BEFORE THE BATTLE.

Press, Volume LXVII, Issue 14161, 29 September 1911, Page 7

BEFORE THE BATTLE.

(FQOU OUR OWN COaBESFOJCDENT.i SAX FRANCISCO, September 6. Tno general election in Canada, with reciprocity between the Dominion and the United States as the- eolo issue, is being fought in growing intensity and bitterness, and it is predicted that the biggest vote in the History of Canada will bo cast. Sir Wilfrid Laurier, the Premier, is sweeping through the provinces campaigning tor reciprocity, and in those sections where the policy is popular is receiving unprecedented demonstrations. Although advanced in years, the newspaper despatches stato that ho is displaying unusual vigour, and seems to nave renewed his youth. The feeling that has been injected into •tho campaign is shown by tho fact that Sir Wilfrid Laurier in one of his speeches called Henri Bourassa, a Nationalist leader who has a big following in tho French-Canadian province cf Ontario, a "wilful liar." Bourassa's offence is that he denounced Sir Wilfrid Laurier as '"too imperialistic," and added that the Premier had betrayed Canadian independence to Great Britain by procuring the law for the creation of a navy, which eventually would lead to the conscription of tho young men of Canada. Tho Opposition sliil insists that President Taft has in view the annexation of Canada to tho United States, while Sir Wilfrid Laurier and his followers belittle this claim as ridiculous and beneath contempt. Henry Borden, Leader of the Opposition, said significantly in one of his speeches:—"l don't doubt tho loyalty of tho Canadian people, but if Canada deliberately interlocks her interests , with those of tho United States, she •will he led step by step into conditions •which'all her loyalty could not change. Tho time to withdraw is now, beforo tho threshold is reached."

In the samo spirit tho Montreal "Star" prints a cartoon, one section of which shows the heights of Quebec, against which is posted a 6ign reading: — fell December 31st, 17/5. Hero is" where Uncle Sam lost during one of his former unsuccessful attempts to take Canada and eubduo Canadians at tho point of the bayonet." This sentimental argument seems to bo increasing in effect, but nevertheless the indications are that tho Government will be returned to power and tho reciprocity policy given effect to.