The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1911-02-23
Canadian Parliament
Declares Loyalty to Britain

OTTAWA, Feb. 23.-The Canadian
parliament yesterday formally de-
clared politically loyalty to Great
Britain. The declaration was made,
as an answer to allegations that re-
ciprocity with the United States will
result In annexation.
Neither he government nor he OPP
position intended to make this declar-
alton when the house opened at 3
d. M. They we're surprised when the
proposal was sprung on them from
the French Nationalist group, which
hts been freely charked with disloy-
atty for it's stand on the naval is
sue.
Sir Wilfrid Laurier and r. l.. Bor-
den had planned that the reciprocity
debate follow it's regular course and
the prime minister had moved the
house into committee for that pur-
pose when f. ID. Monk, the chief
French nationalist, declared that in
Canada, the United States and Great
Britain, some public men and a part
Of the press had stated that annexa-
ton was bound TO follow reciprocity.
He belileyed there was no genuine
|annex1tfon sentiment In Canada and
that statement to that effect should
be formally made. He, therefore.
moved an amendment declaring that
with view dispelling the feeling
feeling
OF unrest created in Canada by com.
ments made in the United States and
Canada, as to the political conse-
quences of the agreement, the house
wishes to affirm emphatically its de-
termination to preserve intact the
bonds which unite Canada to the
British empire and the full liberty or
Canada to control her fiscal policy
and internal autonomy.
Sir Wilfrid accepted the Monk
amendment, though In doing SO he
adopted the most unusual course or
accepting an amendment to govern
ment motion, from an opponent OF the
administration. The amendment was
adopted without dissenting voice,
but before the vote was reached
there was an expression OF opinion
from the leading members OF the
house.
Sir Wilfrid said in part:
This discussion, In which we are
engaged has given rise to great
deal OF comment Of both sides OF the
line Men there are in the United
States who have interpreted this
agreement as meaning Ultimately the
annexation OF Canada. Men there are
on this side OF the line who have
taken the same position, but am
glad to say thcre II not one man on
this side OF the muse who has ever
thought or any such thing.
"It appears that men there are on
the side OF the house on which Mr..
Monk sits whose views on this ques-
ton are disturbed and who believe
that in the discussion OF a question
of better trade arrangement between
us and our neighbors the Canadian
people would be so wanting in self
respect that they might be driven be-
yond an agreement, as wise in itself,
to conclusions such as the honorable
gentleman breads. IL there are such
men in this chamber, l repeat, they
do not sit on this side Of the house.
But IL it " necessary In order to
strengthen the wavering faith Of the
honorable gentleman opposite. have
no objection to accepting the motion
and to say that this discussion will in
no way affect of jeopardize the al
legiance of this country to the moth
erland. This motion affirms a princi-
pie which every body Is persuaded of
and which no one needed to affirm"