44 WITH MR. CHAMBERLAIN IN THE 



the English Government would oppose it. But that 

 state of things had not been realised, and if it ever 

 came it would involve a review of the relations be- 

 tween Canada and the mother country, so that the 

 proposition of a commercial union between Canada 

 and the United States will not come within the scope 

 of these negotiations. 



About the powers of the English Commissioners, 

 Mr. Chamberlain explained that they were pleni- 

 potentiary in the full sense of the term ; that they 

 might conclude and consummate a Treaty without 

 referring it to either House of Parliament. He re- 

 marked, however, that it was customary to make 

 some communication to Parliament in relation to any 

 Treaty, and if it appeared that Parliament was 

 opposed to it the Ministry, though in that matter 

 independent of Parliament, would not be likely to 

 insist upon it. The theory is that the Queen has 

 absolute power to make Treaties, but, as happens 

 now in regard to a great many other such theories, 

 the Queen or her Ministers would hardly ever think 

 of acting in opposition to Parliament or without 

 consulting Parliament about it. Mr. Chamberlain, 

 however, has no doubt whatever about the accept- 

 ance by the English and Canadian Governments of 

 any agreement which the Commission may succeed 

 in making. *' And surely," said he, referring to the 

 alleged threats of some Republican Senators — 

 '' Surely no member of the United States Congress 

 would be so unreasonable as to say that he would not 

 ratify a Treaty before he knows what kind of a Treaty 

 is going to be submitted for his consideration.'* 



