Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1888-12-14
THE ANNEXATION OF CANADA.
Some Pertinent Inquiries to be Answered
Before 1t Is Seriously Attempted.

Prom the Manchester IN. r., Union.
Among the great questions, principally great
ct the present time on account of the ponder
Gus scheme embraced in it, is the talk that is
being made about the annexation Of Canada to
the United States. Every one will admit the
magnitude Of the proposition that will bring
under one government substantially the entire
continent of North America, and men in gen.
eral will agree that physically considered,
| such q union might be advantageous and de-
srable. But most men, before they grow too
enthusiastic, will ask how this great union is
to be accomplished, and will repeat the old
saying, ''It takes two to make bargain"
They win also be likely to stop and count the
cost, and inquire whether the great debt Of
Canada is to be assumed, ard whether we are
to obtain the Dominion by purchase. treaty,
or conquest. Few people stop to consider
the size of the Canadian territory or
take the time to estimate the area Of
the United States, if such q union were
perfected. With the addition of Canada. we
should embrace territory unparalleled in
history, comprising an area of 1850, 700 square
miles. Beside this, Russia in Europe would
appear small with only 2,095. 504 miles, while
Great Britain and Ireland, with an area of only
120, 879 miles, would be comparatively insig-
nificant. From these figures it will be seen
that the proposed union would be not of some
| insignificant dependency, but the taking of a
territory larger than our own. According to
Erastus Wiman. an enthusiastic Canadian in
New York, who has the highest hopes for the
future OF that portion Of the continent, Canada
is much larger than the United States and has
a million acres of the finest land in the world
awaiting the settler. He says: 1.-THE area of
Canada is 600 square miles, and that of
the United States excluding Alaska. 5000, 900
square miles. Take the province of Ontario
alone. 1t is larger than the states of Ohio,
Irdro vsrO -. NM
miles; larger than Iowa, Minnesota, and Wis
consln by II 900 square miles; larger than the
six New England states with New York. New
Jersey, Pennsylvania and Maryland by $4,000
square miles. and larger than Great Britain
and Ireland by $4,000 square miles. Ontario. in
short is only 1000 square miles less in areat han
the French republic. and only g., 900 less than the
German empire. 1t is one of the most fertile
countries in the world.
Leading among the advocates Of annexation
is Senator Sherman, who ventures the opinion
that the country is ready for a discussion of the
question, and thinks that the most hopeful
view of it is in the fact that it is neither po-
htical nor sectional issue. In recent inter-
view he discusses the question at some length.
and dwells upon the immediate advantages of
the union to the Canadians and the final good
results to the United States. The Senator con-
siders the addition to our debt of three hun
dred millions ga mere bagatelle," as at the
same time we would not only add five hundred
niiIions W our tdAaule properly, out acquire
extensive and valuable public works, whose
title is now in the dominion government-rail-
roads, canals, public buildings, and fortifica-
tions. Just how the trade is to be made Sena-
tor Sherman does not explain, neither does he
make it plain that Canada desires such union.
We have not, as people, been agitated over
the question of annexation to any extent in re-
cent years, and perhaps the talk will do good,
but just how the thing is to assume any more
serious phase than talk does not in the imme-
diate. future, appear plain. When Canada
knocks at the door and asks to come to US, and
shows how she can be annexed without dis
turbing our relations with the powers of the
world, the American people will meet the ques-
ton. A conservative view would make the re-
quest come from her, and until that time. we,
people, could wait content with our lot
under the best government on earth.