El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1911-09-09
IS
THROWN To
ONE SIDE
Reciprocity Campaign in
Canada Is Making Politi
cal Situation Mixed.
ANNEXATION FEAR
INFLUENCES VOTERS

INFLUENCES VOTERS
Ottawa, Canada, Sept s--In the Ca
| madam campaign, the Liberals. espous-
ing the cause of reciprocity, and the
Conservatives opposing it. the historic
dian parties are very much mixed.
Until within the last year or two, both
parties in Canada always have advo-
sasea r tb nni With the United
them on this issue being the measure
advisa BILE.
The present reciprocity agreement
gives Canadian natural products free
entry into the United States. The tar
If reductions in respect to manufac-
tured wares are few and comparatively
unimportant. In times past the Con-
sentative party advocated reciprocity
limited to natural products, and the
Liberals advocated general reciprocity
favoring practically free trade be-
tween the two countries in all cOmmod-
tiles.
Usurps Conservative Position
Now the Liberal party has negotiated
a reciprocity agreement affecting prac-
tically only natural products, thus
usurping the ancient position OF the
Conservatives, while the Conservatives
have retreated TO a position or dbSo-
lutte hostility 10 any hlIlQ OIL
reciprocity whatsoever
1t is not surprising. therefore, that
the present political situation as re-
CARDS the chief issue of the campaign is
somewhat confused. Conservative
statesmen who have for 20 years raised
their voices in favor of reciprocity In
natural products, now are compelled Dy
the exigencies of party loyalty to argue
statesmen who formerly were wont TO
denounce a reciprocity limited TO nat
ural products as fraud and a deluslon,
now are compelled to justify just sucn
a. pact because it is of their own max
ing.
1t is generally conceded that consis-
tency in politics Is too rare a jewel 10
be Counted among the available assets
of any political party In any countly
but when things are as mixed as tnss
are in Canada now with respect 10 me
chief issue, 1t is amusing. 70 say tne
least to hear both parties quoting lead
ers of the opposite party IN deIehce .ol
their own position
In 1854. only DECADE aiter respon-
sible self-government had been estap-
Hshed in British North America.
reciprocity treaty with the United
States was negotiated ana ratlieo.
Under that treaty, having Tree access
to the markets of theA United states.
the Canadians prospered as they never
had prospered before, And 1t seemed at
the time that Canada was ana AWAY
would remain dependent upon Ine
American markets for the oeVeioplnene
of its commerce and trade.
In 1866 that reciprocity treaty was
Terminated by the United States. 10 the
dismay of the Canadians Wnatesei
NAV have been the true reason for the
action of the Washington government
at that time Canada was then, ana Is
now. convinced that the action was
taken with the express purpose OF IoIco
ing Canada into bankruptcy In the nope
tb9 = AZ would she for annexation to the
United States
ada was then but feeble flame, II was
strong enough to compel the Canadian
leaders of all factions to declare that
Canada's destiny must be worked out
regardless OF American tariff lesisla-
ton.
norncinr the reciprocity treaty was
one of the chief considerations IN
brine about the federation OF the
British North american pr4 te
ton of the Dominion of Canada under
IFS present form of government Al
most Immediately after the NV domln-
lon was organized, ana as soon as the
Great Conservative leader and prime
minister. sir John A. Macdonald, incor-
porated into his tariff policy stand
Ing offer to the United states Oh reci-
nrOcity in natural products.
turing the brief Liberal ministry
under Mackenzie this offer was extend
ed and pressed upon Washington py
Conadian DELEGATIONS. When sir John
re+,,rned to power the Conservative Of
Fer Of reciprocity was reenacted into
law and. as a matter OF fact. mas $1,000
upon the statute books OF CANADA
YEARLY ever since the dominion was or
oa nized But there was never time
S-ben the powers at Washington were
willing to listen to the Canadian plea.
Perhaps the nearest approach TO an
IT,,
the Harrison administration. when
deIegation of prominent Conservatives
renresentfng the Conservative minis
try at ottawa went to washington 70
q Blaine, who. on the American SIDE
of the line was accounted the very
apostle of reciprocity.
Roth Wanted Reciprocity.
The spokesman of the Canadian par
" was Hon. George T. Foster. minister
of finance Messrs. Foster and Blaine
met each other, both declared that they
wanted reciprocity. and then came the
tronhIe Mr.. Foster wanted reciprocity
in natural products; Mr.. Blaine wanted
reciprocity in competing products
The. situation was impossible and the
conference broke up. 1t Is interesting
To note in passing, that on the Ameri
can side of the line in the fight made
nv president Taft and his supporters In
both Republican and Democratic par
ties in favor of reciprocity with Can
ada. there was not one single man who
was associated in public life with
lanes G. Blaine not one survivor in
either party of the Harrison Cleveland
DAYS. George E. Foster. then minister
of finance, is still the leader of the
Conservative party. in the province of
Ontario, is an active candidate for
parliament, and in the event Of a Con-
sentative victory, probably would be-
come minister of finance in the Borden
cabinet OF course, he is now absolute
ly against reciprocity with the United
States on any terms.
The Liberal Policy.
The historic policy Of the Liberal