New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1871-07-04
THE NEW DOMINION.
IMMENSE FIRES IN THE wOODs-HOUSES AND
CROPS DESTROYED.

THE NEW DOMINION.
IMMENSE FIRES IN THE wOODs-HOUsES AND
CROPS DESTROYED.
PORT ELGIN, July 3.-Fires have been
raging since Friday, for distance Of so miles, around
this section Great numbers of houses, and large
amount OF crops have been destroyed. The village itself
was saved by change of wind.
OTTAWA, July 3There are large fires In the woods in
this section, and considerable property has been de-
stroyed.
THE CANADIANS AND THE TREATY OF WASHING
INGTON-OPPOsTION OF THE GOVERNMENT
TORONTO, June 26.-FrOm official and in
spred utterances that have been made within the last
two three weeks it is certain that Sir John A. Mac
donald will really double character when the
Canadian Parliament assemblies to consider the Treaty
of Washington. As Joint High Commissioner he will
explain laud and uphold the Treaty Premier Of the
Dominion he will crcise dssect, and denouncc it. He
may succeed in retaining Office by skllfu shfting but
public confidence is shaken by such weahercock states
manship Sir John A. MacdOnads. Even The Montreal
Herald which contained probably the most dispassion
articles upon the Treaty. the acceptance OF which II
strongly urged cannot find terms in which TO express
its of the Canadian Premers conduct Testimony
from this quarter with the more force as The
Herald sunk all local political feeling in order to award
Sir John his share Of the praseit considered TO be
justly due. The religious Daily Witness not
backward in its laudatiOns Of the Commits SION
ers, and, with unusual force, advocated ratification
These two Journals have certainly good open
the walls Of their wrath. Though the Reform party and
the Government are now in their opposition TO the
Treaty, the former-evidently with an eve 10 the cleo
tons take place year-do
deuunCiatiOns Of the leader OF the Ministry In
ticle called forth by the teXtOf Earl Granvlles struc
tons the Commissioners The Globe nterrOgaes aud
soundy berates the Premier while demanding the fur
Their enlightenment promised but not expected, imme-
ETT
standing upon the disputed Interpretation OF me Con
discuss the Fishery question: either 80 as 10 enter
into examination OF the respective rights Of the two
under that treaty and the general law OF ma
10 approach al once the settlement OF the ques-
ton a comprehensive basis" Did Sir John propose
this stepi" asks The Globe "or did Sir John Macd0n-
aid protest against radical an error in diplOmacysO
fatal blunder 1t has proved 10 have been- II was
suggested by his compamonst' And the same journal
continues: He Will DE required most positively and
explicitly in the light these instructions shed upon the
affair." 10 show that ne neltheI ORIGINATED me onel nor
Of proper spirit and energy, allowed II 10 be
carried into the discussions OF me conference II lie
he will stand convicted, beyond excuse, OF me most
fragrant betrayal of the solemn trust rcposed IN him by
the people Of his own country
The strongest plea Sir Johns friends make for him
is the pressure brought 10 bear upon him either 10y the
English COMMITS the Home Government, and
against which he felt himself pOwerle>S In virtue OF
his appointment, 1t is argued he had 10 do as he was
Washington on Imperial business, ana not merely
sink the interests OF his country IN the larger and
important questions of Imperial policy. This in
Johns remarks in the House Of Commons, when Sir
A. T. Gait wished $50 strengthen his hands by an
thUratye declaration of the opinion OF the House
the matter. The selectOnOf Canadian for Commits
then considered sure guarantee That Cana
das interests would receive every consideration, and
Hnp1e as II might interfere with diplomatic arrange
mens In confidence they awaited the4 result and he
hold Sir John is char gcd with the "mOs fragrant be-
travail The Tories are unwilling to carry to its logical
conclusion the charge plea that the Home Govern
compelled the Canadian Commissioner 10 give way
views. The Treaty belnga sacrifice the idea of
coer
Canadian, with the colonial policy OF the empire. That
feeling is more widely spread than they would to
admit As Mr.. Blake, 4 Reform leader, remarked some
time ago, the existing anomalles-ln the relations be
tween the Empire and the ColOnes-as long az they
were theoretical did not trouble practical men; but they
have obviously become practical, ana demand iinne-
d c and careful considerations from which the speaker
went on urge the great importance OF arOusng the
ucOUle of England TO the necessity Of thorough rcOT
uiLatOu of tie Empire and the Colonies. Mr. Blake
Favored Imperial FEDERATION ~ preventive OF both
separation and annexation. Imperial confederation Is
for the evils Of which the Canadians now complain.
The comments OF the English press upon the attitude
OF Canada nave received and of these the articles
u Fhe Times their share of rdcue aud con
dcmnatOn The Thunderer'- Impression that free trade
theories are RAPIDLY gaining ground the United states
and that therefore the Canadians should not attach
much importance 10 reciprocity, Is characterized az
form of counsel that can only excite ridcule," and
The Times is adiured remember that "a settlement of
AngO-AmcTcan differences long ago would have been ar
easier IT, indeed the most serious among them had
civil war, the notorious - letters and the leading ar
tices A. mn of Ignorance as OF scorn and contempt with
which sought TO goad the Americans in the night OF
their great struggle" In far concerns the discus
sion between The Times and the Canadians, the latter
will naturally have the sympathy and support Of their
the border, though the leading organ
may again turn lts back upon ITSELF as 1t has often done
before and take directly opposite view Of the question
The public discussion OF the Treaty has become more
thickly inteispeised with personalities. An elaborate
speech article showing that the arrangement really
will be the sacrifice asserted has DOtEet appeared The
ns-ertiOn, however Is very widely accepted Sir John A.
Macdonald has been denounced the Benedict Arnold,
fc itrayer ~ bis country hiding and skulkng, afraid
O show his face let his he heard until the ran
cation Of the Treaty. aud the pressure from abroad
te0TadatOn Of their position" These were the remarks
,f M j. d. Edgar, Toronto barrlEtcf, and Secretary OF
Inc Reform Association, at demonstration on Friday
last I'M the County ~ Monk, where Mr.. Edgar was an
unsuccessful candidate for legislative lOnOrs. Mr. Ed
car came % the conclusion that sir John was either
nied by Earl de Grey bought by the expectation OF
more ribbons and titles ,
The sneaker alluded Indignantly to the Of The
Times al false sentiment OF national PRIDE ana as
.crtcd that feeling would demonstrate that Canadian
tblc men were the servants Of their country and not
mere understrappers of Downing Mr. Edgar agreed
with Mcssr MackcnZlg Blake, and others that Cana
liaus ty owed their duty to their country first, duy To
he Empire being a secondary consideration The
Canadian Government may expect rakDg for not send
ne Earl Granville detailed statement, required, OF
he damages caimed on account OF the Fenan raids.
There is naturally strong feeling In the Dominion upon
his matter and the general impression, based upon
me remarks Ministers In the House OF Commons last
session. that full particulars hhd been LAID before
ne British Government, and there considerable IN
iignatOn when reported that no strenuous enOrt
rad been made satisfactory settlement through
hc Joint nigh ComIDissioD. The English government
vac BrEt blamed but the Tide VIII no" Turn against