The Fairmont West Virginian. (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1904-1914, 1911-07-31

CAMPAIGN IS
ON IN CANADA
THE OPENING GUN IS FIRED BY
SIR WILFRED -LAuRIER WHO
MADE A STIRRING SPEECH IN
WHICH HE STRONGLY FAVOR
Ed IT.
.lBsTRUGT!lN!ST ARE SGLREg
THE PRINCIPLE OF THE AGREE
MEHT Is THOROUGHLY Ex-
! PLANNED AND 1T is NOW FOR
THE PEOPLE TO APPRovE3lT. E

d o.
OTTAWA, Ont July 31.-The open
Ing gun in the campaign which will
determine the fate of the reciprocity
pact bewteen the United States and
Canada was fired by the Liberal lead
er, Sir Wilfred Laurier. 1t was in
the form of an open address to the
Canadian people, and in 1t is set forth
very clearly, the issues involved in
the present campaign.
The question at issue is not new
one, Sir Wilfred asserts. reciprocal re-
'lations, with the United States having
been sought by both parties for over
half a century. The enactment Of the
agreement, the Premier predicts,
would further improve the friendly re
latfons existing between Great Brit
ain, Canada and the United States,
pnd would be an important factor in
arbitration.
'tAt oil times during the past forty
years" says Sir Wilfred, ''it has been
the constant effort of all political par
ties in Canada to make with the I'M
ted States an arrangement for the free
exchange. of natural products between
the two countries.
Scores Conservative Element
aThe present Conservative party in
parliament seeks absolutely to reverse
the lifelong policy OF its great lead
ers of the past declaring that II will
oppose 'tottIe bitter end the very prin-
ciples epunclated by both Sir John A.
Mcdonald and Sir John Thompson in
tha last eleeti6Il ltreBs es, llipSn
Which each Of these statesmen ever
appealed to the Canadian people.
mot content to debate this rrOposi-
ton until Its merits, the Conservative
party in the House of Commons has
adopted a system of organized and
ayowed Obstruction to prevent any
vote being taken in Parliament by
which the opinion of your representa-
tives there could be expressed.
"Day after day when the presiding
officer has tried to put the question
he has geen met with obstruction.
obstruetlons UnWarrantcd
"Such' pretensos are simply clum
sy attempt to give some color 10 un'
warranted and undignilied obstruction
To overcome that obstruction, after q
session which has already lasted eight
months, would mean weeks and
months OF wasted time, and perhaps
in the end the loss for this season to
the Canadian producer Of the free
American market.
an its condition OF things II has
seemed more in accordance with the
dignity of parliament, with the best in
terests of the country as a whole tC
remit the issue to the people them
solves, so that the people may Judge
between the government and the Oppo
sitlon and declare whether they have
changed their mind or whether they
still are in favor Of reciprocity In nat
ural products and whether they vii
or will not have the American market
for the promising crop soon to DO gar
nered in Canada"
Borden Issues Statement
r. L. Borden, opposition leader, iT
statement issued tonight, declare!
That the government apparently "de
cided upon the dissolution Of parila
Ement in n hurry, or oven in panic
as they gave no intimation to the
many members who are accustome,
to spend the weekend with theil
families, and who left Friday, wIthou
the courtesy OF a notice"
"The conservative party welcome!
m appeal upon reciprocity" Mr. Bor
den asserts,
"The President OF the United State!
has mofe than once emphasized the
fact that Cnnada Is at the parting o
the ways. These two ways lead II
very divergent directions. The choice
of the people will be fraught with mo
mentous consequences to the future
destiny OF the country. 1t is right ant
just that they should speak becanst
with them rests the ultimate declslon.'