The Detroit times., 1911-07-31
RECIPROCITY FIGHT.
ON IN FULL SWING
Canadian Liberals and Conservatives
Enter Campaign That viii Decide
Whether It Shall Be Adopted.

OTTAWA, Ont. July S1.--With the
campaign for control OF the next par
lament already In full swing 1t was
plain today that the fight which Will
end with the elections Of Sept. II,
will be the bitterest In the history
OF the Dominion. Already personah-
ties are being freely INDUCED In by
the leaders on both sides and II Is
very likely that the northern and
western provinces will bear the brunt
OF the battle.
The vote In the cities, II Is conced-
ed, will not change much. But the
big country vote Is hard to reckon
with. At the outset IL Is admitted
TO have decided swing to the Liber'
al side, but the raising OF the annexa-
ton question by the Conservative
leaders is expected to complicate the
situation.
Robert L. Borden. the conservative
leader, makes IL plain In his address
to the voters that he considers the
outcome of the election will be the
declaration by the Canadian people
OF what they expect their further COM
mercial policy to be. While he does
not hint In any way that he believes
annexation will be the issue, his 1ol-
lowers will be expected to see that
II Ia made the final question.
Sir Wilfrid Laurier insists that the
country wants reciprocity. He said
today he believed his party would
have a largely increased majority IN
the new parliament.
The question at issue Is not q ne"
one, Sir Wilfrid asserts. reciprocal re-
lationst with the United States having
been sought by both parties for over
half century. The present conserya'
tive party, he declared. Is seeking to
reverse this lifelong policy OF It's lead
ers OF the past The enactment OF
the agreement, the premier predicts.
would further improve the friendly
relations existing between Great Bri-
tain, Canada and the United States
and would be an important factor In
bringing about ageneral treaty or arbi-
tration.
AT all times during the last forty
years." says Sir Wilfrid, 1T has been
the constant effort Of all political
parties In Canada to make with tho
United States an arrangement for the
free exchange of natural products be-
tween the two countries.
I'm 1854 Lord Elgin, on behalf OF
Canada and the maritime provinces,
negotiated with the United States a
treaty for that purpose, which lasted
until 1866. and which within the mem
DRY OF many still alive was of the
greatest advantage. Ever since the
termination OF that treaty all public
men OF any prominence In Canada,
whatever their differences on other
questions, have been unanimous In the
attempt to again secure the free ex-
change OF natural products.
The new general election In Canada
will take place on Thursday, Septem-
Der 81. In proclamation issued Sat
urday by the GovernorG General the
parliament was prorogued and dissolv-
ell and the new House to be elected
rext month summoned.
The reason for this action was the
desire Of the premier, Sir Milfred
Laurier, to carry the reciprocity
agreement with the United States to
the people. Sir Wilfred Is confident
that IL the matter is placed squarely
before the people 1t will be approved
In emphatic terms.
The obstruction tactics Of the con-
servatives who have prevented vote
on the question, and were In a posi-
ton to delay decision indefinitely,
the Liberal leaders to act.
The dissolution Of parliament ended
a bitter struggle for advantage that
has been in progress ever since the
present government arranged the
pact with the United States. Both
sides will go before the country on
numerous issues but the paramount
one 1t was admitted will be reclprcc-
ity.