Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-02-18
MENACE TO TREATY.
Canadian Parliament May De-
feat Trade Agreement.
RESENT ANNEXATION TALK
Opposition Making Most Of Clark
and Bennett Incidents.
PREMIER LAURIER UNEASY
Reported He Will Issue Statement
on Annexation-Talk of
Dropping Matter.

OTTAWA, Ontario, February lS.-The
continued talk OF annexation kent alive
by the opposition journals is causing deep
resentment in Canada, and, according to
some OF the leading supporters Of the
government. may jeopardize the reci-
procity measure now before parliament
While the liberals have accepted the
message of President Taft to Representa-
tive Mccall as the true sentiment of the
Washington administration. the wave Of
feeling that has been aroused in the Do
minion cannot be ignored, and it is
understood that Sir Wilfrid Laurier early
next week will make statement which,
it is asserted. will set at rest forever the
idea that annexation OF Canada by the
United States is possible.
Sentiment Overshadows Business.
In some quarters the disayowals of
President Taft and Secretary Knox do
not carry conviction, and the opposition
press is carefully fostering the idea that
they are the utterances OF adroit and
clever men, working with the Interior
motive of annexation, which Messrs
Clark and Bennett were too frank to con-
ceal.
The bulk of Canadians do not know Mr.
T..
they are unable to form Independent
Judgment as to the value of their ut
teranceS.
1t is recognized that the reciprocity
agreement is popular throughout Canada.
and will produce material results But
sentimental feeling overshadows 1t, ana
the suggestion from the south that the
agreement is the first step toward de-
priying Canada Of autonomy is resented.
May Throw It Overheard.
Members of the government, according
to well established policy, refuse to he
quoted upon the subject, but one Of them
said:
THE government is determined to put
that agreement through speedily IL it can
be done, but IL we are going to be both
cred by talk of annexation We will throw
the whole proposal overheard and go on
with Independent development. under
which we have been prospecting for TWEEN
ty years, and which has given Canada
more revenue and railroad mileage per
head and more general prosperity than
any other country in the world
Another leading liberal said:
conditions between Canada and the
United States. but if there is feeling
south of the line that the trade agree
ment is the first step toward annexation
we can get along without the agreement,
and will do very well, as we have in the
past"
Manufacturers Against It.
While it is recognized that annexation
talk in the United States has not reached
a STAGE to be taken seriously, the fact
that it was begun by American public
men has been sufficient to provide the
opposition with a strong card against the
government. Other forces fighting reci-
procity have not been idle, and the COM
bined results are bound to give the gov
eminent a good deal of concern The
Manufacturers Association, one of the
strongest organizations in Canada, al
though not affected by the terms of the
agreement, has taken alarm from the
idea that free trade in agricultural prod
nets will lead to free trade in manufac-
tured articles, and has organized a move
ment against the measure. This, it is
said, has been followed by curtailment
Of credit by few Canadian banks, APP
prehensive Of the results of American
competition. Sir Wilfrid, il Is stated on
good authority, will also serve notice on
these financial institutions that If they
arc overcautious the government will see
that other banks take up the accounts,
and the result will be only loss of bust
ness by the timid ones.
The intensity Of feeling developed
against reciprocity among the minority
within forty-eight hours is indicated by
the fact that a condemnation Of the
agreement which was first published as
a page display in a Montreal paper is
being given publicity throughout Canada
at advertising rates. 1t is an undeniable
fact that the fight In Canada has de-
yeloped bitterness, which was not expect
from Washington.