New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-08-06
AN. UNAVOIDABLE ISSUE.

In view OF the fact that IT stands
almost alone among the prominent Re-
publican newspapers Of the country in
ctndemning the Canadian reciprocity
act The st. Louis Globe-Democrats"
attempts TO chasten what 1t calls "the
"corporal's guard of reciprocity's Repub-
"lican friends" are more amusing than
impressive. 1t thinks that the eorporaPs
guard aforesaid would do well to tenn
per its rejoicings over the approval by
Congress of the Presidents programme,
since whatever credit or discredit at
taches to its successful execution will
belong 10 the Democratic party" 1.-The
Globe Democrat" because Of its repug-
nance to reciprocity in any form or
shape. commits itself to this eztraordi-
nary prophecy:
If that measure be deemed worthy Of
remembrance by anybody next year 1t
Will be mentioned in the Democratic
speakers, but Republicans, for excellent
reasons, will keep very quiet about 1t.
Such a prediction flies in the face Of
reason and probability. We do not think
that our ST Louis contemporary would
deny that President Taft's denomination
next year is practically assured, even
though it tried hard In 1908 10 believe
that he would not be nominated long
after il was evident that he would have
a decisive majority in the Republican
National Convention. Even the eXtrem-
fists among the insurgents have given up
all hope Of making a successful fight
against Mr. Taft They already concede
him the nomination. But If he is to be
made the partys candidate again he will
have 10 stand on the record Of his adj
ministratiop. The Canadian reciprocity
agreement is one of the chief accomplish
ments Of his present term. ANY plat
form on which he runs next year must
give him and the Republican party
standing behind him full credit for that
achievement. 1t is absurd TO say that
the Republicans. though renominating
Mr.. Taft, will keep very quiet about
a policy with which their candidate is
more directly and completely associated
than with almost any other policy which
be has attempted TO carry out as Presi-
dent.
The next Republican National Conven-
ton would make itself ridiculous if il
should attempt 10 indorse Mr.. Taft and
ar the same time to keep very quiet"
about reciprocity. The tariff issue will
be the dominant one in the next ma
tional campaign, and Canadian reci-
procity is a phase of the tariff issue
which cannot be lodged or CLOSED over,
even if some overtimid Republicans
have tried TO shut their eyes and ears
| to it. THE Globe-Democrst" itself
knows that Canadian reciprocity will
| figure largely in next years campaign,
| fer in the same issue in which il init
mated that Republicans ought TO speak
softly or not at all about the compact
| just approved by Congress it also said
The Canadians can get a referendum
on the reciprocity pact next October.
We shall have to wait until November Of
next year.
| If there is to be a referendum Of that
| sort in 1912 If will be because Presi-
dent Taft's candidacy will bring the
reciprocity agreement to the front as IL
! Illustrative of his attitude toward tariff
| revision in general. When party lines
are drawn next year 'the corporal's
guard Of reciprOcity's Republican
| friends will be found 70 include the
great body of Republicans