The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1885-03-05
The Fralty of Ensland's Colonies.

These are dark days for Englishmen yet
to those who closely watch the sky. this
week has brought CLEAN OF sunshine that
augurs well for the resources and cohesion
OF the British empire. We refer to the tele-
gram announcing the departure OF mill
tary force from Sydney for the Soudan cam
pGign. Tho eagerness eviuced by New
South Wales to bear its part OF the perils
and the burdens OF tho parent State seems to
be fully shared by other Australasan colo
MES and by the Canadian Dominion.
This demonstration Of sincere and effective
sympathy means the reinforcement of Great
Britain by almost ten million souls, or, in
other words. n population about equal to that
contained in England proper when, nearly
century ago, she began her Titanic duel
with tho first NAPOLEON. Tho action Of
hor colonies will not only prove Of great
mud probably decisive importance to tho
mother country in her present and impend-
ing straits, but 1t can hardly fail to strength
en- the hands Of those who advocate a firmly
welded confederation; and the triumph OF
their ideas will In turn hasten the hour when
Irelands longing for homo rule may safely
be gratihed through the trans formation OF
IN ovcrgrown and outgrown monarchy into
u federal republic.
In the struggle between Russia and Great
Britain for ascendancy In Asia, which, as the
recent Incidents on the Afghan frontier indl-
cate. cannot much longer be averted, 1t may
we'll happen that the sword and the gold OF
Australasia and Canada will turn the scale.
For the records OF tho British War Office show
that in 1914, when, as we have said, the mother
country exclusive Of Ireland and Scotland)
had only about as many inhabitants as are
now embraced within the colonies just
named, she had upon her pay roll consider
ably more than half million soldiers. In
view OF that fact, 1t is evident that the Cana
dian Dominion, Australia, and Now Zealand
united could, If the occasion called for a Wig
orous display Of their Abilities contribute a
great army to tho defence OF British India.
The value OF such cooperation would DO
measured not alone by the positive incrc-
ment Of strength. but by tho signal impetus
it would give to recruiting in Great Britain.
Nor can it be denied that should the volun-
tears and tho militia of England and Scot
land become infected with tho fervor shown
in the United States both north and south OF
the Potomac during the civil war, there would
DO no lack OF the material out OF which n
military establishment of the first rank
could promptly DO created. Nor should 1t
be forgotten that, as regards pccuniary re-
sources, the British empire Is n match for the
whole OF continental Europe, whereas Russia
is the poorest OF Christian countries. In
other words, England is of all nations the
most and Russia tho least competent to sus-
tain protractcd war We may add that by q
lavish use OF funds, coupled with an i'm
uOslnu dpnOnSt rat Ion OF hpr own military
power. Great Britain might convert tho
tecming millions OF her Indian empire into
source OF strength rather than weakness.
No one doubts that 10000 British soldiers
under resoluto commander could suppress