New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-05-07
ASQuITH AND GREY REPEL
TORY ATTACKS ON BRYCE
British Ambassador in Washing.
ton Warmly Defended by Min
listers in House of Commons.
INITIATED NO NEGOTIATIONS
did Not Interfere with or Dictate
10 Canadian Ministers-Was
Merely a Passive
Adviser.

London, May 6.-The process OF smoking
out the alleged conspirators who are
charged by their political opponents with
treason in connection with President Taft's
Canadian reciprocity plans was undertaken
IN the House of Commons this afternoon
hv Arthur Shirley Benn. member for Plym-
outh. and Henry Page Croft, member for
Christchurch. both Unionists, who Piled
Premier Asquith with some eleven ques-
lions in regard TO the published correspond
ence between President Taft and Theodore
Roosevelt in the course of which President
Taft used the phrase make Canada an
adjunct Of the United States"
Premier Asquith, who showed resentment
al the attack, sharply repudiated the rehec-
ton cast on James Bryce. British Ambas-
sador at Washington, and said that the
ambassador had In no way influenced the
views or policy of the late Canadian gov
eminent and that as the correspondence
between President Taft and Theodore
Roosevelt was private Mr.. Bryce could not
have had any knowledge whatever of It,
lie said:
L have seen extracts from the CORE
spondence which appears to have passed
between President Taft and Mr.. Roose-
Welt which have been published in the
press. have no further knowledge Of
them than that. as the correspondence was
private. it was obvious that the British
Ambassador could not have mad knowledge
Of it's contents nor have comm nicated
them 20 the British government.
Reflection Repudiated.
II must, in view of these questions, take
the opportunity of repudiatinS emDhatical-
II the reflection on Mr.. Bryce which is
contained in them. Mr.. Bryce had nothing
10 do with the views or policy of the
Canadian government The negotiations
we're initiated and carried on by Canada.
and the British Ambassador, in pursuance
Of his plain duty, saw William 5. Fielding,
the then Finance Minister of canada,
from time 10 time during the conferences
at Washington, in order TO learn anything
that might be needful for him to know.
lie did not interfere with the conferences,
but If asked for advice gave it, and all
British subjects engaged in legitimate and
important business are entitled 10 receive
that from British ambassador.
For Mr.. Bryce TO have interfered with
the negotiations going on at Washington
upon matters which were within Canada's
own competence would have been naturally
resented by Canada. Generally there had
been no difference of opinion in the Do
mtnion about that, whatever may be the
difference between Canadians themselves
regarding reciprocity.
The manner in which Mr.. Bryce has per-
formed his duties has been of great ad-
vantage. inspiring Canada with confidence
in the British Ambassador in Washington,
who will always be prepared 10 support the
present Canadian government no less than
It's predecessors in any negotiations it may
be engaged in with the United States"
The Evening Debate.
In the evening session Henry Page Croft
DECLARING that lie was not satisfied with
the "Premier's statement. moved the ad-
iourrment OF the House 10 consider a
definite matter of urgent public Importance
namely. the action Of the government in
supporting a policy on which the members
Of the House were ill-informed and neglect
on the part Of the government of Imperial
interests The necessary forty members
bsyiDg<risen in their places In support OF
Mr. Crofrs motion, the member for Christ
church went over much the same ground
A. had been trayorsed in the questions pre-
viously asked.
Sir Edward Grey. Foreign Minister. re-
rlviDg 10 Mr.. Croft, warmly defended Am
bsssador Bryce against what he termed an
unfair attack. lie reviewed the reciprocity
negotiations between Canada ana the
United States. which, he said, Mr.. Bryce
neither initiated nor participated IN lie
added that had the amba ssadOr inter
fered or dictated TO the Canadian ministers
his conduct would have been universally
resented I'm Canada. Sir Edward said ne
,orsidoras Mr.. Bryce had rendered the
tigbes, irnperial services and so far as MI
crof,.s attack on the government was CON
ccrned that could safely be left to be fought
out in the country.
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