CHAP. Vv] TREATY RELATIONS 1149 
between the two peoples, would remove many causes which 
have in the past provoked irritation and trouble to the 
Governments of both countries, and would promote those 
kindly relations between the Empire and the Republic which 
afford the best guarantee for peace and prosperity ; that the 
Liberal party is prepared to enter into negotiations with 
a view to obtaining such a treaty, including a well-considered 
list of manufactured articles, and we are satisfied that any 
treaty so arranged will receive the assent of Her Majesty's 
Government, without whose approval no treaty can be made. 
In 1896 the Liberal Government came into office, and it 
was naturally anxious to carry out the policy which it had 
adopted when in Opposition. Arising out of the question 
of the Seal Fisheries, arrangements were made for a Joint 
High Commission to consider all the outstanding questions 
between the United States and Canada. On that High Com- 
mission Sir Wilfrid Laurier, Sir Richard Cartwright, and Sir 
Louis Davies represented Canada, and Lord Herschell Great 
Britain. The Commissioners made an effort to secure for 
Canada reciprocity in trade relations! The United States 
were very anxious to obtain a large schedule of manufactured 
articles, and progress was slow and difficult, but before the 
Commission rose it was understood that a schedule had been 
arranged which provided practically for free trade in the 
products of the mines, for a considerable schedule of agricul- 
tural products, and for a careful and judicial readjustment 
of the duties on certain manufactures. It need hardly be 
said that in carrying on these negotiations the Canadian 
representatives had the full assent and support of the Imperial 
Government. But the negotiations did not result in a treaty 
owing to difficulties with regard to the Alaska boundary 
These negotiations were subsequent in date to the passing 
of a preferential tariff in 1897, and they show clearly how 
* Cf. Willison, op. cit., ii. 190. Itis a striking instance of the change in 
political outlook in Great Britain since 1903, that the action of Mr. Bryce 
in 1911 in assisting the reciprocity negotiations was censured freely in the 
Imperial Parliament, whereas all approved Lord Herschell’s mission in 
1898-9 at the bidding of a Conservative Government. But clearly the 
Ambassador was not the person to interfere with the proposals of the 
Government, 
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