The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-09-22

L.
President Taft brought to close his
four-day swing through Michigan
here tonight and headed for the West.
His last day in Michigan found the
Presidenf speaking and visiting in
Battle Creek and KALAMAZOO. The
Grand Rapids address was one OF the
PRESIDENTS set speeches on the tariff
and his vetoes OF the wool. cotton and
farmers free list bills; in Battle Creek
he talked of Canadian reciprocity and
laid the annexation boyle. and he
wound up the day here with a speech
on peace and arbitrationl
In every town visited to-day there
We're the same crowds, eager TO sec
the President, that he has encountered
everywhere through the State The
speech In Grand Rapids was delfv-
cred in drizzling rain from a stand
erected in Campau Square, but sew
eral thousand people listened at1cn-
lively, in spite of the discomfort In
Battle Creek the President talked to
the largest crowd SO far on his trip.
Senator Townsend. OF Michigan. who
introduced the President estimated
that there were 10000 people packed
in the square before the platform. AMI
others more conservative put il ar
$4,000. The address tonight was
ttioNe al panquet IN the New Bur-
dick Hotel.
Ffrst Reciprocity
The Presidents speech at BattlA
Creek was the first he has made on
reciprocity since the Canadian Par
lament was prorogued several months
ago. Up to this afternoon. when any
utterance he might make In regard to
reciprocity could have no effect upon
the Canadian elections. the President
felt that he had no right to discuss
that question. Mr.. Taft explained at
some length the meaning OF the treaty.
which he declared was nothing but a
trade pact. through which there was
not even remote possibility of annex
arion of the Dominion by the United
states. He said that the accuse ton
that this government had resorted to
trickery or had played unfairly in or
der to gain reciprocity was without
foundation.
Il know" said the President. that
some irresponsible newspapers have
called me trickster and a swindler
and say in some way deceived or
played unfairly with the ministers OF
Canada to secure the treaty. Well. I
am not conscious OF II, and I don't be
lieve they are. There was not any
trick about it. The cards were laid
on the table"
They say we want to annex Can
ada Phew!" said the President,
laughing. Gentlemen, my experience
In this government has taught me that
we have territory enough without en-
Iarging our borders Canada Is our
good neighbor. and along her border
line of 1000 miles there is not a gun
or fort or battleship worthy Of the
name. They have their troubles we
have ours. / can say for one that the
talk of those on the other side who
say that the trade treaty was to facil-
tate annexation is Tbosh.'"
Had No Fear of Result.
The President said that the test of
reciprocity would come in six months
and that he had no fear Of the result.
Let me make you prophecy" he
said. II want to prophesy that in
eighteen or fifteen p1onths-and that
will be about the time of the next
general election-the effect of reci-
procity, SO far as the business of the
farmer is concerned, will be SO slight
that 1t will form no part at all in
the issues in discussion"
The President said that he favored
the abolition of all custom houses on
the border line of Canada, and wished
that we had absolute free trade with
the Dominion.
At the conclusion of his speech the
President was taken around Battle
Creek DIN an automobile. Before he
went to the banquet in kalamazoo to-
night he reviewed the school children
OF the city, visited Kalamazoo College
and Nazareth Academy. and partici-
pated in the cornerstone laying of
the new Y. NJ. c. A. building. He left
after the banquet for Peoria, ILL.,,
where he spends tomorrow.
Defends His vetoes.
Grand Rapids, Mich, September 81