The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-03-06
NEW SITUATION IS CREATED IN CANADA Result of Taft's Extra Ses-
 sion Proclamation RESULT ACCEPTABLE Canada Would Have Been Placed in Awkward Position Had Senate
 Refused the Reciprocity
 Measure
RESULT ACCEPTABLE

Ottawa, Ont, March 5.-President Taft $ immediate call for an extra session Of Congress in April puts a new face on the reciprocity situation and may, in the opinion of some of the opponents as well as the champions of the proposed agree ment, save the cause in Canada from any peril it may have incurred by the failure of the United States Senate to in- dorse the plan.
 It is generally conceded that if a re- ciprocity session of Congress had not heen summoned and ratification had been left to the regular session next fall the Canadian advocates of the plan might have been disheartened and probably par lament would have followed the action of Congress, leaving ratification over to its chances at the succeeding session.
 The action of President Taft consider ably relieves the awkward situation ere ated here by the failure of the Senate to indorse the treaty. The liberal majoi- ity at Ottawa today declare that MT. T-ft has made good, for his government, the joint agreement that each party to the bargain should use its best endeavor to secure legislative approval of the recipro' . ,pity pact, and consequently they assert that the Canadian government must forth with compel rat ication by parliament.
 However, the fight at Ottawa is by no means concluded There will be deal of opposing and as much defending before vote is reached. Both sides say today the government is more than ever de- termined to put the measure through and the opposition continues to show iesolute front to defeat consummation.
 Quick action at .washngton-action within month or so of the convening of the extra session-will be necessary to avoid complications. If Congress had not paved the way for parliament by ratifica- tion of the agreement before May F, when Sir Wilfrid Laurier has arranged to leave to attend the coronation in Lon don. or if the Canadian parliament should continue to fllibustcr up to the time Of the premier's departure, it is doubted that ratification would be attempted in the ah- sence of Laurier, who is not only the of ficial premier but the recognized leaoer on all big questions of policy.
 The present opposition. in parliament is encouraged by an energetic campaign which is being conducted by manufactur- ing interests opposed to <the measure Space for anti-reciprocity articles is being bought in the leading newspapers, both liberal and conservative, boards of trade are being sounded and where it is found that condemnatory resolutions will suc- ceed, meetings are arranged and such resolutions carried. The latest develop ment is an antf-reciprocity league now being formed in Montreal, which is to be extended to other industrial centers. No expense is being spared to forward. this movement and develop it to proportions which vii Impress the supporters of re- ciprocity
 Annexation talk is practically is taboo. Its place has been taken by expositions of the theme that reciprocity will seri- ously disturb existing prosperous condi- tion in Canada and in a way no man can forsee.
 The motive of the manufacturing op- ponents of reciprocity was stated to par liament with frankness which they are now said to regret by H. B. Ames, con- servative member from Montreal, who has large manufacturing interests.
 This agreement carries the outworSs of protection he said, "and if it's rati- fled the citadel itself will soon fall" He declared 1t absurd to suppose that the farmers, with their products on the free list, would be long content to let the manufacturers continue in the enjoyment of protection with the Washington agree ment, by which it's terms do not touch.
 There is some such evidence that this attitude of the manufacturers already Is developing a resentment among the farm CTS of Canada who are well organized and who at the close of last year spoke to the Canadian government with united voices demanding the fullest measure ot reciprocity with the United States in farm products in order that they might tp bo markets. The chief officers of that or- ganization have given out interviews in dorsing the reciprocity agreement and de- rouncing the manufacturers opposition, to it. The farmers, it was expected, would be heard from at no distant date.
 Both sides of the House conceded that the reciprocity debate has yet many days to run. Some of the conservative mem- bers declare they will block further pro- gress until the special session of Con- gress has taken final action affirming or rejecting the agreement. It is predicted, however, in other quarters that this pros- pect may be changed by the speech Ire. mier Laurier is preparing for delivery on Tuesday.
 The latest canvass of the situation shows that were vote on the measure taken today there would be practically solid opposition by the conservationists anu OIiy tIlIcc uclcCllOHS lTOiu tic HUI al ranks so that ratification by a majority over 40 would result.
 In official circles the fear has been expressed that the Incoming Congress, being largely democratic, willenot indorse the reciprocity legacy left it by the ex pired republican House, but will seek to exact substitute radically different. Such action, it is affirmed, would disturb seriously conditions in Canada and em- barras the government work of promot- ing reciprocity.