RECIPROCITY BILL.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1168, 1 July 1911, Page 5

RECIPROCITY BILL.

FARMERS' OPPOSITION.

By Telegraph—Press Assoc! itlon— Oopyrieht <i- Washington, Jujio 29.

During tho discussions in tho Senate on tho Reciprocity Bill, Senator Borah, an Idaho Republican, denounced President Taft becauso ho had concluded tho reciprocity agreement with Canada without consulting Congress. Ho declared that tho farmers wero tho chief supporters of the Republicans, yet (ho agricultural interests had been basely betrayed. Senator Cummins (Republican) 6nid that President Taft, in making the agreement, did not represent tho Republican principles or party. CANADIAN LOYALTY. (Rec. Juno 30, 10.55 p.m.) Ottawa, June 30. Mr. Borden, Leader of the Canadian Opposition, in tho course of a campaigning speech in the West, retorted to Mr. Taft's assertion that Canada's ties with I the Motherland wero almost impercep- | tiblo, that the Dominion had never boon in closer touch with Britain, and tho links joining both would never bo broken. They need not fear for tho loyalty of Canadinns. Mr. Borden said ho believed that if a general election occurred, a vote against reciprocity was certain. WHAT .THE AMERICANS HOPE FOR. Writing in May of tho prospects of the Reciprocity Bill m Congress, tho Washington correspondent ot "Tho Tiroes" said:— "It is not believed that the opposition of special or local interests will bo able to defeat it. The ranks of tho 'standpatters havo been grievously thinned in Congress. Tho 'farmers' free list' Bill which has been introduced to supplement tho Reciprocity Hill cannot but weaken insurgent opposition. If, as Republicans hope, it too will bo disliked by tho farmers on the ground that it removes tho duties from meats, it can bo amended. But to prophesy about tho fate of either Bill is impossible. All that can bo said is that it is believed that it will pass and that the majority of people hope it will pass— tho ■ man in the street becauso ho hopes it will reduce prices; thinking people both on that score and becauso they believe that tho project is in substantial accord with tho fiscal and political needs of tho country. Of political opposition on bread grounds, such as is manifest in Canada, thero is, indeed, none. "It is felt, on tho contrary, that tho ratification of tho Agreement will bo an important contribution to Pan-American-ism—which, implying as it docs tho commercial and social solidification of tho Western Hemisphere without tho slightest infringement of the political independence of its national units, is to-day perhaps tlio most important item upon the programme of American foreign policies. For, as tho President and Mr. Knox havo repeatedly_ pointed out, there is nothing political in tho Agreement. No responsible American, it may bo repented, took seriously Mr. Champ Clark's light words about tho advantages of a united North America. Few Americans would agrco with that even in theory. Thero is no serious movement in this country for the inclusion Of Canada in (lie Union. The days when such a movement was possible seem to be past. Tho American aspiration is tho closest possible social and commercial relations with Canada. Both countries, it is felt, will thus be benefited, and, by the community of their interests, will strengthen, if it needs strengthening, the link between tho Empire and the United Stales."