The Sentinel=record., 1911-02-18
RECIPROCITY
JEOPARDIzED
ANNEXATION TALK CREATING
DEEP FEELING THROUGHOUT
ENGLAND AND CANADA,
Leader Says II Reciprocity Is Initial
Step Towards Annexation, Then
Canada Can Get Along
Without 1t.

Ottawa, Ont, Feb. 17.-The contln-
ued talk of annexation, kept alive by
the opposition journals today, is causing
deep resentment in Canada, and ac-
|cording to some of the leading sup
porters of the government may jeop.
ardize the reciprocity measure now pe-
fore the parliament. While the lib
erals have accepted the message OF
President Taft to Representative Nc
Call as the true sentiment of the
Washington administration, the wave
OF feeling that has been aroused in
the dominion cannot be ignored and
1t is understood that Sir Wilfrid
Laurier early next week will make y
statement which will set at rest Tor.
ever the idea that annexation of Can
ada by the United States is possible.
In some quarters the disavowal Of
President Taft and Secretary Knox do
not carry conviction and the opposi-
tion 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 conceal.
The bulk of Canadians do not know
Mr.. Clark or Mr.. Bennett or Mr.. Knox,
and they are unable to form independ-
ent judgment as to the value of their
utterances. 1t is recognized that the
reciprocity agreement is popular
throughout Canada and will produce
material results, but the sentimental
feeling overshadows this and the sug.
gestion from the south that the agree
ment is the first step toward deprlyiDg
Canada of autonomy is resented. Mem
bers of the government, according to
we'll established policy, refuse to nave
their names used on the subject, but
one of them said tonight:
"The government is determined to
put that agreement through speedily
il 1t can be done, but il we are going
to be bothered by talk of annexation
we will throw the whole proposal over
board and go ON with independent de-
velopment."
Another leading liberal said:
I'VE can do better with easier trade
conditions between Canada and the
United States, but if there lis a feeling
south of the line that the trade agree
ment is the first step toward aniiesa-
tion. we Can get along without the
agreement
While il is recognized that annexa-
tion talk in the United States has not
reached a stage where 1t can be taken
seriously, the fact that 1t was begun
by American public men nas been suf-
ficient to provide the opposition with
strong card against the government.
The Manufacturers Association, one
of the strongest organizations in Can
ada, although not affected by the terms
of the agreement, has taken alarm
from the idea that free trade in agri-
cultural products will lead to free
trade in manufactured articles and has
organized a movement against the
measure This, it is said, has been fol
lowed by curtailment of credit by q
few Canadian banks, apprelensive OF
| the results OF American competition.
lSir Wilfrid, it is stated, on good au-
thority, will also serve notice on these
| 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.
The intensity Of feeling developed
against reciprocity among the minor
llty within 4S hours is indicated by the
fact that condemnation of the agree.
ment which was first published as a
page display in "a Montreal paper is be-
| ing given publicity throughout Can.
ada at advertising rates.
| Parliament will not resume consid-
GRAFTON of the agreement until next
week. 1t Is stated that Clifford Six
ton, formerly minister of the interior,
under Laurier, and chairman OF the
conservation commission, will come
out in parliament with denunciation
of the agreement.