New-York tribune., 1922-05-25
Harding Asks
Canal Parley
Will, Canada
Geddcs Forwards Request
by Hughes, Acting on
Presidents Belief That
treaty Mus, Come First
Disappoints Politicians
Matter Too Hot for Ottawa
Leader to Consider Now.
and He Bcgs for Secrecy
Rv Carter Field

WASHINGTON, May "a The Ad-
ministration has notified Canada that
it wishes to opon negotiations for the
construction of the st. Lawrence Great
Lakes ship canal as soon as possible
This request, it was learned to day, has
been transmitted to tho ottawa govern
ment by Sir Auckland Geddes, the Brit
ish Ambassador, at the request of Sec
rotary Of State Hughes.
This is the latest step in the history
Of this project SO vital to many
Great Lakes towns, with visions OF
Ma jes tics stoaming up 20 their docks,
President Harding became convinced
some time ago that n treaty would have
10 be negotiated before any legis'ation
should be passed. This decision was a
rude shock to most OF tho advocates Of
tho project, especially those from the
states in the northern part Of the Mid
die West, where the politics OF the
proposition has been strong for some
time.
Trading Votes on Subsid,
In Congress thesc advocates OF the
proposal had been literally trading
votes with those who favored shin
subsidy, tying tho two propositions to
gethcI. Just about the time that il
was learned President Harding thought
1t would be essential 10 have n treaty
first the log rollers on Capitol Hill had
enough pledges TO insure the |
passage Of both tho ship subsidy and |
The waterway.
About tins tnno Governor Miller Of /
New York took the opposition side OF I
The question in Joint debate nero With
Governor Allen Of Kansas, and the ,
statements Of Governor Miller about |
-he burden which wouid be imposed on /
the American taxpayers by this scheme
gave the FIRST bl. Jar to those who mad
greed TO vote for the bin
The Canadian government, it is
earned here, Is very much cmbalrasysd
1t tie request aust made by this gov
at this time Uuoflcial in
formation had been allowed TO rcacn
Wa hinGton some time ago 10 the ctTecr
lead Of the Canadian government, was
,crsonally favorable to the project, he
Id not wish 1t brought up at this time.
Canada Asks Secrecy
The British, Embassy has been III
ormed by the Canadian government,
nd has transmitted tho request to the
'tate Department, that no official state
lent be made by this government about
he request
AZ j, is reported here. The situation
: that Mackenzie King holds his con
rol Of The Canadian Parliament at OF
ava by q rather slender majority.
2hich would be disrupted and leave
am III minority if tho members from
quebec Province should be alienated
3 so happens that most Of the Quebec
hembets are interested in the fortunes
i the present big Canadian port Mont
cal, which in the last few years has
ONE up so rapidly as port that it
anks second III all America New
ork being the only port which exceeds
in total tonnage
The Quebec members, according to
atormation reaching Washington, are
OF ANXIOUS TO see r heavy load Of tax.
ton laid on their people in order to
I'VE the lake ports the honor Of being
cean ports.
Meanwhile MacKenzie King needs the :
otes OF the Quebec members to put =
1rough the Liberal program Of legisla- =
on winch he promised st the time he y
Ame into power. By next fall, it Is
ltnnated. this program will have been
eaned up, and the waterways project
egotlntlons may be considered How
yer. tins news IS distressing to certain
lddle Western Senators and members
tne house who are coming up for
e-ciection this fall, and some of whom
re facing hot primary fights this
'rlng and summer.
Politicians Disappointed
They arc anxious TO make p n,ar
activity and influence, and thew do
ot want to wait until after election
" TINS play to have its full eTecf
ack Rome. SO it is they who hav.
'aded President Harding into push
e the project, and incide ntally il is
ey VINO are bitterly disappointed that
e Canadian government has more n,
IS put the gag rule on for the tine
,ng. '''"e
Some Of these Middle Western noli
c!ahs nave gone directly to Ambas-
'oor 1eddes, 1t was said at the Canitoj
DAY, IN their efforts to exnadita
llnss, They do not believe that Macs
enzle King understands the nrasain,, n
'litical nature Of the project fron
lelr standpoint. and they do not seen,
DC. be worrying any about the nressino
'ltlcal nature OF the situation fror,
$. At their insistence, it was so;r
day Slr Auckland Geddes has son,
lo1her telegram to Mackenzie kino
50 iar as could be learned to-daI
reply to this has SO far baon 10
ived. 00oh re