The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-09-18
CANADA IS READY FOR FINAL CLASH Government Likely Wins IS
 of 27 Seats
CONTEST AT WINNIPEG
Magnificent Political Machines of the Robin Government Brought Into Play-Court Favor of Rail-
 way Employees

lines were frightened in the po1tlcai con- test last week and organizations perfected
 preparatory to the final clash Thursday
 in the battle for supremacy in the reci- prceity campaign which has been the
 most absorbing one in Canadas history. Indications seem to show that IS of the 27 seats in the west will go to the gov ernment. f.t In the west interest centers chiehy on
 half dozen contests. The most import
 am among these is the one in Winnipeg where J. H. Ashdown. millionaire mer- chant. who. as mayor three years ago.
 placed Winnipeg on its feet financially,
 and Alexander Haggart. conservative, and form CT member of parliament, have con- ducted whirwind campaigns all week Haggart has the advantage of using tho magnificent organization Of the Robin government, which is admitted to be the most perfect political machine in Can
 ada,
 Outside Winnipeg interest centers on three seats where former Canadian Pa ciic solicitors are running as anti-reci-
 proeity candidates. These, seats are
 Brandon, where J. A. NJ Aitkens of Win- l nipeg is opposed by Arthur Hill. mer- chant very popular with grain growers, l Calgary, where R. B. Bonnet, one of the 1 most brilliant speakers in Canada, is op- posed by Sheriff Van Wart, a former l resident of Montana, who is putting up a splendid campaign. strongly backed by | former Americans, which fact Is being used against him in certain sections of Riding and Prince Albert where Thomas | McCay is opposing Former Member w. Rutan In these seats there is flood of money in circulation and the organisa- tions are very nearly perfect.
 Frank Oliver is again demonstrating his I strength in Edmonton. In Elberta, out i side of Calgary. there are two seats that l the opposition have hopes of winning, Red Reed and Medicine Hall. In Sas- 1 katchewan. the only seat the opposition has hopes of winning is Kaskatoon, where there is a three-cornered contest.
 l In Manitoba the opposition is greatly
 aided by the Robin organization, which
 pcnetrates into the remotest parts of 1 every constituency. Despite this. the reel 1 prccity feeling Is so strong that the lib-
 erals probably will add four seats to the
 two seats they had in the last parlla- ment ~ ssa,.- -s ss fs
 Great attention Is being paid to railway l employes by both sides. The conserva- Itfyes claim that under reciprocity the 1 railways of the United States will gain l so much trade that there will be cur tailment by Canadian railways. The lib l erals point out that under reciprocity. l Western Canada will develop so rapidly l that the present system of railways will not be able to handle the traffic. | Sir Donald Mann. vice president Of the Canadian Northern Railway system,
 does not believe reciprocity will injure Canadian railways.
 Ottawa. Ont. September 17.--semi- official estimates of Canadian election results from both parties show wide differences Liberals are confident the government will be returned and like ! wise claim the Laurier administration will have A clear majority or bS, Conservatives declare Opposition
 Leader Borden will have a clear ma jority of ss seats. !. "Victorv for Borden is assured" de- clared the chief conservative whip.
 "Reciprocity has killed Laurier. I have been over a large part of the country and everywhere I find electors turn ing away from Laurier and announce ling they will vote against reciproc- | ity"
 Premier Iaurler arrived in the city | here he expressed himself as increas- | ingly assured of the continuance of | his regime and the esta ablishment or reciprocity. He intends to make the climax of his campaign one of whirl wind variety.
 l Tomorrow he addresses meetings here and at Rockland in Russell county. Tuesday meeting in Soulanges county will be followed by three meetings at l Montreal "Wednesday meeting at Montmorency will be held. He will hear | the returns in Quebec.
 Opposition Leader Borden closes tEe anti-reciprocity campaign with daily speeches in Nova Scotia The opposing campaigners are closing their work with a final demonstration of flag way l inr and denunciation of reciprocity as | a definite step toward annexation or Canada by the United States.
 Keep both hands on the union Jack" has become popular slogan | with the opposition newspaper and
 voters.