The Canadian Premier went to Washington last week to propose
that the Rush-Bagot agreement of 1817, prohibiting the use of warships on the Great Lakes, should be replaced by a permanent treaty. The agreement allowed Canada and the United States to maintain ten small armed sloops on the six lakes for police purposes, but the sloops were dismantled years ago. The lakes, like the long land frontier, have needed no guards in normal times. The enforcement of Prohibition in America has, however, changed the situation. The bold and well-armed smugglers of strong drink from Quebec and Ontario have to be repressed by patrols in armed motor-launches, which do not perhaps come within the four corners of the agree- ment of 1817. Canada has taken the opportunity of proposing a new treaty. We may safely assume that America will meet her halfway. The advantages of the century-old agreement have been manifest. To adapt it to modern conditions should be little more than a formality.
Previous page
