WATERWAYS TREATY

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 511, 19 May 1909, Page 7

WATERWAYS TREATY

A HITCH. UNITED STATES SENATE'S ACTION, . ST. MARY'S RIVER. (BT TELEGIUPp—PRESS ASSOCIATION—COrTMOnT.) (Rec. May 18, 9.5 p.m.) -\ ■ . ■ ■ Ottawa, May 18. The Canadian Parliament is discussing the proposed Waterways Treaty with the United States, and especially the resolution which, in the closing hours of Congress, the United States Senate added as a ridor to the Treaty, on tho motion of-Senator Smith. i ■ This resolution affects St.- Mary's River, and, despite recommendations from Mr. Roosevelt, President Taft, and Mr, (Secretary of State), to' modify it, Senator Smith refused.to do so. Tho United States Senate ratified the Treaty with this addition; without obtaining any indication of Canada's approval of it, or of tho approval of tho British Ambassador at Washington, Mr. Jas. Bryce, In the course of the debate in the Canadian Parliament, tho Prime Minister, Sir Wilfrid Laurier, remarked that the rider altered tho situation, and involved serious issues, requiring caroful investigation before tho Government could ask for the Royal Assent to lha Treaty.' ' THE RIDER OBJECTED TO. Senator Smith persuaded tho United States Senate to attach a resolution to the treaty between the United States and Great Britain with reference to tho use of tho boundary waterways, which resolution thus bocanio part of the treaty as ratified by the Senate. This resolution or rider declares: "As parti of this ratification, the United States approves this treaty, with the understanding that nothing in tho treaty flhall be construed as affecting or changing any existing territorial or riparian right in the water, or the rights of owners of lands under, water, on either side of the. international: boundary, at the rapids of St. Mary's River at Sault Ste. Marie, in the use of waters flowing over such lands, subject to tho requirements of navigation in tho boundary waters and of tho navigation of canals, and without prejudice to the existing right of the United States and Canada, each to use the waters of St. Mary's River within its.own territory.'' According to the Washington correspondent of "The' Tunes," "a strenuous effort was made towards the last.hours of Congress to indnco Senator Smith further to'modify his demands, but he would not swerve, though urged by Mr. Roosevelt, Mr. Taft, and Mr. Knox, who took an active part in the matter. Finding it impossible to do otherwise, .the American Government has taken the responsibilitv of ratifi- > cation with tho Smith resolution, without, asl understand, a word of concurrence either from Canada or from Mr. Bryce. Both, the Imperial and the Canadian Governments are, therefore, absolutely free ,to take whatever course ' they think fit." .■;■'- The Ottawa correspondent .of "The Times," writing shortly after tho resolution was passed by the United States Senate, was at that time inclined to minimise its effect. He stated that "the only question :at issue is as to whether Canada is entitled to half of the water in tho St. Mary's Rapids. Clearly she is in the St. Mary's River, but there is some' difference of opinion upon tho former poiat"