New-York tribune., 1911-02-16
Mr.. KNOX TELLS WHAT
RECIPROCITY MEANS
Closer Trade Relations with
Canada, but No Political
Union.
J. J. HILL ALSO URGES PLAN

Products of Widespread Con-.
sumption Sought, Says
Secretary Of State.
Chicago, Feb. l5-Pursuing the cam
psisn of education" planned by President
Taft. Secretary Knox addressed the Chi
cago Association Of Commerce tonight on
the Canadian reciprocity agreement
Though the people Of the United States
and Canada are substantially homogeneous,
with deep moral and racial reciprocltles'
the benefits of the proposed agreement, the
Secretary of State said, ought not to he
obscured by the fear of relations too cord
ial and conceivably dangerous to the great
Canadian loyalty 10 England
James ]. Hill, who was also a speaker,
urged the adoption Of the agreement. as
serting that there ought not to be one
vote in Congress or one voice in the coun-
try against 1t.
Mr.. Knox declared that while migrations
proceeded as constantly and as freely be-
tween Canada and the United States as be
tween two states of this country, and
while the two peoples have been welding
together for two centuries, there is not
the slightest probability that this racial
and moral union will involve any political
change. or annexation or absorption" He
continued:
Generous and equitable reciprocal trade
relations between the United States and
Canada are the natural, logical and inevl-
Grafton wnen the North American conti-
nent was first settled by Western Euro.
-peans The period in the onward march OF
Western civilization has now been reached
when the development Of the vast re-
sources Of Canada is necessary for the vel
fare of the race. The same impelling forces
which under similar conditions drove the
settlers OF the Atlantic states across the
Appalachian r9nge, thence later mo the
Mississippi Valley and across the ROCKY
Mountains, now cause the adoption or the
same measures for the general welfare in
the progress of q group of two great peo-
pie whose homogeneity rests upon origin.
propinquity and interdependence, and not
upon political affiliations.
II Is an chronological fact that political
units of the English speaking people never
lose their autonomy Like bees, they give
off their swarms. who set up for themselves
independently. but they do not make poliu-
cal combinations among themselves. Since
the Revolution there have oeen almost un-
disturbed peace and amity between the
two countries. and, however governmental
changes may have been bruited in the past,
Il is probably. more true to-day than ever
before that the weight of sentiment ana
opinion both in Canada and the United
States, while desiring closer relations In
all other respects, is crystalliZed IN oellef
that the present political separation Is de-
sirable and will lead 10 the best develop
ment Of each nation and 10 better and more
satisfactory relations between them.
In the higher atmosphere and broader
aspects Of the situation II is certain that
II there should be any great world move.
ment involving this continent Canada and
the United States would, as matter OF
course. act in the most perfect concert in
defence OF the common rights of common
blood and civilization
The United States recognizes with salts
faction that the Dominion of Canada is a
permanent North American political unit.
ard that her autonomy is secure. The
United States appreciates the advantage to
the common welfare Of the continent that
Canada contributes her own strength plus
the strength Of Great Britain.
Secretary Knox began his address by
outlining the trade relations between the
United States and Canada, and then re-
marked that "for more than half cen
fury the statesmen OF Canada, Of Great
Britain and Of the United states have, by
repeated effort, testified and reafTirmed an
abiding and fundamental belief in the prin-
ciple Of American Canadian reciprocity"
scope OF the Agreement.
sketching briehy the negotiations be-
tween Canada and the United States from
the time of the passage of the reciprocity
treaty Of 1854 and its abrogation. in 1866
Mr. Knox spoke OF the later efforts on both
sides of the line to promote reciprocal
trade the Canadian pilgrimaees TO Wash
ington, "the cold reception given eminent
/ Canadians who made these riigrimages and
the appeal to imperial an1 political senti-
ment by their opponents at home" lie
added;
/ Our task was. despite all this. 10 submit
/ to the people of the United States and &c
| the people of Canada an opportunity tC
| cement the commercial links which II j:
! decreed shall unite us.
The scope OF the agreement Is broad IN
! principle and comprehensive in detail. Rec
| ognizing the condition which exists in oul
own country, and without undertaking tc
define the causes which have led to tn,
! increased cost of living. IL seeks to give oul
| millions OF wage earning consumers the
| benefit OF drawing upon the surplus fOoC
supplies nearest At hand. IT seeks, by pro
viding for the freest possible Interchange
/ OF commodities across political boundary
/ which. when il comes 10 production and
! commerce, is an artificial boundary, to pre-
| vent those manipulations and those specu
lative fluctuations In prices which are
/ harmful both to the producer and TO The
consumer.
IT is evident that contiguous countries oc
| cupying the relation OF the United States
! and Canada. In the interest alike OF pro
| ducers and consumers. should first provid'
! for the freest possible interchange Of prod
| ucts Of widespread consumption by th'
| masses. and also articles OF animal con
! sumption. This naturally includes whea
and the other cereals. live food animals
, fish. fruits. dairy products and vegetables
! All this is done In the reciprocity agree
ment.