Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1911-08-28
ReCipTociiyFightin Canada
Exceedingly Warm.
Almost All Other Issues Are
Being Cast One Side.
The Charges and counier-oharges
Making Campaign Very Hot.

Ottawa. ont, Aug. 27.-Here at the
capital reports coming in from all
parts of Canada, show the intensity
of the election struggle which is now
under fun Roadway. and they reflect
alse the position and progress Of the
various elements on the main issue o.
reciprocity between Canada and the
United states.
Although the campaign comes while
harvesting is at its height, conventions
and political meetings are drawing
audiences unparalleled for size. 1t is
conceded that greater percentage y
votes will be pelled than ever before
in Canada.
The grounds taken for and against
reciprocity are shown in the reports
coming from all the sections. The
fight against reciprocity is made on
both economic and sentimental grounds
BY the Opposition speakers They de-
clare that agriculture in the United
Staes is so much better developed than
il is in Canada that the Canadian
farmer will be swamped by the arrival
Of food products from the United
states They cite a specific instance
of a carload of sheep recently brought
from Ohio and sold on the Toronto
market below the Canadian prices. The
Liberals claim that these sheep Wera
purchased with money from the Con-
Servative campaign fund and that the
transaction resulted in loss OF $l2i.
Conservative papers have been
printing offers from alleged American
fruit, dairy and provision firms to sell
cheese. fruit. vegetables and other pro-
visions TO Canadian dealers at less
than the prevailing Canadian rates as
soon as the reciprocity agreement is
confirmed. The Liberals have denoune-
ed these stories as not genuine. but ar
ranged for the purpose Of stampedins
the Canadian farmer against reci-
procity.
The sentimental ground raised against
the return of the government is based
on the speech of President Taft in which
he said that Canada had come to tine
parting of the ways as justification for
having passed the reciprocity agreement
through Congress. In spite of denials by
President Taft the Opposition insists that
he has the annexation Of Canada in view.
The cry of loyalty 70 the Mother coun-
try Is being raised perhaps more yigor-
ously in the maratime provinces of Nova
Scotia and New Brunswick than in any
other part OF the country.
The fight for reciprocity is based by
Premier Laurier and his followers, on
the economic advantages winch viii ac-
crue 10 Canada as whole and to the
various branches OF the people and they
denoance the annexation cry as a hol-
low device of the campaign. The French
Canadian province of Quebec is regard
ed as the pivotal province in the cleo
ton. Here Henri Bourassa the Oppo-
sition Nationalist leader, is vigorously
denouncing Premier Laurier as TOO em-
periaHstic Bourassa declares that Laur-
Ter betrayed Canadian independence TO
Great Britain by enacting law for the
creation of navy which eventually will
lead TO the conscription of the young
men of Canada. The same cry stampeded
the electors Of Observation-Disclosures
where Laurier was brought up IN bye
election That the cry is today regard
ed with concern in indicated by the fact
that Premier Laurier at a meeting in 81.
Eustaehe recently departed from ms
usual dignity and calm by declaring that
Mr.. Bourassa was a "Wiiful liar" The
prime minister has shown splendid form
in the campaign and in spite of his 10
years he speaks with more vigor than
ever before He has coined name for
himself that has pread throughout the
country and he is now referred 10 as
THE old cock"
The claims of the two sides up to this
date are about as follows:
The Opposition claim they will gain
seats from the government in the mara
time provinces Nova Scotia, New Bruins
wick and Prince Edward Island in Que
bee. Manitoba, Ontario and British Co.
lumbia, while the western provinces viii
remain with the government as at pres
ent. The Liberals on the contrary. claim
that they will Increase their present
large majority in the French Canadian
sections of Quebec and in the mara
time provinces and will make gains in
ontario and throughout the western
provinces.