New-York tribune., 1911-02-16
fFroln The Jribtls Bureau.
yVashjpcNn. February

CANADIAN RECIPROCITY senator
Hale has cold, accompanied by shgn'
sore throat Consequently the Senate can
take no action on the Mccall resolution
putting into effect the Canadian reciprocity
agreement. This IS. of course, in accord
snce with Senatorial courtesy. but 1t Is
also somewhat aggravating TO the friends
OF the agreement, who arc anxious for the
most expeditions committee action possible
1t Is expected. however. that Mr.. Hale
who, IN the absence Of Senator Aldrich' Is
acting chairman of the Committee on
Finance will be able TO be present oy
Friday and that the committee will take
1t up on that day. Sentiment In the senate
IS as much up in the air" IS ever on TINS
subject. Many Of the regular Senators VIII
do all in their power 10 secure vote al
this session. Many of the insurgents
few of the regulars and those who have
not been reelected will endsavor 70 prevent
a vote Possibly some Of those disposed
10 take this course will think better OF u
when they learn beyond all question that
the President is absolutely in earnest in MS
determination to have vote on the agree
ment and that II one is not reached ~
this session he will Immediately call Con-
gress in special session. but that does not
apply, of course. TO those who have failed
Of reelection and 10 whom the matter Of
q special session IS OF the utmost uncon-
cern.
PIKE COUNTY CRAFTSMANSHIP
That II was "the Pike County statesman"
rather than the Presidential possibility, or
even the titular leader of The Democratic
party. who declared yesterday In favor OF
the annexation of Canada, Mexico and, IN
deed everything else on this continent,
Representative Champ Clark himself laugh
ingly admitted to-day. Ife said he had
nothing 10 add 10 or subtract from HIS
statement. but he did not wish it construed
as the view OF his party. as Re was speak
ing solely for himself, Outlining the per-
sonal views of Champ Clark" was the way
ne put It. although he added that he could
not give an interview on the subject as
! if he once began taat there ould be no end
TO H. In this connection he says he has eS-
/ pressed similar views before. and they have
never attracted any particular attention,
all Of which would seem to bespeak the e1-
treme modesty of the Missouri statesman,
/ who has not yet acquired an appreciation
Of how much more important his words as
/ Speaker. designate Of the next House are
than they were before he attained 10 that
eminence Some Of Mr.. Clark's friends are
considerably perturbed over his statement
Of Yesterday. They fear II will operate
against his political future. They point to
tho fact that his sentiments are opposed
by A majority OF his party, and. too, they
fear they will be used in the national con-
yentlon to support the contention that he Is
too reckless 70 be entrusted with so inn
portant an Office as the Presidency. IT is
possible, however, that Mr.. Clark does not
himself take his Presidential chances very
seriously
/ THE PRESIDENT FIRMl-Inqurers at
/ the White House TODAY found the Presi-
dent Just as determined to secure a vote on
the reciprocity agreement as he has been
at any time in the past To every Senator
who asked the direct question the Presi
I dent gives a frank and emphatic answer
/ Nevertheless, some Senators still insist that
I he must come out more openly. and actual
| L. threaten a special session II he hopes to
secure a vote i'm the Senate at this session
! The President will not threaten al any time,
/ but that he will IN due time make his posi-
| tion perfectly clear. so clear that "he who
runs may read" is safe prediction. The
attitude of Senators In this respect is f9r
from consistent. At one moment they in
siSt that the President must make his posi-
ton clearer than he car do by talking TO
them frankly, but privately, and the next
moment they declare that II is unfortunate
that the Executive should have been led
into position in which he seems to be
driving The senate, because nothing makes
the Sena te more Obstinate Under such
circumstances II is. it must be admitted,
somewhat difficult for an earnest and we'll
meaning President to adopt a course wholly
satisfactory 10 all the members even of his
own party in the Senate.
TAFT AND HEBREWS.-The President
held long conference with a number OF
representatives OF prominent Hebrew Or
ganizations to-day and also entertained
them Al luncheon. The subject Of this con-
ference. which the Presidert had expected
10 take place a week or lore ago, Was the
discrimination against uembers of thai
race by Russia. Mr.. Taft has not waited
for this conference TO open negotiations
with the Russian Ambassador looking tc
proper recognition Of American passports
whether issued 70 Hebrews or not HI
, promised In his Presidential campaign q
take that step, ana no sooner had he beer
inaugurated than he took the matter uY
. with the Russian Ambassador. Baror
, Rosen The ambassador promised TO brinl
it 10 the attention of his government ant
10 advise the President Of the result. IN,
> Russian Foreign once failed TO render an,
satisfactory answer 10 its ambassador, and
of course, he could give none 70 Presiden
E Taft. This fall Mr.. Taft again brought In,
: matter to the attention OF the amoa ssado1
T who promised to raise the question again
c with the Foreign once 4 little later IN,
y ambassador informed the President that h,
] would spend the winter in ST. PETERSBURG
r when h would discuss all pending aues
I tions between the United States and Russi:
. with his government And there the matte
J rests. President Roosevelt made 'simia
G efforts, but found Russia as difficult 4
! bring TO terms does President Taft
is now suggested that the treaty Of 1882 b
sbrogsted unless Russia accedts 70 tn
American demands, but that would be
grave step and one no administration woul
| care TO take unless there was some pros pee