Polk County observer. (Monmouth, Polk County, Or.) 1888-1927, 1911-09-25
THE DEFEAT OF RECIPROCITY.

\ \
The crushing defeat administere
to the Liberal party Of Canada a
the polls last Friday, and the conse
quent failure Of the Canadians to ac
cept the reciprocity idea advanced b,
President Taft and his supporters
offers an opportunity for mature re
Election on the part Of Americans
On all results of this kind we frs
seek a reason for the rejection Of th'
proposed policy, for there must have
been an oyerpowering influence tina
caused our Northern neighbors to de
feat the plan so overwhelmingly.
There is no question but that The
annexation bogey frightened tht
Canadians into a rejection of the pro
posed reciprocity between the United
States and Canada. Champ Clark i
unfortunate and inopportune utter
ance, in which he declared that he
was in favor of reciprocity with
Canada, as he believed it was the
opening wedge for annexation, and
that he hoped to live to see the time
when the stars and stripes would float
over every foot Of North American
territory. Although he subsequently
declared that the remarks were
made in a semi -jocular vein, and that
they, in any event, only represented
his own sentiments, still he was
looked upon as the leader Of the
Democratic majority in Congress, and
his prominence as a presidential pos
sibility, lent an added significance to
his words which all his protestations
of innocence could not overcome.
Clark Is words were seized upon by
the Conservatives and spread broad
cast over the provinces. The igno-
rant French Canadians were told that
the success Of the Laurier government
meant long step toward annexa-
tion; that the present premier and
the United States government were in
league to deliver Canada to the
United States and their patriotism
was appealed to upon all occasions.
The result was evident even before
the polls closed on last Friday. Can
ada arose as one man and renounced
the reciprocity pact with this gov
ernment and asserted its ability to
stand upon its own resources. Cana
dians are nothing if not patriotic, and
while the thinking ones may have be-
lieved that reciprocity wouldn't have
been a bad thing for their govern
ment, they declined to have the sug-
gestion come from across the border.
In other words, they were afraid of
the results, and thus, in measure,
the utterances of Champ Clark had
the effect desired and aimed at by the
Conservatives.
The defeat of reciprocity has
caused much speculation as TO its eff
feet upon President Taft's aspira-
tions for a second term in the White
House. While the idea was close to
The Presidents heart, and he was un-
doubtedly disappointed at the out
come, still it is probable that its de-
feat will, in a measure, unite some of
he disorganized element in the party
and Mr.. Taft will benefit by the re-
lection Of the treaty. Many viii be-
ieve that the crushing defeat at the
hands of the Canadians is only an in
lication that President Taft was en-
leavoring to drive an exceptionally
,lever bargain for the benefit of the
American farmer and producer, and
hat the Canadians saw through the
eheme and would have none Of it.
3ut that Mr.. Taft really believed that
he adoption of the policy would
AVE resulted in far-reaehing benefit
or both countries, is self-evident,
md the great majority of the Amer ,
can people, we believe were with him
n that respect. They were willing
o try il, anyway.
Last Fridays result has shown us
ne thing, however, and that is, that !
requires two to complete a deal.
here were many who imagined that
he adoption or rejection Of the pro-
osed treaty by Congress, was all that
-as necessary, and they failed to
sckon with our neighbOrs on the
'orih. There are Others who are in
ined 10 resent the action Of the Ca
adams as a slap at the United
iaies, and who talk retaliation by
be means or another. This position
unienable. The Canadians had as e.
ueh night 10 reject the treaty as n
E had to advance Il and are entitled p
no more criticism for that course d
al Is q political opponent in this p
nuiy. N
TIE recent elections IN Canada e.
noasiraied one thing ss9slusNely, h
a that IS that anneratiou ideas arr 81
acceptable under lhe doninion Of n
J Maple Leaf d