The Daily Missoulian. [volume] (Missoula, Mont.) 1904-1961, 1911-09-22

kalamazoo. Mich. Sept. 21.-Presi-
dent TAFT brought to a close his four
dav swing through Michigan here to-
night and headed for the west. The
last day In Michigan found the presi-
dent speaking In Grand Rapids. Battle
Creek and Kalamazoo The Grand
Rapids address was one OF the presi-
dents set speeches on the tariff and
his veto OF the wool. cotton and farm
ers' free list bills: in Battle Creek he
talked of Canadian reciprocity and the
annexation bogey and he wound up
the day here with speech on peace
and arbitration.
In every town visited there were
the same eager crowds to see the pres-
ident that he has encountered every
where through the state. The speech
at Grand Rapids was delivered In a
drizzllng rain. but several thousand
listened attentively. In Battle Creek
lie talked to the largest crowd so far
on his trip.
The presidents speech at Battle
Creek was the first he has made on
reciprocity since the Canadian parlia-
ment was prorogued several months
ago
They say we want to annex Cam
ada. huh" said the president laugh.
ing. Gentlemen. my experience in
this government has taught me that
we have territory enough without en-
larging our borders / can say for
one that the talk that the trade treaty
was to facilitate annexation Is 'bosh.'"
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.
Al the conclusion of his speech the
president was taken about Battle
Creek, He left tonight for Peoria, ILL.,.
where he will spend tomorrow.
There was much speculation here to-
! night as to what effect the result ar
the election will have upon the presI-
dents reception in the insurgent and
agricultural states which he VIII soon
visit and where he has been bitterly.
| opposed because OF his advocacy OF
reciprocity.
The president unquestlonably was
taken BY surprise and this made his
disappointment all the more bitter
| When the first returns began To come
! IN indicating that the conservatives
/ mad made decided gains, the president
remained hopeful that the results In
the western provinces would material-
~ change the situation. AS the con-
seFVatlse victory continued to grow.
| however, he gave up all hope. Few
OF the banqueters present know that
the president was receiving the ra.
turns, and they did not appreciate
What TIE play or his countenance
meant as the little white slips OF pa
per containing Associated Press bul.
letins We're passed to him.
Mr. Taft proved I. good loser how
ever, for when he rose to speak his
characteristic smile had not deserted
him
the president had confidently pre-
dicted that reciprocity would win. Ha
had refralned from discussing the is
sue III any of his public utteranoes
Hhlle the campaign was on in Cam
ada Today, at Battle Creek, how
ever, with the assurance that whateyer
he might gay could not be miseon.
strued, isasmuch As the Canadian poIls
were about to close, Mr.. Taft launched
INTO reciprocity speech. He spoke
with the confidence OF one who be-
lleved victory was IN sight.
President Tart was deeply chagrfned
When the annexation bugaboo was
brought into the discussion of reci-
procity and believes 1t had much IN
! do with deciding the Issue.
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