711.42157Sa29/638: Telegram
The Minister in Canada (Phillips) to the Secretary of State
[Received 5:50 p.m.]
222. Department’s 104 of October 25 regarding St. Lawrence development. In absence of Prime Minister I have had an informal conversation with Minister of Public Works on lines of Department’s instruction, without mentioning the instruction itself, in an attempt to ascertain his reaction. He felt that, if the United States could not allow Canada to proceed with necessary improvement of American channels on the reimbursement plan, Canada would certainly be permitted to do the improvement without reimbursement. He was of the opinion that the United States could not well object to such a course in view of the fact that at other points in the St. Lawrence waterway system, in particular I believe the Great Lakes, the United States had with the consent of Canada undertaken at American expense certain work on the Canadian side of the boundary, he felt therefore that to refuse Canada now a similar request would be widely criticized.
It seems possible therefore that, when I take up the matter with the Prime Minister on his return, he may make a proposal on the above lines and it would be helpful to me to know beforehand the Department’s attitude. The records of the Legation do not reveal the points upon the St. Lawrence system where the United States has at its own cost made improvements on the Canadian side. It is said that a drill boat equipped with 12 drills has already started work at the Brockville Narrows. Canada is, therefore, now going forward with her part of the channels in the Thousand Islands sections and may be expected to press for an early reply regarding her interest in the American channels in this section.