products from this country to the other. Indeed, the very reverse would be the natural consequence, for the experience of all ages abundantly testifies that trade is ever the most potent agency of peace, amity, and mutual respect between nations.

Nor is that all. This Agreement, which in no way impairs our fiscal policy, which still maintains at topmast the proud principle of British Preference this Agreement, by opening new avenues of trade hitherto closed, would further improve the friendly relations which now happily exist between this country and the Mother-country on the one hand and the American Republic on the other, and which it is hoped may at no distant day eventuate into a general treaty of arbitration, the effect of which would be to remove for ever all possibilities of war between the great Empire of which we are proud to form part and the great nation which we are proud to have as neighbours.

The Conservative outlook at this time was distinctly hopeful. Mr. Borden had returned from his Western trip feeling that at least some impression had been made in the stronghold of Reciprocity. The analytical side of his press claimed that Nationalism in Quebec was active, influential and, while confusing the general situation, would certainly hurt the Government considerably in that Province; that the Imperialist thought of Canada was greatly antagonized and the Premier's attitude at the Imperial Conference unpopular; that industrial communities everywhere were stirred up and fearful of some unknown but vaguely feared danger to their interests; that the Government was weaker in all the Provinces than at any time since it assumed office. Upon the news of Dissolution the Opposition Leader issued a Manifesto but it was only a sort of introductory comment; a preliminary to the strong appeal and keen arraignment of Reciprocity which he afterwards published.

In this document of July 30 Mr. Borden described the Elections as a great surprise to the Liberal party in general and as apparently decided upon in a hurry or panic; charged the Government with having dissolved the House without prorogation, without supplies and without a redistribution of seats; pointed to his own speech of Mch. 8 urging them to bring in a Redistribution, give every part of the country its proper representation after the recent Census, and then refer the question of Reciprocity to the people; declared that from a constitutional point of view there should be no dissolution without supplies and stated that the Opposition had proved their readiness to grant what was necessary for a reasonable period; denounced the Government for having by this sudden appeal to the country burked the proceedings of the Committee of Inquiry into the charges made against Hon. Mr. Oliver by D. McGillicuddy and the Toronto Telegram. He very briefly touched the vital issue of the contest as follows: "The Conservative Party welcomes an appeal to the people upon the great issue which has been under discussion in Parliament. The President of the United States has more than once emphasized the fact that Canada is to-day at the parting of the ways. These

two ways lead in very divergent directions. The choice of the people will be fraught with momentous consequences to the future destiny of this country. It is right and just that they should speak, because with them rests the ultimate decision."

Following this declaration the Ontario part of the campaign was put into the hands of Hon. Frank Cochrane, Provincial Minister of Lands and Mines, assisted by J. S. Carstairs as Secretary; the Anti-Reciprocity Leagues in Montreal and Toronto redoubled their efforts, and a campaign of speech-making was arranged for Mr. Borden, the Hon. Clifford Sifton, Mr. W. T. White and other Conservative or Liberal opponents of Reciprocity. The Hon. Robert Rogers took charge of the Manitoba campaign with a general supervision of all Canadian arrangements while Mr. Premier McBride commenced a speaking-tour of British Columbia; Mr. J. D. Hazen, Premier of New Brunswick, Mr. R. B. Bennett, K.C., in Alberta and Mr. F. W. G. Haultain, K.C., in Saskatchewan announced their active aid to Mr. Borden and his cause.

It may be added here that the standing of the Parties in the House at dissolution included 36 Liberals and 50 Conservatives from Ontario, 54 Liberals and 11 Conservatives from Quebec, 11 Liberals and 2 Conservatives from New Brunswick, 12 Liberals and 6 Conservatives from Nova Scotia, 3 Liberals and 1 Conservative from Prince Edward Island, 2 Liberals and 8 Conservatives from Manitoba, 2 Liberals and 5 Conservatives from British Columbia, 9 Liberals and 1 Conservative from Saskatchewan, 4 Liberals and 3 Conservatives from Alberta and 1 Liberal from the Yukon. The Government majority was, therefore, 47 and, to gain a bare majority of the House the Conservatives had to win 25 seats. Where, asked the Liberal press, were they going to get them? The Globe declared on Aug. 5th that the Liberals would come into Ontario with a majority of at least 33 and a clear Liberal majority in Ontario was to be also expected.

Sir Wilfrid
Laurier's

Of the Prime Minister as he entered upon this eventful campaign much was written. His embodiSpeeches in ment of Party principles and absolute control of its the Campaign policy; his personal aloofness from the mass of party workers or of Canadians as a whole; his self-repression and self-control, his personal graces and effective work upon the political platform; his mastership in the world of phrase-making and oratorical appeal; his alleged opportunism, undoubted diplomacy and obvious good luck, were subjects of frequent analysis in the press and on the forum. Following his Address to the People, of July 29th, Sir Wilfrid opened the campaign at Simcoe on Aug. 15th with the statement that Sir John Macdonald had been "the Moses of Reciprocity who failed to reach the Promised Land; he would be the Joshua who would lead the people of Canada to the goal." There was an immense out-door gathering,

largely farmers, and a strong personal appeal was made: "I am again in the battle, devoutly thanking Providence that my life has been spared and my health preserved to the present occasion; that it may be my privilege to see the completion of this great and longlooked for policy of freer trade between our Dominion and the great Republic to the south; this policy which, it is well known, has received the endorsation, commendation and active support of all public men who have been at the helm in Canada." The speaker declared that if the farmers were to be benefited by this policy all sections of the community would benefit because agriculture was at the foundation of Canada's prosperity. As to Annexation he repudiated all thought of danger. "If I were privileged to address an American audience I would tell them: We want to trade with you but if the price we are to pay for it is the sacrifice of our manhood, keep your trade, we will have none of it.'"

Sir Wilfrid declared the expressed fear of favoured-nation competition to be ridiculous. The trade with the 12 countries was analyzed as totalling less than $10,000,000 and including imports such as rice, laces, ladies' blouses, fruits, almonds, and wine. Would this trade hurt the farmer? He quoted the Imperial Conference Resolution, asking for abrogation of these Treaties by the Imperial Government, which had been passed. "The British Government, upon our complaint, is ready to enter upon negotiations in order to remove us from the operation of these Treaties.* Much stress was laid by the Premier upon the point of better relations with the United States. "This Agreement constitutes a bond of peace and harmony, of friendship, between the two nations. It insures that there shall be and remain a bond of mutual respect between them. We have seen the dawn of a new era. Better and nobler sentiments prevail. We have learned, perhaps in spite of ourselves, that blood is thicker than water." A warm tribute was paid to the late John Charlton-so many years Member for Norfolk.

From this meeting Sir Wilfrid passed into Quebec and spoke at Three Rivers on Aug. 17th, Quebec on the 18th, St. Julienne on the 21st, St. Eustache and Ahuntsic on the 22nd, Sorel on the 23rd, St. Jerome on the 24th, Farnham on the 25th, and Valleyfield on the 26th. Much attention was naturally given at these gatherings to the Nationalists. At Three Rivers 10,000 people assembled and Dr. H. S. Béland, the new Postmaster-General, made a most successful speech. Sir Wilfrid vigorously denounced opposing elements in the contest. "Bourassa was once a Liberal and is now a Conservative. I know that he would protest against and deny such a statement but I can prove it by the proverb 'tell

NOTE.-Action was duly taken in London, and at the beginning of 1912 it was announced that only one country had consented to re-open these arrangements.

me who your friends are and I will tell you what you are '-the friends of Bourassa are the Conservatives of Ontario. He tells you that he must overthrow Laurier, but I tell you that he and the Nationalists are not able to do it. He is obliged to make an alliance with the Tories, the Jingoes, and all other re-actionary elements of Ontario and the other English provinces. Dr. Béland has spoken to you of a conspiracy between Monk and Borden and I tell you that it is a fact. Mr. Borden wishes to overthrow me because my Navy will, they say, be useless to England; Monk and Bourassa want to overthrow me because of having created a Navy at all."*

war'?"

An eloquent expression of British loyalty was made: "The security of the Province of Quebec lies under the British flag. The day when England's supremacy on the seas is threatened, the privileges of the French-Canadians and Catholics of Quebec will be threatened. The day when England's supremacy is destroyed your national and religious privileges will be endangered. Who is the man in this country who wants to be separated from England? And if the supremacy of England is threatened who is the French-Canadian who will say: 'No, I will not participate in the At Quebec the Premier pointed out the necessity of a small armed force in such a country as Canada, denounced the Naval conscription stories as lies, stated that the new Navy would not cost more than $3,000,000 a year, described the prosperity of Canada as due to the Government's efforts, and stated the dissolution of Parliament to be due to their desire to enter into closer trade relationship with the American Republic. Dr. Béland followed with a warning. "I tell you," he said, "that if you defeat Laurier and put Borden into power you will have to swallow a larger Navy and one which will be an Imperial Navy." Sir Lomer Gouin, the Provincial Premier, also spoke and declared that the farmers and settlers in the newer regions of Quebec needed Reciprocity in order that they might be able to reach the markets of the United States with their products.

The St. Julienne speech was notable for one of the Premier's Scriptural references: "The Liberal Government is like the Kingdom of Heaven, 'Ask and you will receive.' When St. Donat asks for a railway extension from Rawdon I say 'Ask and you will receive.' This railway should be constructed to put Montreal in communication with the Transcontinental." As to the Tariff duties he clearly proclaimed the producer as paying them. you ship to the United States you will have to encounter the customs duties. On hay you will pay $4 a ton; on straw $1 a ton; on horses 25 per cent. of their values; on lambs 65 cents a head; on sheep $1.50 a head. We have arranged that all these products will enter free into the United States." The Hon. R. Lemieux

NOTE.-Montreal Herald (Lib.) report.

"If

also spoke and, after a strong attack upon the Nationalist position and defence of the Government's Naval policy, said: “If the flag is threatened and England's supremacy endangered, who would hesitate to go to the help of the flag which stands for right, justice, tolerance and liberty?"

At St. Eustache the Premier repeated his old-time phrase: “I am neither an Imperialist nor an anti-Imperialist. I am a Canadian first, last, and always." He commented sarcastically upon what he termed the Bourassa-Borden-Monk-Sifton alliance. "What a salad!" he observed, amid laughter. Messrs. Monk and Bourassa were, respectively, the oil and vinegar and Mr. Borden had to eat it. "A vote for Bourassa is a vote for Borden and a $25,000,000 contribution to England, a tribute to be paid into the strong boxes of London." The Laurier programme was one of a Navy under the control of the Canadian Parliament. "We will protect the English flag when we are needed, but not mechanically, and will do so believing it to be our duty to protect the flag of liberty." To 5,000 people at Sorel the Premier presented the argument as to hay. "It sells at $13 a ton in Montreal and $20 in Boston. You have a fine hay crop in Richelieu. If you send it to Boston and sell it for $20 you will have to pay $3 or $4 freight and $4 customs duties. But remove that $4 duty and you put the $4 in your pocket." He thought it was not the manufacturers chiefly who opposed Reciprocity. "It was the Jingoes of England and Canada. What are Jingoes? Castors of England and the English Provinces of Canada, a small body who wish British countries to trade only with one another and to exclude others; while the object of the Liberals is to trade with British countries, but also to trade with other countries, with France with whom we have a treaty and with the United States, for which purpose we are making the Reciprocity convention."

At St. Jerome, Sir Wilfrid declared that "all the signs point to a greater majority this election than ever. I feel that justice and truth will triumph again." According to all the press reports he also made this announcement: "If I were fifty years of age or even sixty I might begin the struggle over again as Chief of the Opposition. But if another is chosen as head of the Government I will then retire to the rest which I believe I have earned." The feature of these meetings was the freshness and vigour and optimism of the Prime Minister-then on the threshold of 70; the fact that there was obvious but restrained opposition present in many cases; the decorated streets and the occasionally conspicuous place of the Stars and Stripe-as at Sorel; the help of Hon. R. Lemieux as a speaker at most of the gatherings.

Sir Wilfrid was at St. John, N.B., on Aug. 28th where he was given a torch-light procession and a splendid reception. To him the St. John Telegraph gave a ringing welcome. "Canada has had no leader who was Sir Wilfrid's peer, no statesman whose