New-York tribune., 1911-02-23
CANADA REASSERTS
LOYALTY TO BRITAIN
Ottawa Parliament Declares That
Reciprocity Will Not Lead
TO Annexation.
PREMIER LAURIER SPEAKS
Accepts Motion Made by 0pposi-
tion Member, Which the
House Adopts Unani-
mously.

Ottawa. Feb. o2.--Thc Canadian Par
lament formally declared political 10y
atty to Great Britain to-day. The dec
laration was made as an answer to allie
cations that reciprocity with The United
States will result in annexation.
Neither the government nor the Oppo-
sition intended to make this declaration
when the House opened at 2. m. They
were surprised when the proposal was
sprung from the French Nationalist
group. which has been freely charged
with disloyalty for its stand on the naval
issue.
Sir wilfrid Laurier and r. L. Borden,
leader Of the Opposition, had planned
that the reciprocity debate should fol-
low It's regular course, and tho Premier
had moved the House into committee
for that purpose. when F. p. Monk, the
chief French Nationalist rose and said
that In Canada, the United states and
Great Britain some public men and
part of the press had stated that an
nexation was bound to follow reciproc-
ity He believed there was no genuine
annexation sentiment in Canada, and
that statement to that effect should
be formally made. He therefore moved
an amendment, which set forth that with
q view 10 dispelling the feeling OF unrest
created in Canada by comments made
in the United States and Canada as 70
the political consequences Of the agree
ment, the House wished 10 affirm en-
rhatically it's determination 70 preserve
intact the bonds which unite Canada to
the British Empire. and the full liberty
Of Canada to control her fiscal policy
and internal autonomy.
Sir Wilfrid Laurier accepted the
amendment. though in doing 50 he
adopted tho unusual course Of accepting
an amendment TO a. government motion
from an opponent of the administration
The amendment was adopted without
dissenting voice. but before the vote was
reached there was an expression Of opin-
ion from leading members Of the House.
Sir Wifrids Speech.
Sir Wilfrid Laurier said in part:
This dicussion in which We are en-
gagged has given rise TO great deaf OF
comment on both sides OF the line. Men
there are in the United States who have
interpreted this agreement as meaning
ultimately the annexation of Canada
Men there are on this side Of the line
who have taken the same position, but
7 am glad 70 say there Is not one man
on this side OF the House who has ever
thought OF any such thing. 1t appears
that men there are on the side OF the
House on which Mr.. Monk sits whose
views on this question are disturbed, and
Who believe that In the discussion or the
question Of a better trade arrangement,
between us and our neighbors the can
aGian people would be so wanting IN SER
respect that they might be driven beyond
an agreement. wise in itself, to conclu-
siors such as the honorable gentleman
breads.
"If there are such rnel in this chamber
I repeat they do not sit on this side OF
the House. But, II IL Is necessary III
order to strengthen the wavering falth
Of the honorable gentleman oppesite'
have no objection to accepting the mo-
t,on and 10 say that this discussion VIII
6, M wav affect or jeopardize the ahe-
eiance of this country 10 the motner
land. This motion afIirms a principle
which everybody is persuaded OF ana
which no one needed to affirm.
"I can tell the Prime Minister THIS,
said Mr.. Borden. leader Of the Opposi-
,ion chat IL this reciprocity proposition
means ANYTHING it means commercial
union between Canada and the United
States in the end
Ny Borden added that he was or the
opinion that the American Congress had
not accepted the proposal on economic
grounds. but because it would lead to
political absorption.
" +. Maclean declared there was the
germ Of annexation In the agreement
which had been "concocted' by sir VIII
frid Laurier, the new Car OF Canaoa'
and President Taft the Car OF the
United states.
w. S. Fielding saiG that the only peo-
n,e IN Canada who were talking OF an
nexation being the consequence OF the
agreement we're those who were oppos-
ing reciprocity.
when the loyalty amendment was put
every member in the chamber voted
for It.
Toronto, FEB. 22.--At meeting OF the as
sociate boards Of trade Of Ontario today
a. which REPRESENTATIVES were present from
every city in the province, the Following
resolution was carried
Resolved. That In the opinion OF this
convention Of the Ontario Associated
Boards Of Trade the proposed agreement
threatens Canada's nationality and au-
tonomy and is opposed to tine true interests
OF Canada. and should not be ratified
The vote was 81 20 IS
Winnipeg, Feb. 22.-The Winnipeg Board
OF Trade, by a vote OF So 10 II, ten members
refraining from voting, passed resolutions
to-day condemning the reciprocity agree
ment between Canada and the United
States.