The signing of the St. Lawrence Waterway agreement in Ottawa represented more than an engineering project. It laid the groundwork for far greater economic ce-operation between Canada and the United States shan has ever been possible in the past, states the "Christian Science Monitor." Though few people noticed it in the mass of financial and economic data, the United States committed herself in the waterway negotiations to supply whatever weapons are needed for the victory of the British Commonwealth in this war. Significantly, President Roosevelt made this promise in the final diplomatie note to the Canadian Government, covering the seaway scheme. It is a promise which will mean much to Canada.
When experts of the United States Government went to complete the St. Lawrence negotiations they found Canada committed to a war programme far larger than they had realized—far larger, indeed,-than the Canadian people have yet realized. That programme could not be completed without the aid of the United States.
Now it is known that if she needs it, Canada can get American aid on the most advantageous basis, and at a minimum of cost. The Canadian Government so far has made no move io accept such offers but the extent of its present commitments suggests that, before the war is over, some new form of ce-operation will be needed. 4 1f Canada finally decides to borrow in the United States in any form she will want to know first what form repayment is to take—chiefly, whether the United States will take payment in goods, in trade, after the war. This country has a horror of piling up debts which must be paid in cash when cash is so difficult to accumulate in the present world of autarchy and barter.
On the other hand, the American people can be certain from the taxation plans of the Government in Ottawa that Canada will never borrow a nickel or a single weapon, she will pay cash until she has exhausted the total capacity of her taxpayers. Only as a last resort will American aid be asked or accepted, but the knowledge that it is available gives Canada new hope and confidence, makes her ready to redouble her efforts in the war.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.