World War II entwined the interests of the two countries still further, and gave rise to new joint bodies to coordinate them. Another reason is that though it is composed of an equal number of Canadian and American members it has never divided nationally on any question and has almost always reached its conclusions unanimously. This is one reason why few citizens of either country, except those immediately concerned, have even heard of its existence. The most important part of the commission’s work is to regulate conditions so that disputes will not arise. The case was referred to the commission, which, after many sessions and much legal and scientific argument, found the extent of the damage, what should be paid for it, and what should be done to check it. American farmers within a radius of many miles claimed that these fumes ruined or at least injured their crops. A giant smelter at Trail, British Columbia, close to the border, gave off fumes that blighted vegetation. One interesting example of the multitude of difficulties that it has settled occurred in the 1930’s. In addition to administering the new code, the commission is empoweref to investigate any international question arising along the common frontier and submitted by the two governments. It holds its sessions in either country wherever it is most convenient for all the parties concerned. The commission is an international court composed of three permanent members from each country. It also specified the maximum diversion from the Niagara and other rivers. The treaty required that consent of the commission be obtained for any interference with the natural flow of waters that would change the level across the boundary. It established a priority of uses, so that there would be no diversion of water on one side that would interfere with a diversion for a more important purpose on the other side. The new code prohibited the pollution of boundary waters. Arrangements for this were made by the Boundary Waters Treaty of 1909, which laid down a new code of international law to govern these boundary waters and set up the International Joint Commission to administer it. Here was a situation that clearly called for friendly cooperation and joint control on a permanent basis. This means that each could use its own boundary waters without regard for the effect on the other side. More than half of the nearly 4,000-mile line runs through waterways, and by the ordinary rules of international law each country has absolute control of all its waters right up to the line separating them. It exercises a surprising amount of authority over the common interests of the two countries along the international boundary. Perhaps the most remarkable illustration of the intimacy of the relations between Canada and the United States is the International Joint Commission. So the Canadian prime minister spoke quietly but plainly to the British government. Rather than be dragged into a position of hostility toward its powerful neighbor, best friend, and closest relative, Canada would, if necessary-, break with Britain. Renewal of the treaty would have poisoned Anglo-American relations, which weren’t too cordial then either. American relations with Japan at that time were so strained that they suggested the possibility of war. She may be the daughter of Britain, but she is married to the United States-without any chance of separation.Ī most revealing incident occurred in 1921, when the British government was about to renew its expiring treaty of alliance with Japan. Canada is really more tied to the United States than to Britain.
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