New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-04-28

CANADIAN IRRITIBiLITf.

Il u
The debate in the Ottawa Parliament on the
Behrng sea question reveals the growing sliIit
81 Impotence over Canada's dependent posi-
ton. Mr. PriorS speech was vehement pro-
test against the nacton Of the Imperial TOW
eminent and its neglect TO protect CANADIAN
.oolers by sending a war vessel to the Aleutlan
Islands. Mr.. Davies went further lie de-
clared that outrages in those waters would &C
cur so long a. the Dominion was unppreseDted
at Washington. He despaired OF receiving
effective support from the British Foreign
Office. and contended that Canada rRIst be
armed with power To make her own trtqtfcs
Sir Richard cartwright lent his political au-
thorty to these circumstances against British
diplomacy lie demanded the establishment Of
a permanent Canadian agency in Washington
which could present grievances and force
settlement Of all pending questions Of interna-
tional right. Such recommendations would not
have been made if the Democratic Admnlstrl'
ton had remained in power. Canada did not
require a diplomatic agency in Washington
when Secretary Bayard was in the State De-
Dartmcnt and when the Treasury Department
was granting as gratuitics privileges OF enor-
nous value to the Canadian Pacific. Times
have changed since the Cleveland 'AdminiStra-
tion Systematically substituted CANADIAN and
British policy for American diplomacy.
Sir John Macdonald, being the responsible
head Of the Canadian Government, could not
ioin in this Opposition revolt against the re-
straints OF the Imperial connection. lie could
only take refuge in comfortable optimism
and express unlimited confidence i'll the good
Offices Of the new British Minister. Sir Jnllah
pauncefOte. He probably felt that the CANADIAN
Parliament had gone far enough in asserting
its independence Of the Mother State when II
passed the Weldon Act and established Sepa-
rate code of eXtradition law He was Willing
TO wait until no could find out how England
would regard that radical departure from the
lines of colonial independence. The OppoSl-
ton leaders would have been more prudent II
they had been equally reticent and cautious.
The right to DO represented directly Mt Wash
ington and 10 make treaties with foreign "oV-
crnmcnts is one that can only be exercised ny
an Independent nation. Apparently the LID
eral Opposition is rapidly drifting from the
mornings Of the British Empire. 1t is openly
advocating tho complete separation OF the DO
minion from the authority Of the Crown. This
movement in favor Of independent nationality
is one in which Americans can hardly lall %
take a lively interest. 1t is question OF mo-
mcntou Importance to them, for when the
bcndS connecting the Provinces with the I'm
pirc arc severed, it is extremely doubtful II
their annexation to the Union can be foreStaIled
or prevented.
These Canadian Jingocs were most unjust
in their cOntemptuous references to secretary
Blaine and the Republican Administration. Inc
proclamation issued by President Harrison re-
spectine Behring Sea was rendered necessary
By the recent action of Congress ana WAS
strictly in accord with the Revised Statutes ana
the Treaty of Cession. The Administration is
! enforcing the legislative DEGREES OF the last
ossion and the laws of the Union. 1t Is as
imbecile as it is insulting for Canadian menu
hers 10 refer to Secretary Blaine as wnnns q
PROCLAMATION in .he interest OF monopoliSts ana
n the dictation Of lobbyists The Administra-
tin is simply doing it's plain duty.