The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-07-21
HOPE TAFT WILL
 REVERSE ATTITUDE
Think Statement Against
 Reciprocity Would Help
CANADIAN SENTIMENT
Recent Elections in Western Part of Dominion Indicate People Are Much More Favorable
 to the Plan
By c. E. STEWART


 Washington, July 2o.-(Special) )-Presi- dent Taft has been led to believe. 1t is said. that the only hope for his reelection lies in vigorous fight along old fashion republican lines for a protective tariff. Il is said that the President has been strongly appealed to to shift his position with reference to reciprocity, and come out strong in favor Or the repeal of the reciprocity arrangement with Canada which Canada refused to accept.
 The stand pat republicans. who are the only supporters the President now has and in whose ability to get votes he must depend, are all opposed to the reciprocity agreement and have resorted to every possible method of wiping it from the statute books, but so far without suc- cess. These republicans. 1t is said, have pointed out to the President that by his support of reciprocity he has alienated the support of many farmers in the bor- der states and in the northern agricul- tural states, and that by simply an nouncing that he no longer favors it be- cause it has been rejected by Canada, he will thereby strengthen himself with these voters.
 They are urging the political situa- ton on the President and they think Ii would be good business for him to come squarely out in favor of repeal of reel procity Another large factor enters into the situation, and this is really the i'm portant one so far as the high tariff rep resentatives in Congress are concerned Thnx xrfo tn-ffl dence that Canada is likely to reconsider the reciprocity question.
 The sentiment for reciprocity in west ern Canada is not only strong but ir some of the elections in that part of the Dominion recently, especially in Sas. katchewan, it has been overwhelmingly manifested, to the diseomiiture of the conservatives and the Borden govern ment, which set out to suppress It. This sentiment in western Canada which is a live wire, it is said, is com municating it's effects to eastern Canada and the cause of reciprocity is now said to be stronger than 1t was formerly ir Quebec provinces. The enemies of reel procity in the United States Senate, there fore, who 1t happens are the friends of Taft. made so by the curious fortunes of politics, stand in great fear of this ap- parent reaction in public sentiment that seems to be taking place In the Domn- ion.
 Under such circumstances the high tariff leaders in the Senate and the House are more than anxious to wipe out the reciprocity agreement. They see little hope for 1t. But if they could get Presi- dent Taft, who wants the votes of the high tariff element this fall, and wants them above everything else, to come out for it. they feel that 1t would help and would add to the chances for republican success this fall Even If it did not save the President, so runs the reasoning, it might help to prevent the Senate from being turned over to the democrats, a consummation that is hopefully looked forward to by said democrats.
 The high tariff folks are confronted with this situation: They are utterly op- posed to reciprocity with Canada, and so are the people they represent: but the sentiment in Canada for reciprocity Is growing, and democratic control of the government with the reciprocity act still on the statute books would mean that probably Canada would be allowed a full four years after next March to come ar ound to the proposition which this gov ernment has sanctioned. This is the bug under the chip that is worrying the pro- tectionists in Congress and 1t Is one that they are urging the President to help get rid of.
 The President changing front on the situation, however, would, it is said by democrats, be of little service, for the democratic House will stand firm on tho proposition and there would be little hope of repeating the act It Is said that the President is getting "shaky" on the question, but a change in his position now would be sure to be looked upon purely from the standpoint of political strategy and would have no weight.
 There is little enthusiasm in the ranks of those who support the Presi- dent, and 1t may be that he is over anxious to do something that will arouse bit of cheer. With the news coming from New York that offers of two to one on Wilson can find no talk CTS, and the further drifting apart of the old time republicans and the bull moosers by the indignant rejections, In both camps, of any suggestions of fus- ing by having the same electors in the various states where the split Is likely to turn former republican strongholds over to Wilson, there can be no great amount of glee in administration cir cles.
 The political camp of the President of the United States Is at this time wrapped in three or four layers of dense gloom