The sun., 1919-02-17
PARALYSIS STRIKES
WTLFRID LAURIER
Canada's Ex-Premier, Aged 20,
Falls Over When Dressing
in Ottawa Home.
NO IMMEDIATE DANGER
Opposition Leader Did Much
to Foster Trade With the
United States.

OTTAWA, Feb. 16.--Sir wilfrid Laurier,
former Premier of Canada and ~ pres
ent Opposition leader, was stricken with
paralysis in his home here to-day. Al
though his condition was first described
as critical" his secretary declared to-
night that there is not immediate cause
for anxiety"
Sir Wilfrids condition Is not critical
and for the present there is every hope"
said the secretary. HE is conscious and
his heart is beating strongly"
The attending physician issued bull
letin tonight stating that his patient
was in mo immediate danger"
Il do not think there is at present any
cause for grave anxiety. but at Sir
Wilfrid's age such an attack must nee
essar!ly give rise to concern" said the
physician.
The former Premier was strickel. W hen
ing When he was heard to fall 20 the
floor members of the household ran to
his assistance and then summoned a
recovered consciousness
At Canadian Club Luncheon.
Sir Wilfrid attended a luncheon OF the
Canadian Club yesterday. worked In his
office in the afternoon and was said by
his friends TO have shown no sign of
fatigue in connection with his duties as
leader of the Opposition. He has been
extremely busy, however, of late pre-
pairing for the session OF Parliament
which will open Thursday. He was also
engaged in organizing the Ontario Lib
eral conventions.
His latest appearance as public
speaker was at the Eastern Ontario con-
yention here last month, when he de-
livered the chief address
Sir Wilfrld Laurier was Premier OF
the Dominion OF Canada from 1896 to
1911. He is the only French Canadian
who ever held that post
Sir Wilfrid is now in his seventy
eighth year He was born at st. Lin.
Quebec. November 20, 1s4i. He was
graduated from L'Assomption College
and McGill University and was an ac-
tive politician when the Dominion was
formed In 1867. He was opposed to, the
formatio Of the Dominion, but accepted
tie it" iOsaIy anu was
elected TO the Provincial Legislature of
Quebec as a Liberal In 1871.
He Enters Federal Politics.
He resigned in 1874 to enter Federal
Politics as member for Athabaska and
Drummond. forming part Of the Liberal
majority supporting the new Mackenzie
Government. He became a member of
the Cabinet in 1877 as Minister OF In
land Revenue. He was defeated for re-
election by his constituency in 1878. but
was Immediately afterward elected for
the eastern division OF Quebec city
The Conservative victory OF 1878 con-
signed Sir Wilfrid 10 the Opposition for
sixteen years. He became the Liberal
leader in 1887 with the retirement OF
Leader Blake and led his party to VIC
tory In 1896. Sir Wilfrid went to Eng
land in 1897 to Join in Queen Victoria $
diamond jubilee He visited the mother
country in 1903 TO attend the coronation
Of King Edward and again in 1911 to
represent Canada at the coronation Of
King George.
Sir Wilfrid was long a dominant fac
tor In Canada's political life and much
of the country's growth and Increased
trade relations with this country have
been largely credited to his leadership.