The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1891-02-22
The Campaign in Canada.


The political struggle that is now going
on in Canada is OF great interest 10 the peO-
| pie of this country, because il the liberals
win in the election on March a step in
the direction OF annexation will have been
taken. The issue between the two parties.
the liberals and the conservatives, is
whether there shall be unrestricted
reciprocity in trade with this country. The
liberals, of course. favor reciprocity and
the conservatives oppose it-at least. they
oppose reciprocity in those commodities in
which Canada comes into competition with
the United States. Indeed, it is pretty safe
20 say that the conservatives are not
anxious for even limited reciprocity, be-
cause they feel that if there were changes
made in the trade relations of the two
countries tbs benefits which would accrue
10 Canada would be 50 great that there
would be strong demand for the removal
Of all distractions 70 trade. A COM
pliance with demand of that kind would
be followed by an overwhelming sentiment
in favor Of annexation.
The English newspapers understand that
the present political contest involves more
than reciprocal trade. Recently the Lon
don Times said that "the ultimate issue Of
the contest is whether Canada will enter
the American union" and the London Post
said that nobody denies the right Of the
Canadians to annexation aud 1t expressed
the opinion that England would "never fire
a shot to prevent Canada from annex
ing herself to whomsoever she chosen
-. r..&. - 4. a.
the English newspapers profess to he indif-
ferent whether Canada seeks annexation
with the United States or not, England is
doing all she can to keep Canada under her
control. She is all the time making con-
cessions TO her which are intended TO coun-
teract the annexation sentiment. She does
not want to lose Canada, and doesn't in
tend to If she can help it. And although
the conservative leaders in Canada profess
TO be willing to make some concessions on
the line of reciprocal trade, they do not pur-
pose to permit any trade relations with this
country that would tend to weaken the al
legiance of the Canadians to the English
government
The reciprocal trade scheme is receiving
country. Indeed. it is by no means certain
that reciprocal trade agreement between
this country and Canada could be reached
very easily. 1t is clear that no trade agree-
ment could be made that would not give
this country as many and as great ad-
vantages as would be accorded to Canada.
And it is doubtful if the people Of this
country are very anxious to have Canada
annexed.
Annexation, however, seems to be the
destiny of Canada, but it will not take
place until there has been very thorough
investigation Of the subject. 1t is not i'm
probable, therefore, that, while there may
be a great deal of talk of annexation, the
two countries will remain independent of
each other for good many years. 1t is a
safe prediction that the end Of this century
will see them about as far apart politically
as they are now.
twill be couple Of years, at least, before
reciprocal agreement can be reached-at
least such an agreement as the Canadians
have in view.
1t is expected that the liberals will elect
majority of the new parliament. II they
do they will open up at once with the gov
eminent of this country negotiations for a
reciprocal trade agreement They will, of
course, meet with encouragement. but
unless they are prepared to concede as much
as they expect to get the negotiations will
not make much progress.