The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1911-03-06
QUICK ACTION
IS NECESSARY
Canadian Parliament Disposed
to Follow Lead of Congress
in Reciprocity Matter.
PRESIDENT COMMENDED
FOR CALLING THE EXTRA
Delay Would Cause Serious
Embarrassment of Premier
Laurier's Government.

OTTAWA Ont. March 5.-President
Taft's immediate call for an extra ses-
sion Of congress in April puts a new face
on the reciprocity situation and may, in
the opinion OF some Of the opponents as
well as the champions Of the proposed
agreement, save the cause in Canada
from any peril it may have incurred by
the failure OF the United States senate
10 indorso the plan.
II is generally conceded that If reci-
procity session Of congress had not been
summoned and ratification had been left
to the session next fall the Canadian
disheartened and probably parliament
would have followed the example OF con-
gress. leaving ratification to its chances
at the succeeding session.
The action of the president consider
ably relieves the awkward situation Gre
ated here by the failure of the senate
majority today say that Mr. Taft has
made good for his government the joint
agreement that each party TO the bar
gain should use It's best cndeavors 10 Sc
cure legislative approval OF the rcciproc-
ity compact, and consequently they as
sert the Canadian government must COM
pei ratification by parliament.
Bitter Fight at Ottawa,
However. the fight ut ottawa is by no
means concluded, Both sides say the
government is more than ever determined
TO put the measure through. but the op-
position continues 10 show a reaolute
front.
Quick action at Wushngton-actIon
within month or SO Of the conVening
of the extra scssion-will be necessary
TO avoid complications, II congress has
ratification of the agreement before May
r. when Sir Wilfrid Lauricr has ar
ranged 10 depart TO attend the corona
ton in London, or il the Canadian par
mpnt GhOllI
to the time of the premer's departure.
II is doubted that ratification would he
attempted in the absence OF Lauricr
The present opposition is encouraged
by energetic campaign conducted by
manufacturing interests opposed to the
measure.
Space for anti reciprocity articles is be-
ing bought in the newspapers. boards of
trade are being sounded and where it Is
found that condemnatory resolutions viii
succeed. meetings arc arranged and such
resolutions carried
Anti Reciprocity League.
The latest development is an Anti Reel
procity league in Montreal, which is to
be extended TO other industrial centers
No expense is being spared TO forward
this movement.
Annexation talk is practically tabooed
lis place has been taken by eXpositions
OF the theme that reciprocity will seri-
ouSy disturb the existing prosperous con-
ditions in Canada.
The move OF the manufacturing oppo
Dcnts IL is held. was stated to paTlia-
ment with d franllness which they are
now said 10 regret by III. =. Ames. Com
servative member from Montreal who
has large manufacturing interests.
lie declared ii absurd to suppose tllat
the farmers with their products ON the
free list would be long content TO let the
manufacturers continue in the enjoyment
OF protection which the Washington
agreement by its terms does not touch.
Resentment Among Farmers,
There is some evidence that this atti-
tude already is developing resentment
among the farmers of Canada, who are
well organized
The chief officers Of their organization
have given interviews indorsinG the
agreement and denouncins the opposition
of manufacturers.
Both sides of the house ConCede that
the reciprocity debate has many days To
run Some of the Conservative members
declare they will block further progress
until the special session OF congress has
taken final action on the agreement. IT
that this prospect may he changed by The
speech which Premier Lauricr is TO de-
liver on Tuesday.
Tho latest canvass of the situation
shows that were a vote taken on the
measure today there would he practical
lY solid opposition by the Conservatives
and only three detection from the Lib
cral ranks so that ratification by a ma
jority OF over forty would result.
In official circles fear has been eX-
pressed that the incoming house will not
iudorsc the agreement, Such action. II
Is affirmed. would seriously disturb con-
dltions in Canada and would cmbarraSs
the government In the work Of promoting
reciprocity.