New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-08-16
RidicuIes Annexation Talk.

Some men in the United States may want
it, he said but there are men in Canada
who do not want IT. II he were permitted
10 address a meeting in the United States
he would tell the people that If reciprocity
meant the loss OF Canadian independence
Canada would have nothing 70 do with il
Annexation talk was beneath the attention
Of the Canadian people. said Sir Wifrid.
Referring to the Opposition's claims that
the Democrats were coming into power and
that they would lower the tariff. Sir VIII
frid said the present agreement was in
black and white. while Democratic tariff
reduction was somewhat nebulous.
Peace. harmony and concord between
Canada and the United States have been
firmly established" said Sir Wllfrid in con-
clusion, and the people are at the dawn
Of a new era. They have learned that
blood is thicker than water. Farreachins
as the present agreement ts, I have visions
OF another in a few years which will be an
other step toward that higher civilization
which is coming in the political world"
Anti Reel procity Speech.
r. l. Borden, the Opposition leader, be-
gan his campaign tonight at London, Ont
He did not seek 20 avoid the reciprocity
issue, but boldly challenged the economic
soundness OF the reciprocity pact and de
bounced Il as against the interest Of Can.
ada Practically his entire speech was
upon reciprocity.
Why" asked Mr.. Borden, after pursu-
ing for forty years a path which had led
tc so splendid a goal as that Of making
T.pad1 u-ifL ba I3r;,t
Empire, should the government seek an
agreement with the United States which
brings us TO the parting Of the ways and
seeks to devote us to a pact which may
have seemed attractive forty years ago,
but the dangers Of which we see to-day
with clearer vision?
The reciprocity proposal provides free
trade in everything the farmer sells. but
maintains the tariff on everything he buys.
II is idle TO expect the farmers would con-
tinue TO be satisfied with this. They would
demand free trade in what they buy. Tn
restricted continental free trade is the goal
10 which this reciprocity agreement will
lead us. That IS the view Of President
Taft Unrestricted continental free trade
will mean that the one tariff which will
prevail for Canada and the United States
will be made at Washington. What will
then become Of Csnada's fiscal indepen-
dence. autonomy and connection with the
british Empire7"
President Taft Justified.
Discussing reciprocity's economical aspect,
Mr.. Borden said President Taft was tusti-
fed in declaring this agreement will be 70
A.. ,Lo %, TT-g, 4
States. Fer every Canadian farmer admit
led 70 the American market free. twelve
American farmers will be admitted freely
to the Canadian market. Under the favored
nation agreement Argentina and Danish
products will enter Canada free 10 compete
with Canadian farmers. as will the products
II Australia and New Zealand. Canadian
wheat and barley should be manufac tured
at home and not sent to the American mills.
Let each country adopt toward the other
a trade policy as generous as its true in
terests will permit. bur let Il be done with
out entangling engagements.
The Laurier and Borden speeches made
II evident that reciprocity will be the sole
issue in every province except Quebec.
Neither orator attempted serious discussion
OF any other question.
Whc;her the government will be able 10
avoid discussion OF its naval policy in
the province OF Quebec will depend largely
upon SIR Wlfrid Laurer's meeting at Three
Rivers on Thursday. II is understood that
he Will attempt 10 confne the campaign TO
the reciprocity issue.
The two leaders have planned TO hold
meetings almost daily, and their tours will
include the whole OF Eastern Canada.