Evening star., 1911-09-01
ANTAGONISTIC TO COUNTRY
Attachment Toward United States
Endangered by Politicians.
MAY SERIOUSLY AFFECT VOTE
Method Of Those Conducting Cam
paign in Opposition to Pact May
Cause Demonstrations.
Special From a STAFF Correspondent.

MONTREAL September Sinister in
crease in sentiment hostile TO the United
States has developed in this section OF the
Dominion within the past week. That 1t
may have serious effect upon the vote in
Endorsement of the government at the
coming election is possible
The fermentation of antagonistic feeling
against the United States is the work Of
the anti-reciprocity politicians. They
have shifted the issue from an economic
question 10 a patriotic question. 1t Is
dangerous proceeding and before the CAM
paign is over may result in serious DEM
onstrations. Already visitors from the
states feel the atmosphere changing. For
mality and stiff courtesy replace cordial
ity in the attitude OF the Canadians, many
Americans say.
The anti-government newspapers and
campaign speakers are tanning the fame
Of antagonism to the states with utmost
vigor and with most visible effect. Find
ing themselves apparently in a hopeless
minority on the economic aspects Of reci-
procity. and seeing that the masses of the
people are inclined TO recognize the COM
mon sense utility of fairer eNcha nge be-
tween Canada and the United States. the
tory is resorting TO the desperate effort OF
charging that the flag is in danger. and
appealing TO patriotism.
To be sure. the flag is in no possible
danger and the plea is specious In tie
and the last card in the depleted deck of
the tories.
Fear Alienation of Canada.
The contention on this score is, in
brief that the United States is plotting
to ALLEVIATE Canada from the crown and
that all loyal Canadians should rally to
the defense Of the crown and In sup
port of autonomy and independence.
At anti-government meetings they are
making great demonstrations in loyalty
to his majesty. OF course, no Canadian
will fail to respond 10 that, any more
than a democrat would remain seated
while toast TO President Taft was be-
ing proposed
But before the meeting is over the idea
has been insidiously spread that the
gathering was not called to discuss reci-
procity, but to render feaity to the king.
Persistently and skillfully that sugges-
tion Is disseminated. and 1t is a thought
which finds fertile lodgment IN the Cana
dian heart. @ i
Mr. Borden. the opposition leader. was
not above making that idea hts perora-
tion in his speech here the other night,
and, OF course. he got rise out of the
audience which might have led one to
think that reciprocity was condemned
utterly. when in fact is was tribute to
the nag.
An utterance of President Taft in his
message TO Congress is being perverted
to use in support Of this plan of cam
paigning. The President said that Can
ada was at the parting of the ways.
meaning, of course. that she was at the
point where she must seek q broader
commercial field and policy. The opposi-
tion has twisted this so as to imply that
ne meant that Canada was at the part
ing Of tine ways with the mother country.
Voters See Falsity Of Plea.
The utter falsity Of the allegation is
recognized the moment the voter stops
to realize that 1t is the voice Of the gov
ernment speaking i'm behalf Of reciprocity.
the voice of the majority in parliament,
the voice of Laurier. Canada's hero and
unquestioned patriot these many years.
and that 1t is not to be assumed that the
government Is party to plot against
Canada's national integrity.
However. with a sigh, this is the way
OF politics, and some of you in the states
will recall similar plays made in our own
campaigns.
In this instance there Is great danger
In it, as the effect may be lasting in
alienation of the two peoples. While at
foundation the residents on our side of
the line and those on the Dominion side
retain their individuality of racial Gus
toms and iiabit of mind, they have
fraternized freely in general commingling.
There is danger now that a wall of hos
tiity may be buflt up not alone between
Canada and the United States, but be-
tween Canadians and Yankees.
A few ili-advised and hot-headed DEM
onstrations against our flag will se..L
home in hot resentment scores of thou
sands of visitors from the states who,
with the hundreds of thousands who have
gone before them. have poured a golden
stream OF clean money into every prov
ince Of the Dominion from the st. Law
TO Vancouver sound during the
summer.
As It Used to Be.
They have admired Canadas beauty.
enjoyed her fruits and products. associ-
ated in friendly fashion with her people
and have gone more than half way %
meet the Canadians upon kindly grounds
They have been unable In these past few
weeks TO understand the hostility TO the
United States as a nation. for by their
mental process they disassociate party
politics and personal affairs
But they do not appreciate being plac-
arded and posteu as an avaricious ma
ton. intent upon despoilng neighbor,
especially when they recall that the
merits OF reciprocity was an open ques-
ton in their Congress between factions.
In all of our debates and in all the
discussion I'm the press during the pend
sncy OF the reciprocity question there
was never an unkind slap at Canada
nor at Canadians for agreeing to reci-
procity. 1t was regarded as an economic
question, to be considered as q business
proposition-one OF dollars and cents and
not clash between flags.
Sir Wilfrid Laurier, however, will en-
deavor TO overcome this campaign OF
mtsinterpretstion. He is the popular idol
and his word and advice go a long way
especially in this province
They tell a story OF the old French
Canadian "habitant'' who came TO town
for his weekly supplies. and 10 the gen.
tlemanly attendant said:
And what is the news. Louis?"
why, the queen Is dead
''Ah. so: that Is too bad And who
gets the job?''
Edward
"Eh, bien; but dat man Edward mus
have de strong pull wit Laurier.''
n. o. NJ