The record-union., 1891-04-21
ENGLAND,s DILEMMA.

A few days ago the RECORD UNION
gave historical sketch of Newfoundland
from its settlement to the present time, to
make clear the issues between the colo
nists and the home Government. Con-
sideration Of these issues impressed the
reader with the justice of the claims of
the Newfoundland people, and inquiry
into their character and their fitness to
carry on a struggle with England
strengthens the thought that, after all,
the mother country may not be able, if it
comes to a revolt, to hold the colony.
We have thought that the naval
strength of England would enable her TO
subdue the colonists, and it is true that
she could destroy their towns, quarter
soldiery upon them, and prevent New
foundland interference with the French
shore. But that done, Newfoundland will
be far from conquered, and England will
have gained nothing. She will have
impoverished a group of her own people,
have destroyed the Newfoundland trade,
and have gone to enormous expense only
to maintain French claims.
But no military power can compel the
Newfoundland fishermen to catch and
sell bait to the French, nor can England
afford to admit the French to the bait
grounds TO catch for themselves. The
home Government is placed, therefore, in
q very trying position. 1t must choose
between Newfoundland Interpretation Of
the treaty with France, and the liability
of war with the latter, with whom it may
well be considered doubtful if she could
cope with assurance of success.
1t looks, therefore, very much as if the
Observation-Disclosures have the best ofthe sit
nation. They can carry on long struggle
and can only be reduced to subsection by
cruelty of arms that England viii
not venture to even contemplate against
her own in behalf of a people for whom
the English have no love. The time has
gone by when such policy as she sought
TO enforce in the American colonies in the
last century will be possible in New
foundland or in any other colony. On
the principle that the right arms its
champion Newfoundland will have the
sympathy of so large a body of English
that the home Government would not be
able to maintain itself in any severe
measures against the islanders in favor of
the French.
The colonists contend that they hold
the situation; and that the latch-string to
Canadian entrances is in their hands.
They insist that if France should attempt
to enforce her claims and England should
support her, the fisheries of the United
States and of Canada would be so serious
ly impaired that both countries would pro-
test and back it up with force. This is bare
1y possible. At any rate, our sympathies
are with Newfoundland, and it is by no
means unlikely that if she asked for aid
she would receive it from the United
States in material, though not in an
official, form.
Premier Whiteway, a man of political
sagacity, maintains this position, and
Bond, Winter and Monrove, his chief
leaders in the movement against the
French, are entirely confident that the
United States would be drawn into an
armed conflict. These men exercise a
powerful influence in the island; they are
statesmen, far-seeing and courageous,
and behind them is the entire English
speaking population of the island-in-
deed, there is no revolutionary instance of
such unanimity among d people; for
practically there is not a home Govern
ment sympathizer upon the island to-
day. There is all the dash and yigor and
determination in these Newfoundlanders
that was manifest in the American
patriots in our war with the mother
country. These island revolutionists are
of Celtic and Saxon blood: they have the
sturdy strength, the inflexibility of pur-
pose and the boldness characteristic of
heir progenitors. Until recently we had
believed them 10 be supine and nerve
iess, crushed under hundred years of
deprivation of their right TO develop
their country, but within the last few
months they have proved that the pure
metal of patriotism is in them, and though
mere handful Of resolute people, they
Gre not afraid fo beard one of the first