CANADA AND AMERICA

Evening Post, Volume CXIII, Issue 129, 4 June 1927, Page 8

CANADA AND AMERICA

NEW EMBASSY POPULAR

MATTERS OF CONCERN

(From "The Post's" Representative.) VANCOUVER, 3rd May.

Canada has had such a busy time during the past three' months, discussing with United States matters of international concern, that there would appear to be some justification for the expressive eyebrows that are being raised in ■ Great Britain at tendenciesthat 'Canada is ardently nationalistic, and impatient of any ties with Great Britain that tend to restrict her development* Whether it be that the creating of the Canadian Embassy- at Washington has* created these matters of international concern or not, it is a simple fact that the Embassy ig already working at high-pressure. It may be argued with some show of logic that the subjects of controversy demand immediate attention* Whether they would not get it in such full and direct application under the old regime from the British Ambassador is a matter of opinion.

There are six major questions of absorbing interest to Canada, which are "open" in the diplomatic sphere at Washington at th« moment. The arr.est of Mr. F. J. Parsons, a well-known Vancouver broker, on his arrival by the Tahiti at San Francisco, the searching of his luggago, although in bond; and what appears to be very sharp treatment by Federal officials, ia'connection with an alleged liquor plot to.land a million dollars worth of liquor Jrom Papeete—the new "Vancouver" of .Runi Bow —although he claimed to have been only associated with the insurance of the cargo from Canada to Papeete—this is the latest cause celebre between the two countries. The evidence to date, although all coming from United States newspaper reportß, would appear to show that a citizen of Canada has been rather roughly handled, and Ottawa is asking Washington the reason why. ■-•'■.. - Another question, of only a fortnight's existence, is the actioh of the Eadio Corporation of America, an official concern, of the Bureau of Commerce, in allotting ■ only half-a-dozen wave-lengths to Canada, is stirring Canada to a dignified protest. A third matter is the treatment of Canadian migrants. : -

BORDER SHUaGUHG,

Canada feels that she is getting quicker action in regard to smuggling of merchandise and liquor at the border since the "quick-fire campaign of .both countries has commenced. The St. Lawrence-Atlantic deep-water scheme, for big ships, estimated to cost £30,000,000, is at the stage when the engineers of both countries-are examining and conferring on the plans, -with Canada slightly on the defensive in what appears to be an aggressive spirit by America. The use by Chicago of the water of Lake Michigan is characterised as a "steal" in many United States newspapers; in Canada, where the lowering of the level of the Hake is affecting agriculture, it is callett by a stronger name still. ..-..'• :

Interest and official activity in all six questions have quickened since the Imperial Conference granted "equal status" —if it was, after all,.something new that was granted, on which there is yet a conflict of opinion. A sum of £100,000 was voted to the .Embassy, which is housed in a magnificent structure, once the home of a millionaire in the Capitol. It is immensely popular all over the TJnited States.

The establishment of the Embassy has-led to a new-vogue for. northward migration across the international border. This is due to a singular circumstance. A. corporal of the North-west' Mounted Police sifts tha visitors at the entrance to the Embassy. America, seeing the magnificent scarlet tunic and habiliments of the famous Force, wants to join it, and the Ambassador, Mr. Massey—the title is becoming accepted everywhere—has been embarrassed by the thousands of applications he has received from Americans desiring to join the police. The ,critics,.of the "equal status" regime are satirical in their comment that Canada might at least get a few American settlers out of it, to offset the huge loss.in manpower to tho United States since the war. „ . • . ' ■■ '