Democratic Sentinel, Volume 16, Number 32, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 26 August 1892 — GETS BACK AT CANADA. [ARTICLE]

GETS BACK AT CANADA.

RETALIATION- PROCLAIMED BY THE PRESIDENT. Canal Toils of 20 Cents a Ton Levied on Canadian Freight—Cause* Leading Up to the Declaration—Charge d'Affaires Herbert Was Warned. Bad tor Canucks. The President has proclaimed retaliation with Canada in accordance with the authority conferred upon him by the “act to enforce reciprocal relatione with Canada,” passed last July. The proclamation suspends the free navigation of the St. Mary’s Falls Canal and imposes a toll of 20 cents a ton upon all freight passing through that canal from Canadian ports. The proclamation ot the President Is as follows: By the President of the United States of America. A proclamation: Whebeab, By an act of Congress approved July 26, 1892, entitled "An act to enforce reciprocal commercial relations between the United States and Canada and for other purposes," it is provided that, with a view of securing reciprocal advantages for the citizens, porta, and vessels of the United States on and after the first day of August. 1892, whenever and so often as the President shall be satisfied that the passage through any canal or loqk connected with the navigation of the St. Lawrence river, the great lakes, or the water-ways connecting the same, of any vessels of the United States or of cargoes or of passengers in transit to any part of the United States is prohibited, or is made difficult or burdensome by the imposition of tolls or otherwise, which, in view of the free passage through the St. Mary's Falls canal now permitted to vessels of all nations, he shall deem to be reciprocally nnjust and unreasonable, he shall have the power and it shall be his duty to suspend by proclamation to that effect, for such time and to such extent (including absolute prohibition) as he shall deem right, tne right of free passage through the St. Mary's Falls canal so far as it relates to the vessels owned by the subjects of the government so discriminating against the citizens, ports, or vessels of the United States or to any cargoes or passengers in transit to the ports of the government making such discrimination, whether carried in vessels of the United States or of other nations. In such case and during such suspension tolls shall be levied, collected, and paid as follows, to wit: Upon freight of whatever kind or description, not to exceed $2 per ton; upon passengers, not to exceed $5 each, as shall be from time to time determined by the President. Provided, That no tolls shall be charged or collected upon freight or passengers carried to and landed at Ogdensburg or any port west of Ogdensburg, and south of a line drawn from the northern boundary of the State of New York, through the St. Lawrence River, the great lakes and their connecting channels to the northern boundary of the State of Minnesota.

SEC. 2. All tolls so charged shall be collected nnder such regulations as shall be prescribed by the Secretary of the Treasury, who may require the master of each vessel to furnish a sworn statement of the amount and kind of cargoes, to the number of passengers carried, and the destination of the same, and such proof of the actual delivery of such cargo or fiassenger at some port or place within the imits above named as he shall deem satisfactory, and until such proof is furnished such freight and passengers may be considered to have been landed at some port or place outside of those limits and the amount of tolls which ■would have accrued if they had been so delivered shall constitute a lien, which may be enforced against the vessel In default wherever and whenever found in the waters of the United States; and. Whereas, The Government of the Dominion of Canada imposes a toll amounting to about 20 cents per ton on all freight passing through the Welland Canal In transit to a port of the United States and also a further toll on all vessels of the United States and on all passengers on transit to a port of the United States, all of which tolls are without rebate; and, Whereas, The Government of the Dominion of Canada, in accordance with an order in council of April 4. refunds 18 cents per ton of the 20oent tou at the Welland Canal on wheat, Indian corn, peas, barley, rye, oats, flaxseed and buckwheat, upon condition that they are originally shipped for and carried to Montreal or some port east of Montreal for export, and that, if transshipped at intermediate points, such transshipment is made within the Dominion of Canada, but allows no such nor any other rebate on said products when shipped to a port of the United States or when carried to Montreal for export if transhipped within the United States; and. Whereas, The Government of the Dominion of Canada, by said system of rebate and otherwise, discriminates against the citizens of the United States In the use of said Welland Canal, in violation of the provisions ot Article 27 of the treaty of Washington, concluded Mav 8,1871; and Whereas, Said Welland Canal is connected ragWMiaw cargoes in transit to ports of the United States is made difficult and burdensome by said discriminating system of rebate and otherwise, and is reciprocally unjust and unreasonable; now, therefore, I, Benjamin Harrison, President ot the United States of America, by virtue of the power to that end conferred upon me by said act of Congress, approved July 26, 1892, do hereby direct that from and after Sept. 1,1892 until farther notice, a toll of 20 cents per ton be levied, collected and paid on all freight of whatever kind or description passing through the St.-Mary's Falls canal In transit to any poit of the. Dominion of Canada, whether carried tn vessels of the United States or of other nations, and to that extent I do hereby suspend from and after said date the right of free passage through said St. Mary’s Falls cahal of any and all cargoes in transit to Canadian ports. In testimony whereof, etc. By the President: Benjamin Harrison. John TY Foster, Secretary of State. Accompanying Memoranda.

The memoranda accompanying the proclamation ie as follows: At an interview held at the Department of State on Monday, Aug. 1, the Secretary of State informed Mr. Herbert, charge d’affaires of the British legation, that in view of the passage of the act of Congress relating to the Canadian canal tolls the President would regard it his duty to issue, without delay, a proclamation based upon that act, imposing tolls upon products passing through the Sault Ste. Marie or St. Mary’s Canal, destined for Canadian ports, unless an assurance could be received from the Canadian government within a few days that the discrimination now enforced in the Canadian canals against American ports and lines of transj ortation would be promptly discontinued. Mr. Herbert answered that a f< w days' delay would be necessary in order to reassemble the Canadian Cabinet, the majority of whom were now absent from the capital; and he inquired of the Secretary what time would be considered reasonable for this purpose. The Secretary replied that he thought the Cabinet might be conveniently called together and take action within a week or ten days, and that nothing would be done by the President in the matter within that time. Mr. Herbert said he would communicate immediately with the Governor General of Canada by telegraph, and urge prompt action.