Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-05-12
NOTFOR ANNEXATION
Roosevelt Explains His Posi-
ton as to Canada.
ANSWERS ENGLISH QUERY
Secretary Says Colonel's Words Have
Been Misinterpreted.
EXPLAINS LETTER TO TAFT
Former President Always Has Been
for "Peace and Harmony"
Dispatch Says.
Special Cablegram to The Star.

Special Cablegram to The Star
LONDON, May 1.-THE Evening News
prints signed dispatch from former
President Roosevelt's secretary, Frank
Harper. in which the colonel undertakes
to explain his attitude toward Canada
and clear up some Of the ambiguous
phrases in his letter to President Taft
regarding Canadian reciprocity.
The dispatch admits that the press of
Canada and Great Britain might have
misinterpreted Mr.. Roosevelt's words,
for both economic and political rea-
sons" when the colonel referred to the
advantages of the reciprocity agreement
and commended the Presidents efforts In
trying to make it law, but declares that
Mr.. Roosevelt had not the slightest
thought in his mind Of the annexation Of
Canada to the United States.
On the other hand. various remarks of
the former President are cited to show
that Mr.. Roosevelt has always done
everything in his power to enable the
continent to live together In peace and
harmony. each according to the other
the fullest measure of respect and esteem.
Text of the Dispatch.
The dispatch follows:
NEW YORK. May 11.-Your telegram
to Mr.. Roosevelt, asking him to send a
message, explaining his attitude toward
Canada has been received. He supposes
the query has arisen because of the pub
LEGATION by Mr.. Taft of Mr. Roosevelts
reply 10 confidential letter from him in
which Mr. Roosevelt stated that he was
In favor of reciprocity in trade matters
with canada, for both economic and
political reasons He believes that the
press generally, both in Great Britain
and Canada. has interpreted the words
political reasons used by him as mean
ing that the annexation Of Canada to the
United States would speedily follow the
contamination of the reciprocity negotia-
ton.
Such an Interpretation is not warrant
ed by the facts. When Mr.. Roosevelt
used the words political reasons he had
not the slightest thought of the annexa-
ton OF Canada or of her subordination In
any way to the United States. II you
Will turn to Mr.. Roosevelts speech of
February 10 last year, at Detroit. Mich
you will see that he stated in effect that
his chief reasons for favoring the course
or Mr.. Taft as he then understood II was
to promote the kindliest and most friend
ly good feeling between the two coun-
tries
Speech in Reciprocity.
I'm that speech Mr.. Roosevelt said: Y
feel that We are to be congratulated unon
the likelihood OF obtaining closer recipro-
city or tariff and trade relations with
Canada. Among all the powers of the
earth there is none with which we should
desire to be upon more intimate foot
Ing of equal rights. to which we should
be more closely oound in relations of
| mutual helpfuness, esteem and good will
than in the case of our great neighbor to
the north. whose prosperity and growth
should be matter of pride to all who
dwell on the American continent. | well
come the proposed reciprocity treaty al
| marking IA signal advance in bringing
about the closest and most friendly re-
| latfons between the two countries
Similar sentiments were also expressed
| by Mr.. Roosevelt when he spoke In New
York city two days later.
Mr.. Roosevelt has always done every-
| thing in his power to enable the two great
nations of the North American continent
| to live together in peace and harmony.
| each according to the other the fullest
| measure of respect and esteem
Specifically, Mr. Roosevelt has ALWAYS
| and on every occasion spoken OF and
| treated Canada a friendly nation. on
whose independence he would not dream
| of encouraging aggression.
FRANK HARPER.
Secretary to Theodore Roosevelt"