give immedi-
ate and earnest attention to the mat
ter and disclosed the prospect that the
United States may soon have oppor-
tunity to conduct direct diplomatic ne
gotiations with the Dominion govern
ment 1t is understood in British cir
cles here that Sir Auckland Geddes, the
new British Ambassador, will soon go
to Ottawa, and there arrange details of
the new relationship, including the Sc
lection Of the Canadian representative
to be sent to Washington.
Both the British and Canadian gov
ernments already have received the as
surance that the arrangement would be
agreeable to the United States and that
the Administration at Washington
would undertake to have Congress pass
the necessary Legislation authorizing
the appointment of a man to represent
this country at Ottawa.
Although this feature remains to be
decided, it is understood the represen-
tative of each country would have the
rank Of either a diplomatic commits
sioner or minister and that the
American government probably would
elevate John G.. Foster, the present
American Consul General at Ottawa
to the post.
Paper Situation Serious
The relations between the United
States and the Dominion. always
friendly in the past, have been ad-
mittedly complicated by the news print
situation. The Senate has already
passed the Underwood resolution. call
ing for the creation of an international
Joint commission to deal with Canada
on the subject, but the resolution is
held up in the House. Rather than
wait for its passage, several of the
publishers represented at the State De-
partment conference suggested that the
State Department undertake independ-
ent negotiations.
The proposition for direct relations
between the two countries grows out of
the standing acquired by Canada and
the other self governing British colo
MES as separate voting entities in the
league of nations, and it is understood
that subsequently Australia and New
Zealand will have their own diplomatic
representatives. at Washington also. As
approved by the British government, it
is understood that such representatives
would concern themselves only with
diplomatic matters Of mutual concern
to the colonies they represent and to
the countries to which they are accred-
tied, leaving matters of larger conse-
quence to the British Empire, to be
handled through the usual channels.
w. f. Haskell, vice-president Of the
international Paper Company, who was
present at the State Department con-
ference this. afternoon, appeared with
other paper ernmanufacturers and pub
fishers this morning before the House
Foreign Affairs Committee in support
of the Underwood resolution. Senator
(Continuoo on page sIx)