The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1911-08-09
CANADA ON RECIPROCITY.
BOTH SIDES GETTING READY
FOR GENERAL ELECTION,
Opposition Will Try to Keep 1t Out of
Campaign While Liberals Rely
Upon IT, Strength.

Ottawa. Ont, Aug. 6.-Readjust-
ment Of the political plans and prep
aration for the campaign throughout
the Dominion involving reciprocity
with the United States have charac-
terized the past week since the Lau-
rier government dazed most Of It's
own followers and the opposition by
sudden dissolution Of parliament.
Tons Of printed matter have been put
into the mails. the franking privilege
having been extended one week.
Little election machinery is in run
ming order and neither party has
enough conventions named candidates
in the field to begin extensive cam
paigning at once, because the con-
test has been precipitated year be-
fore the normal time.
Conventions. however, are schedul-
ed and the naming Of candidates will
be completed in a month. Both party
leaders will be well started on their
speech h-making tours by that time.
II Is the evident purpose Of the
opposition to reciprocity to ignore 1t
and TO divert attention from 1t much
as possible. The government and its
supporters will insist that at the cleo
ton. six weeks from now. every bal
lot for candidate shall be morally
II no. po.iticely a decision whether
there shall be reciprocity with the
United states. In 80 deciding the
people will determine whether Sir
Wilfrid Laurier shall continue to be
prime minister or whether he shall
be replaced by Il. L. Borden, the op-
position leader.
To end reciprocity the opposition
viii iave TO return with 25 more
members than IT has now. That
would give a majority OF five in the
house.
President Taft Is almost as great
a personality Sir Wilfrid Laurier
ia the presant campaign and 1t LIS
safe to say that his utterances on re-
ciprocity will be more often quoted
throughout the provinces these COM
ing weeks than those OF Sir Wilfrid.
The opposition will cover several
acres OF bill boards with them. The
Views OF Champ Clark and other
American champions Of reciprocity
also will figure largely.
The opposition will probably renew
Its efforts to convince tho people
that reciprocity really means
parting OF the ways with that
phrase variously interpreted.
Much is made IN the West Of the
fact that prairie provinces will not be
fully represented In parliament dur
ing the next four years. because the
government brought on the election
before completion OF the census now
being taken.
In Quebec, which Is largely French.
opponents OF the government are
against bitterly attacking the unpopu-
lar naval policy OF the Laurier re-
gime.
The government alleges that the
Conservatives are relying for success
on large financial support expected
from manufacturers In Canada. tariff
reformers in Englsn4 and anti-reci-
procity interests I'm Tho United States.
a..
table figures In the ranks OF those
lighting the return Of the government.
lie is not. however. opposed to re-
clproclty.
Another opponent OF the govern
ment's return is Clifford Sifton. one
time minister OF interior under Pre-
mier I.aurier. He is against reci-
procity on the ground that II Is anti
British.
"A Conservative government is I'm
power I'm Ontario. but II has been ad-
mitted that as Premier Whitney has
the support OF many Liberals. ne Is
not prepared To set his organization
against Premier LaurIer.
Liberal governments are IN power
In the provinces Of Nova Scotia,
Prince Edward Island. Quebec. Sas-
katchewan and Alberta. They will
give the government and reciprocity
all possible aid.