Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1911-08-04
CANADA PACT
CAMPAIGN ON
OPPOSING LEADERS, IN OPEN 40.
DRESS TO PEOPLE, CROSS
SWORDS.
THE OPENING GUNS ARE FIRED
laurier Says Conservatives Seek to
Upset Lifelong Party Policy
r. 1. Borden Scores Gov
eminent.

| OIld"d, OHt., July OIL 1uC OpcAiIle
guns in the campaign which will de
termine the fate of the reciprocit,
agreement between the United States
and Canada were fired by Sir viii
frid Laurier, premier of Canada and
Liberal leader and R. L. Borden, op'
position leader.
In an open address to the Canadian
people, Sir Wilfrid set forth clearly
the issues involved in the present cam.
paign and declared that the present
Conservative party is trying to re-
verse the lifelong policy of its lead.
srs in the past. who. he said, for
more than half century have sought
reciprocal relations with the United
States.
Mr.. Borden, in a statement issued,
asserted that the government appar-
emily decided upon the dissolution
OF parliament in hurry or Syen a
panic. as they gave no intimation to
the many members who are accus-
toned to spend the week end with
their families and who left Friday
without the courtesy of notice."
The premier upheld the dissolution
of parliament and the submission Of
the issue to the people of Canada as
more in accordance with the dignity
of parliament, with the traditions
which all true Canadians value so
highly and which the present opposi-
ton degrades with such a light heart,
and with the best interests Of the
country as whole"
ArraIsns Premier's Act.
The opposition leader, Mr.. Borden.
pn the other hand, arraigns Sir Will
frid's act in dissolving parliament az
. distinct breach of constitutional
coming as it does, he asserted,
ut a time when zone of its commit
tees is engaged in the investigation
Of charges which involve the honor
Of minister of the crown and the
fate of the government" Such
course, Mr.. Borden said, constitutes
an alarming and dangerous prece-
lent"
Sir Wilfrid in his address said that
he question at issue was not a new
one and predicted that the enactment
Of the agreement would improve fur
Their the friendly relations existing
between Canada, Great Britain and
The United States and would be an
important factor in bringing about q
general treaty Of arbitration.
The prime minister of Canada told
Of the efforts made by party leaders
in the past, regardless of differences
they may have had on other questions.
to make with the United States an
for the free exchange Of
products between the two
He told how parliament
y as dissolved in 1891 by Premier Sir
John A. Macdonald to submit to the
electorate Of Canada the expediency
Of his again approaching American
authorities for renewal of the treaty
Of 1854.
Sir Wilfrid recited how, after the
present government took Office, it re.
newed this offer to the United States,
but, meeting with no response, decided
that no further overtures of this ma.
ture would be made by Canada.
Scores Opponents Methods.
within the last II months" said
Sir Wilfrid, the president of the
United States sent to Ottawa two
commissioners from Washington to
open negotiations looking toward the
lowering of the tariff barriers which
have hitherto stood in the way of
freer exchange Of commodities be.
tween Canada and the United States,
These negotiations eliminated in an
agreement.
mot content to debate this PROPOSE.
ton upon its merits, the Conservative
party in the house of commons has
adopted system of organized and
avowed obstruction to prevent any
vote being taken in parliament by
which the opinion of your represen-
tatives there could be expressed. Day
after day, when the presiding officer
has tried to put the question, he has
been met with obstructive devices of
every kind, each put forward on some
specfous pretext, but in reality moth.
ing else than an abuse of freedom of
speech in parliamentary debate.
Such pretenses are simply clumsy
attempt to give some color to unwar.
ranted and unidentified obstruction.