Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1911-02-16
STORM Stirred By
annexation JOKE
CHAMP cLARk's REFERENCE TO
U. .. FLAG OVER hEMisPHERE
MAKES TROUBLE.
TAFT MOVED TO WRITE
pIscLAlMiNo RESPONSIBILITY
English and Canadian Newspapers
Stirred Over Incident and Clark 10
Surprised at Storm Hs aaissd-Hs'
marks Grow Out Of Debate Over
Reciprocity Treaty.

Washington, Feb 1.-THE semi
jocular remarks which Champ Clark,
The democratic speaker-to-be, made In
The house in the debate on the Ca
madam reciprocity agreement that ne
believed the stars and stripes would one
day floats over the entire western
hemisphere, stirred up most unexpected
trouble.
President Taft took occasion to write
10 Representative Mccall, introducer OF
the reciprocity bill, disclaiming and
deprecaring the annexation talk, and
to follow it up with personal remarks
even more emphatic to his visitors.
The news that Mr.. Clark's illusions
had created excitement in Canada and
in England occasioned grea, surprise
and considerable amusement at the
capitol. The man most surprised OF all
was Mr.. Clark himself.
MI Clark's entire speech on reci-
procity Tuesday was delivered In a
half humoroues, half-taunting vein.
The house was in a gale Of laughter
most Of the time. In return for the
laughs he was creating at their ex-
pense some of the republicans tried to
turn the tables on Mr. Clark by chiding
him with the fact that he might have
President Taft as an opponent for the
democratic nomination.
Remarks Not Serious.
This humorous exchange reflected
the spirit Of the debate during the time
Mr. Clark was on his feet. and no one
gave serious consi deration to his re-
marks regarding the possible annexa-
ion Of Canada. They regarded his
statements in the nature OF complaint
to the Canadian people, in that he
would be glad to see the friendship that
exists at present between the Canadians
and the United States 50 ripen In the
future that all might some day be I'M
der one flag. There was further
touch Of Righteousness to the debate
when one OF the republicans asked MI.
Clark II he would like TO be the first
president Of the magnificent union he
was creating. and he replied. amid a
burst Of laughter. that he certainly
would
The excitement abroad was attrfbut-
ed at the capitol today IN part to the
fact that several England and Canadian
newspaper correspondents we're IN tho
press gallery following the debate.
when Mr.. Clark spoke. His remarks
may have appealed to them as the most
important feature Of the story and
have been called according. In "ske!e-
tonizing" his remarks for cable pur-
poses the serri-humorous character OF
the debate was entirely lost sight OF.
Friends Of the reciprocity measure were
inclined to take the view that oppon-
ents Of the agreement had simply seized
upon what was regarded here as an
entirely personal ard harmless state
ment to make capital against the rati-
Acation Of the agreement
Similar Speeches Made.
A declaration similar 70 that made by
Mr.. Clark was contained in the opening
speech last Monday in favor Of the reci-
procity bill in the house delivered by
Representative Hill. OF Connecticut. a
m ember Of tho ways and means COM
:nitree and member OF the admins
tration party. This speech. widely re-
ported In the American papers. caused
not a ripple so far as its annexation
sentiments were concerned.
NJ. Hill also quoted from speech
ma de few years age by Speaker Can
non in which ne no, only took Canada
Il under the American flag, but pro-
posed 10 make the entire western hen1-
sphere into one country.
Democratic leaders particularly were
pleased over the passage OF the Mccall
bill Representative Underwood. Of
Alabama. Minority Leader Clark
chief lieutenant and the chairman Of
the ways and means committee Of the
next congress, said that he regarded the
action Of the house as In every way
helpful to the democrats that it marked
the beginning OF the end Of high pro-
lection and foreshadowed a democratic
victory in the national elections in 1912.
Their vote showed that they were as
badly split up as the democrats were
in the last session Of congress during
the Cleveland administration
Speaker Cannon, Republican Dwight
Chairman Dalzell of the rules COM
mittee and other leaders OF the repub-
lican party in the house were among
those who stood out against the ad-
ministration program, and the demo-
cratic leaders figured that this split
in the ranks angnred well for demo-
cratic success.
TAFT Expresses Surpriee.
President Taft yesterday to some OF
his congressional callers expressed as
constituent that Representative Clark
should have injected into the recipro-
city discussion Of the house any
thought about the annexation of Can
ada.
The White House is said to regard
the remarks Of Mr.. Clark as most
unfortunate. as the president has made
II known that he would like fo have Al
understood turnout the world that his
administration had no thought, what
ever of annexation when the recipro-
city agreement was arranged.
The president, 1t Is said. is hopeful
that the people Of this country, Can.
ada and Great Britain will look upon
L the sneech Of Mr. Clark xnerelx an tn