The Topeka state journal., 1911-09-22
TAFT GOOD LOSER.
The President Hears Returns
From Canadian Election
While Attending a Banquet at
Kalamazoo, Mich.
HE JUST SMILED ON.
He Expected Success Of Reci-
prOcity to the Last.
Attributed Defeat to the Buga-
boo of Annexation.
HE JUST SMILED ON.

Kalamazoo. Mich. Sept. 22-Presi-
dent Taft brought to a close his four
day swing through Michigan here last
night and headed for the west His
last day in Michigan found the presi-
dent speaking and visiting in Grand
Rapids, Battle Creek and Kalamazoo
The presidents speech at Battle
Creek was the first he has made on
reciprocity since the Canadian parlia-
ment was prorogued several months
ago. Up until last evening when any
utterance he might make in regard 20
reciprocity could have no effect upon
the Canadian elections. the president
felt that he had no right to discuss
that question. Mr. Taft explained AZ
some length the meaning of the treaty.
which he declared was nothing but a
trade pact. through which there was
not even remote possibility OF an
nexatiOn of the dominion by the United
States He said that the accusation
that this government had resorted To
tricSery or had played unfairly in order
to gain reciprocity was without founda-
ton.
Il know" said the president. that
some irresponsible newspapers have
called me a trickster and a swindler
and say I in some way deceived or
played unfairly with the ministers OF
Canada to secure the treaty. Well.
am not conscious Of it and don't be-
leve they are There wasn't any trick
cry about it. The cards were laid on
the table
"They say we want to annex Canada.
HUH said the president. laughing
Gentlemen. my experience in this gov
ernment has taught n1e that we have
territory enough without enlarging our
borders. Canada is our good neighbor
and along her border line Of 4 ZOO miles
there is not a gun or fort or battle
ship worthy of the name. They have
their troubles. we have our own can
say for one that the talk OF those on
the other side who say that the trade
treaty was to facilitate annexation Is
'bosh.' q"
The president said the fest OF reel
procity would come in six months and
that he had no fear Of the result.
Let me. make you prophecy" 10
said. "I want to prophesy that In IS or
Is months-and that Will be about the
time OF the next general election-the
effect of reciprocity so far as the bust
ness Of the farmer is concerned WIZ %
so slight that il VIII form no part at
all in the issues at discussion
He Favors Free Trade.
The president said that he favored
the abolition of all customs houses on
the border line OF Canada and wished
that we had absolute free trade with
the dominion
At the conclusion Of his speech the
president was taken about Battle
Creek. Before he went to the banquet
in Kalamazoo he reviewed the school
children of the city visited Kalamazoo
college and Nazareth academy and par
ticipated in the cornerstone laying or
the next Y. NJ c. A. building. He left
after the banquet for Peoria, Ill
President Taft heard the returns from
the Canadian elections here while at
tending the banquet given MIN by the
citizens of the city.
Il have Just peen informed that re-
ciDrocity has failed in CANADA ne
said For me IL is great disappoini-
ment. 1 had hoped that 1t would pc
my judgment that it would be "A good
thing for both countries.
1T takes two TO make a bargain ana
if Canada declines we can still go on
doing business at the old stand.
There was much speculation here as
to what effect the result Of the cleo
tion will have in the presidents re-
ception IN the insurRent and agricul-
tural states. which he soon VIII Visit
and where he has been bitterly oppos-
ed because Of his advocacy OF the re-
ciprccity pact
The president unquestiona bly, was
taken completely by surprise and this
made his appointment all the more
bitter.
He Gave Up Hope.
When TIE first returns began 10 come
in indicating that the Conservative
had made decided gains. Mr.. Taft re-
isained hopeful that the results in the
provinces would materially change the
AS the Conservative victory
continued to grow. however. he gave
up all hope Few of the banquetters
present knew that the president was
receiving the returns from across the
border and they did not appreciate
what the play OF his countenance meant
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