The Washington times., 1911-02-17
FILIBUSTERING AGAINST CA
MADAM RECIPROCITYPACT.

Representative Bennett of New York
in introducing a resolution directing
the Administration to open negotia
tions looking to the annexation o.
Canada, has, of course, done the par
ticular thing most calculated to EN-
barrass the effort for closer trade rela
tions. 1t need be no surprise if few
manifestations such as the ChamI
Clark speech and the Bennett resolution
shall arouse an sntagonism which will
end all change of adoption of the pres,
ent or any modified agreement.
Mr.. Clark's speech is hardly to be set
down in the same category as the Ben
net resolution. Mr. Clark has within a
few weeks risen to the dignity and re-
sponsibiity of one of the big figures
in public life To him is denied, here
after. that freedom and ease of ire
sponsible conversation. which an ordi-
nary member of the minority in Con-
gress may indulge.
A picturesque Congressman from
Missouri, unknown to the English view
of American affairs, might have said
all that Mr.. Clark uttered about an
neXation of Canada, and aroused no
resentment. The British press would
hardly have known of the incident, and
would have rated it as no more than
an incident. But when that picturesque
becomes suddenly a world
a parsonage instead of mere
individual, the leader of the incoming
Democratic House, then prodigious and,
to us, rather unwarranted Importance
must attach, in the realm of interna-
tional affairs, to any utterance from
him.
Doubtless Mr.. Clark, had he quite
realized its significance, would not have
said it. But in the case of Representa-
tive Bennett, a different view must be
taken. The Bennett resolution was
plainly introduced with a full realiza-
ton of the significance that would be
attached to it, and with the very pur-
pose of arousing the prejudice of Ca
madam and British jingoes.
President Taft and his Administra-
ton are entirely justified in their con-
Germ over this expression from Mr..
Bennett. Probably the best thing that
could happen, would be the prompt con-
sideration and emphatic rejection of the
1t is hardly conceivable that
the entire force of standpatters would
support such a resolution, in the hope
of further arousing British prejudice.
That would be dallying with fire in a
fashion which even the exigencies o.
politics would not warrant.
The Bennett variety of filibustering
will not in the end strengthen the hand
Of those political forces that are de-
termined to defeat the Canadian ar
1t will have the effect
rather of arousing resentment and bit
terness among plain American citizens
who want this Canadian question con,
5idered on its merits.
Millions of people who are not alto
yether pleased with the terms of this
are yet in favor of its adop-
ton, because they look upon it as an
wedge toward a general ad-
iustment of the tariff to the present
needs and the existing sentiment of
he country. These people realize that
further tariff revision is inevitable.
The vote of the country in the Con-
yressional elections has made this as
as anything can well be. To
get through that revision with the
greatest benefit and the least injury
10 the country and its business inter
ests, is the present desideratim. No
political party or faction of party can
afford to adopt unfair and demagogic
to prevent such results.