The Sun.
London, England, 1865-08-25 00:00:00

tivation of the unsettled portions for ultimate
protection than on any mere defensive works. Such
measures as these could be carried out without cost
or risk to the British Exchequer ; and we trust that
whatever the intermediate means adopted, these
ends will be kept steadily in view. The north-west
territories, which were brought under discussion at
a later period of the conference, are hampered by
the old charter of the Hudson's Bay Company, who
without any right to possession hold a monopoly
which fetters the energies of the colonists, and
sacrifices vast tracts of magnificent land to idleness
and waste. No doubt private interests have tended
to the renewal of this monopoly, but there
is certainly no excuse for the Government
having allowed the present Hudson's Bay
Company to purchase the entire property
of the old company only two years ago. They paid
a million and a half for it, and are not, of course,
likely to abandon their prize very easily. The
colonists, therefore, propose that the whole of the
British territory east of the Rocky Mountains and
north of the American and Canadian lines, should
be made over to Canada, and that any compensa-
tion proved to be justly claimed by the company
should be met by a loan guaranteed by Great Bri-
tain. This short and simple way of settling the
difficulty is undoubtedly the wisest and best course
for the colony, which thus avoids a long and costly
litigation, but the claim of the company will, it is
feared, be wrong. Let this be a warning to our states-
men to be less easily influenced in future to sanction
territorial monopolies. The Reciprocity Treaty and
other points were fully discussed, and it was finally
decided that, if the Canadians undertook the de-
fence of Montreal and the training of their militia,
the Imperial Government would complete the for-
tifications of Quebec, provide the whole armaments,
guarantee the loan required by Canada, and, in
the event of war, undertake the defence of
every part of the colony with all the, re-
sources of the empire. This is no light pledge, and it
is a more powerful protection to Canada than any
forts or armaments. The delay in the confederation
of the provinces rendered it advisable to take no
steps to bring these proposals before the Imperial
and Provincial Legislatures this year; but it
was resolved that if circumstances should ren-
der it advisable for Canada alone to under-
take the works of defence, her application
for the requisite loan would be listened to.
The English Government have met the delegates in
a cordial and friendly spirit, have listened fairly
to their arguments, weighed their statements, and
finally to have promised them as much support and
assistance as they could reasonably expect. The
assurance that the Home Government are prepared
to defend Canada with all its resources was re-
ceived with especial satisfaction by the delegates,
who refer to it in a special clause. They have no
doubt also been able during their visit to ascertain
the sentiments of the people of this country, and will
have gone back cheered and encouraged by the
knowledge that the sympathies and interests of
England are heartily enlisted on the side of her
young and enterprising settlements.

It is really a satisfaction to peruse the comments
which are made in the French papers concerning the
Austro-Prussian Convention. So much has this
matter been hushed up, or made the best of, that it
is quite refreshing to meet with remarks that are real
and earnest, and that deal with the question in the
right manner. The French Press has now spoken
out in a determined style, and aptly characterised
the course of events which has taken place in Ger-
many. The Temps, of last night, in dwelling on
this all-important and engrossing topic, observes
that "it is now no longer a question of nation-
ality, but oppression and confiscation which
authorise every reprisal." What can form a better
description than this of the present aspect of affairs,
and how can the conduct of the two great Powers
be more truly epitomised ? It is in verity a per-
fect system of oppression, and a prolonged
cause of confiscation, which we have to observe
in this Austro-Prussian affair. What can exceed
the extent of the injustice of these German diploma-
tists, and what language can be too strong in which
to stigmatise their conduct ? The Temps goes on
to say very emphatically that, " If LAUENBERG suits
Prussia, a similar point, the Rhine, may suit France ;
and France might appropriate it with equal right."
This is quite an analogous remark, and its just-
ness must strike everybody. In point of fact, all
the other great Continental Powers of Europe might
just as well declare that they require this conces-
sion of territory, or would be glad to possess such
a city or fortress; and what could be urged against
their putting their designs into practice and gratify-
ing their desires to the utmost that may not, with
equal force and propriety, be uttered in respect to
this great appropriation scheme of Prussia, aided
and abetted by Austria.
It is quite an insult to the common sense o

he other nations of Europe that such a manifes

piece of injustice should be planned and put into
execution by the designing States, and it is a great
scandal that in these days of enlightenment and
progression such a retrograde step should be taken.
By sanctioning this usurpation of popular rights,
and trampling on the rights of the subject, the
German Powers have not only forfeited all the
good opinions which they had gained by the adop-
tion of a more liberal policy soms years back,
but they have incurred the lasting contempt
and scorn of all the independent countries.
Wherever honour and justice are reverenced,

there must the mean and selfish, the cowardly
and oppressive course of Prussia be reprobated. It
would have been bad enough had her intentions
been set forth at the outset of this affair of Schles-
wig-Holstein, and the world been allowed to realise
completely the motives and desires which are now
made so patent by this last convention signed at
Gastein. This triumph of craft and consummation
of tyranny was kept secret for a long time after it
had been fully determined upon,, and, trusting to
one influence and another, to the doctrine of chance
and the effect of time, these German despoilers pur-
sued their way, until by tortgous roads they arrived
at their wished-for goal.
They may, however, presume too far in their
supposition that the length of time which they have
taken to mat
matter to drop ure
outth o
fe r schemes has allowed the
d
people's thoughts into
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many who will not be so easily hoodwinked, and
who fully appreciate the consequences of this un-
fortunate transaction. They realise to the utter-
most the evil effects of such wanton spoliation, and
are bewildered by the sophistries of Berlin casuists,

ie wiles of Vienna diplomatists, into belie;

ing that wrong is right, or treachery means
straightforward conduct. It is a very good thing
that the writers of the French press have the sense
and courage to speak out, and to censure in proper
terms the opprobrious course pursued by the Ger-

manic Powers. It is of the utmost consequence
that a fair estimate should be formed of the nature
of the schemes of annexation, and that the real
truth and exact meaning of the conduct of the
allies should be made manifest. Prussia is pur-

suing a very dangerous course, and playing a
game that may yet cost her very dear in thus
ignoring tlie wishes and destroying the opinion of