Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-02-19
America and Canada.

Popular sentiment in this country is
most decidedly in favor of the Presi-
dents tariff negotiations with Canada.
The matter is appraised purely from a
business point OF view. It is believed
that we have dollars and cents to gain
from the pact, and for that reason the
PEOPLE want It confirmed and put Into
operation.
II is a business era. and we are a bust-
ness reopIe Take the movement. which
began several years ago, of American
farmers seeking homes in Canada Its
size and confessed object were surprise
when first revealed. Large numbers OIL
men who had been born and reared under
the Stars and Stripes. and some or whom
had fought fifty years ago to preserve
the J-nIon-men who had been brought up
ON Fourth Of July orations, and had al
WAYS loved to hear the eagle scream
were parting with their American pos
sessions and their American citizenship
for residence under the British flag and
with the intention of qualifying for Brit
ish citizenship.
They still loved America. They had no
thought of becoming Indifferent to the
welfare of the old flag. But here was an
opportunity, as they thought, to better
themselves financially, and they were en-
bracing it. They were losing nothing in
the way of free speech or good govern
,nent They would still be using the Eng
lish language, and their children still be
enjoying the benefits of good schools. 1t
was a question purely OF dollars and
cents Canadian lands were inviting, and
these Americans were investing.
Not all who moved across the border
have remained. But those who have re-
turned were still influenced. not by SEN
timent, but by money. Canada did not
prove to he the land of their financial
calculations, and they sought the old
haunts again.
Thoseswho have remained have done so
because of realizing their expectations.
Canada to them has come up to the de-
scripton which induced them to make
the change. Their investments are prov
ing satisfactory. They are finding the
people acceptable as neishbors. They are
beginning to feel at home, and consider
themselves Canadians.
These men are proba bly, not thinking of
annexation. Certainly such thought
did not enter into their original plans.
They changed homes ami flags solely be-
cause of desire to improve their finan-
cial fortunes. Should annexation come,
very likely they would welcome it, Nat
urally they would be stirred by finding
themselves in their greater prosperity liv
ing again under the old order OF things
and once more American citizens But
they are not in Canada as representatives
OF annexation sentiment. and with view
of helping To force the issue. They are
there for money advantages, as many of
those who have remained behind are for
this new tariff arrangement. The latter
consider that the arrangement will work
TO the benefit Of both countries. and they
want their share of the good thing.
And it must be borne in mind, too.
that the immigration has not all been
from the south. Many Canadians have
come south across the border, to better
their condition: some have remained and
become citizens of the republic, while
others have returned. though these have
been a small percentage. Reciprocity be-
tween the two countries is thus fact
already established. The Taft pact
merely puts it on a business basis.