1142 ADMINISTRATION AND LEGISLATION [PART v
been nominated by the United States. In the result the
decision which was given against Canada depended on the
vote of the Chief Justice of England, and the indignation felt
in Canada was more serious than any previous exhibition of
dissatisfaction with the Imperial Government.
The advent of Mr. Bryce as Ambassador, and the satisfac-
bory conclusion of a long series of treaties to regulate the
fisheries, the boundary waters, the international boundary,
wreckage, the conveyance of prisoners, pecuniary claims,
and above all the successful conclusion of the Arbitration
as to the North American Fisheries, have induced in Canada
a more favourable view of British diplomacy.
At the same time a new development of more importance
has taken place in Canada, namely the practice of carrying
on negotiations, informally indeed, but none the less impor-
tant, with the consular representatives of foreign Powers.
Ever since 18971! the Japanese Consul-General has habitu-
ally communicated with the Imperial Government in the
most formal manner regarding disabilities imposed by the
Legislature of British Columbia on Japanese subjects. His
representations have been supported by representations
made by the Japanese Ambassador in London. In 1893 and
in 1907 2 the plan was still adopted by the Canadian Govern-
ment of negotiating formally for commercial arrangements
with France, the arrangements being concluded in a formal
treaty signed by the Ambassador at Paris and by the Cana-
dian Ministers in Canada. This plan was also adopted in
1909 in connexion with the supplementary arrangement with
France, and in 1906 a formal convention was arranged by
desire of Canada for adherence to the Japanese treaty of 1894.3
But at the same time there has grown up a simpler procedure.
See his letters in Provincial Legislation, 1896-8, 1899-1900.
See Parl. Pap., C. 6968, Cd. 3823. See also p. 1117, n. 1.
The action of the Canadian Government in not securing a special
concession as to immigration was in part due to an understanding with
the Consul-General, but it exposed them to grave censure by the Opposition
when the Vancouver riots broke out; see Part V, chap. iv; Canadian
Annual Review, 1507, pp. 391-6: Debates, pp. 2025 seq. : Parl. Pap., Cd.
3157.
