Northern Wisconsin advertiser. [volume] (Wabeno, Wis.) 1898-1925, 1922-07-21
BRITAIN FOR NEW
CANADA j. 8. PACT
Proposal to ModerniZe Treaty
Offered Hughes.
PREMIER KING IN CAPITAL
Controversies Between American and
Dominion Governments Over
Fisheries, ETC.. Also
Discussed.
PREMIER KING IN CAPITAL

Washington, July IA proposal
to mOdernize and make permanent the
century old Rush-Bagot agreement of
Great Britain and the United States
on the Great Lakes and other boun-
Diary waters was made to Secretary
Hughes ~ Premier Mackenzie King
of Canada.
Mr.. King, accompanied by the
Canadian minister of national de-
tense, George P. Graham, called on
the secretary of state and discussed
mot only this proposal, which was hos
,pitably received, but controversies
between the American and Canadian
governments over fisheries and boun-
diary waters over which there has been
much diplomatic correspondence.
One element which may have
prompted action is the development
of customs vessels to guard against
liquor running across the lakes. The
dry navy" with modern equipment,
would be technical violation of the
agreement If the boats carried ma
chine guns instead of "1S-pound can
nOn."
Discuss Seaway Project.
The st. Lawrence seaway also was
discussed. Mr.. Kings position on this
question was set forth in the follow
ing formal statement:
Though not the subject of formal
discussion, it is understood the st.
!. Lawrence waterway project was men,
toned in the conference. The position
taken by the Canadian prime minister
is that as stated by the Canadian
prime minister in the house of COM
mons some weeks ago.
ut is an attitude neither of ac-
ceptance nor rejection of the project,
but of postpOnement of it's cOrsidera-
tion. Having regard to the magnitude
of the expenditures involved and other
far-reaching considerations, the pres
ent does not appear to the Canadian
government an opportune moment in
which to contemplate treaty negotia-
tions on this subject as between the
two countries"
Official Statement Issued.
The Canadian premier's reasons for
proposing a new agreement are stated
thus in the official statement:
Eat recent conference on disarma-
ment no single aspect of International
relations attracted more attention
than the unfortified frontier Of from
three to four thousand miles between
the United States and Canada. Over
and over again reference was made
to the so-called Rush-Bagat agreement
of 1917, under which armament on
the Great Lakes and the st. Law
renee river was restricted to four
vessels of 100 tons burden, each car
"The significance Of this agree
ment, providing a means of escape.
from competitive arming, was dwelt
upon not less from the point of view.
of what 1t has meant for more than.
a century in the saving of expenditure
of armament by each Of the two coun-,
tries, than from that of maintenance
of friendship between the peoples of
the respective countries, and as an
object lesson to the continents Of Eu-
rope and Asia of new world methods
in the maintenance of International
peace.
Permanent Treaty Sought.
"World disarmament having made.
the important strides it has as con-
sequence of the recent Washington
conference and the leadership given
the movement by Secretary Hughes,
the present has seemed to the Cana
dian government an opportune mo-
ment in which to approach the govern
ment of the United States with view
to perpetuating the ideals which the
trainers of the Rush-Bagot agreement!
had in mind by having permanency
given in a formal treaty between the
two countries respecting the limitation
of ornaments on the Great Lakes and.
the st. Lawrence river"