Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1911-06-02
Editorial Comment
Sound Reciprocity Essential.

1t is quite probable that the President
is more concerned with the prospects of
the reciprocity measure In the Senate
than he is yet prepared to admit. WASH
ington dispatches have it that complica-
tfons of one kind or another have arisen,
or are likely to arise, which may greatly
reduce the 56 votes the administration up
to this time is able to count upon. There
is some talk of an attempt In the Senate
to ride the reciprocity measure with the
so-called farmers free list bill. 1t may
be taken for granted that this rumor is
without real foundation Where the ad-
minisuation is likely to meet with seri-
Gus opposition is on the Republican side,
and this opposition may be intensified by
the administration assumption that ii is
directed at the measure itself rather than
at the method by which it is being forced
to its passage.
If amendments to the Canadian reel
procty agreement We're made with the
purpose only of hampering the measure,
for political reasons In the selfish inter-
est of the protectionist element or IT
they were made by senators of lesser
prominence and influence than Messrs,
Root and Lodge. the sentiment in favor
of the measure might prevent them from
obtaining more than passing considera-
ton. But when senator Root and Sena-
tor Lodge present amendments the pur-
pose of which is to strengthen rather
than to weaken the proposed reciprocal
trade relations, even the White House,
with it's claim that any amendment will
imperil the approval of the agreement in
Canada. finds that it will be impossible
to have altogether its own way. Indeed.
too much insistence upon the point that
Canada will not approve the agreement
If Congress alters 1t in any way is likely
to create opposition in quarters where
generally speaking an administration
measure might confidently look for warm
support.
Not only congressman but the public
in general may be led by the attitude of
the President toward amendments-es-
pecially where these are shown to be
reasonable and necessary-to doubt the
wisdom of accepting unquestioningy
| legislative proposals put forward by the
administration. even when they are of "a
| character as in the present case. that
appeals favorably to public opinion. 1t
would seem more tactful, more polite
| on the part of the White House not to
give occasion for the expression of this
doubt.
| Moreover. In this matter the United
states is dealing with a nation in which
| common sense plays very important
part. The Dominion of Canada Is too
closely of a piece with the United States
| to expect its neighbor to do things 1t
would not itself do under like cireum-
| stances 1t is not so attached to, or
! Jealous of. form to press it with the
| risk of losing substance. "a reciprocity
agreement that falls short in any partc-
ular of assuring to each of the high con
tracing parties justice. equity. fair play
-satisfaction-would be worse than
valueless. 1t is of paramount Importance
to both countries, If reciprocity is to be
permanent and not merely temporary
international policy. that the pending
agreement shall be safeguardad and
strengthened wherever weak spot ap-
pears even at the cost of delay in its
final confirmation.