The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1911-02-18
CANADA RESENTS
ANNEXATION CRY
Foes of Reciprocity Keep Alive
Hostility by Exploiting Talk
in United States.
BITTER FIGHT WILL BIZ
MADE In PARLIAMENT
Laurier Determined to Push
Reciprocity Treaty Through
at All Hazards.

OTTAWA, Ont, Feb. 1.-THE con-
tinued talk of annexation, kept alive
by the opposition journals today, is
causing resentment in Canada and, ac-
cording to some of the leading support
ers Of the government, may jeopardize
the reciprocity measure now before par.
lament
While the Liberals have accepted the
message of President Taft TO represent
the true sentiment of the Washington
administration, the wave of feeling
that has been aroused in the Dominion
cannot be ignored and it is said that
Sir Wilfred Laurier early next week
will make a statement which it is as
serted Will set at rest forever the idea
that annexation of Canada by the
United States is possible.
In some quarters the disavowal of
President Taft and Secretary Knox do
not carry conviction, and the opposl-
tion press is carefully fostering the
idea that they are the utterances of
adroit and clever men, working with
the ulterior motive of annexation,
which Messrs Clark and Bennett were
too frank to conceal.
The bulk of Canadians do not know
Mr. Clark, or Mr.. Bennett, or Mr.,
Knox. and they are unable to form in
dependent Judgment as to the value of
their utterances. 1t is declared by gov
ment reciprocity is popular throughout
Canada and will produce material re-
suits.
Strong Resentment.
But the sentimental feeling over
shadows 1t and the suggestion from the
south that the agreement is the first
step toward depriving Canada of au-
tonomy is resented Members of the
government, according TO wel-estab-
lished policy, usually refuse to be
quoted on the subject, but one of them
said tonight:
"The government is determined TO
put that agreement through speedily.
if it can be done. but if we are going
TO be bothered by talk Of annexation,
we will throw the whole proposition
overheard and go on with Independent
development under which we have been
prospering for twenty years aud which
has given Canada more revenue and
railroad mileage per head and more
general prosperity than any country In
tho world. y
Another leading Liberal said:
'We can do better with easier trade
conditions between Canada and the
United States, but If there is feeling
south of the line that the trade agree
ton, we can get along without the
agreement, and will do very well as we
have in the past.
Opposition Ammunition.
"Whilc it is recognized that apneXa-
tiou talk in the United States has not
reached a stage where it can be taken
seriously. the fact that it was begun
bv American public men has been snf-
fcient to provide, the opposition with
strong card against the government.
HOther forces fighting reciprocity
have not been idle, and the combined
results arc bound 10 give the govern
! ment a good deal of concern.
"The Manufacturers association, one
of the strongest organizations III Can
ada. although not affected by the terms
of the agreement, has taken alarm from
tho idea that free trade in agricultural
productions will lead to free trade in
msnmfacured articles, and has organ.
! lied a movement against the measure.
This. il is said. has been followed BY a
curtailment of credit by a few Cana
dian banks, apprehensive of the results
| Of American competition
Sir Wilfrid Laurier, it is said on good
authority, also will serve notice on those
financial institutions that if they are
| overcautious the government will see
that other banks take up the accounts,
and the result Will be only loss of
business by the timid ones.
Bitter Fight Developed.
The intensity of feeling developed
against reciprocity by the minority
within forty.eight hours is indicated
by the fact that condemnation of the
agreement which was published as a
public display in Montreal paper, is
being given publicity throughout Can
ada at advertising rates. 1t is an un-
| dop;,blo fact that tbp iiuht in Canada
has developed bitterness which was not
| oypectcd when the agreement was
brought back from Washington,
Parliament does not resume consider
alton OF the agreement until next week
when it is expected the situation will
be discussed with moro frankncss than
at present 1T is said that Clifford Sit-
ton, formerly minister of the interior
under Laurier and chairman of the con
seryatiop commission, will come out in
| parliament with a denunciatlon of the
agreement,