The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1911-08-07
RECIPROCITY
CAMPAIGN ON
IN CANADA
Fright Waged by Factions Recover
ing From Surprise of Dissolv-
ing of Parliament.
GOVERNMENT CONFIDENT
OF VICTORY FOR TREATY
Premier and Naval Policy Issues
Also in Election That May
Hurt Reciprocity.

OTTAWA. Ont, Aug. 6.-Readiust.
ment of political plans and prepara.
uon Tor the campaign throughout the
Dominion. involving reciprocity with
the United States. have characterized
'he past week. when the Laurier sov-
ernment daZed most OF its. own fol.
lowers and the opposition by the sud-
den dissolution of parliament. The
extent OF the surprise is indicated by
the fact that few members were ready
TO leaVe for their constituencies to
seek reelection, and the last groups
are now leaving Ottawa Meanwhile
tons or printed matter have been put
INTO the mails. the franking privilege
having been extended one week.
Little election machinery is i'm run.
hihs order. This is because the con-
test mas been precipitated a year be-
iore It's normal time. Nominating
conventions. however. are scheduled
ana the naming OF candidates will be
completed in month Both party
leaders Will be well started on their
speech-making tours by that time.
IL IS the evident purpose of the on
ponents OF reciprocity 10 ignore and
10 divert attention from IL as much
as possible But the government and
Its supporters Will insist that I'm tho
election six weeks from now every
ballot for candidate shall be. NOR
ally. II not politically. a decision
whether there shall be reciprocity
with the United States. In so de-
clding the people viii determine
whether Sir Wilfrid Laurier shall con-
tinue TO be prime minister or whether
he shall be replaced by II. l.. Borden.
the opposition leader.
Predict Reciprocity Victory.
prominent members of tho govern
ment express increased confidence
that after the first week OF pulse feel
ing. FAR and near, the new parliament
TO be opened in October by the new
governor general. the duke Of Con.
naught, will be so constituted by the
election results as TO be able to mako
It's initial act the ratification OF the
reciprocity agreement The opposi-
tion forces. on the contrary. assert
that the crest OF a tidal wave OF anti.
reciprocity sentiment has been sight
ed. and that after IL has rolled across
the map resultant conservative and
French Nationalist majority I'm the
new parliament viii kill the pact by
leaving II in its present condition
ratified at Washington. but not at
Ottawa
To end reciprocity. tho opposition
VIII have 10 return with twenty-five
more members than they now have.
nat would give them a majority OF
hNe IN the house. But as one OF these
would have 10 be elected speaker. the
working majority would be but four.
To-day the administration majority
is forty-hve
How Country Is Divided.
The governments principal strength
Hest east OF Ontario. Its supporters
from that portion OF Canada number
~. while the opposition has but 2I.
The part OF the Dominion comprised
by Ontario and the provinces 10 the
west. the parties are more evenly di.
vided. there being 81 opposition and
6f government members
President Taft is almost as great a
personality as Sir Wilfrid Laurier in
the present campaign. The views OF
Champ Clark and other American
champions Of reciprocity also will fig
ure largely In the spcech-making aA
viii the opinion of British statesmen
relatively 90 the eject reciprocity
would have on British tarin reform
and imperial preference
Reject Annexation Bogey.
Despite impish cartoons and face
tous speeches 10 tho contrary. the
annexation boEoy s hardly alive But
the opposition will probably renew
It's efforts TO convince the people that
reciprocity really means parting OF
the ways" with that phrase variously
Interpreted
Tho tendency Of the opposition. after
forcing an election on reciprocity. 10
depart from discussion Of that issue
and to got the people thinking OF
other things which it holds are dis.
croditahlc 20 tho g0vcrrmcnt. is cspe-
cially noticeable in tho wcst
Tn Quebec likewise. which is LARGELY
French. opponents Of tho government
are again bitterly attacking the un-
popular naval policy of the Laurler
tcontinusd on sirth Pagcl