The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1892-06-23
Disafrected British Colonies.

1
ton forecasts. That there has been great
and significant change in the sentiment Of
all the colonies toward the mother country
In recent years is patent fact. In the
larger dependencies. as Canada and Aus
tralia. where great population has grown
up. future apart from that OF the mother
country Is talked Of and the idea accepted
much as Q matter OF course. The smaller
and moro isolated colonies. whose CONNER
cial interests have been subordinated to
their Importance as military or naval posts
have. until recently. taken pride in their
strong and steadfast loyalty to England:
but a remarkable change is taking place.
From a cheerful willingness to endure any
thing and everything for the sake Of the
sentiment OF belonging to the great British
power. the Inhabitants Of these colonies are
becoming more interested In themselves
| and their own welfare than in the glory
Of an empire Of which they are an in
significant part. They are chatting under
the hindrances and restraints imposed by
the necessities Of imperial and European
politics. and by tho demands for conces-
sions to the interests Of British mer-
chant This unrest and dissatisfaction have
become 30 general that, to paraphrase
famous saying. tho complainings OF colo
nists accompany England's drum beat Of
conquest. and. following the sun. circle the
earth with a continuous and unbroken
murmur OF discomfort.
In Jamaica tho coonists are demanding
better treatment under the rallying cry of
Jamaica for the Jamaicans;" and this
demand Is urged through public meet
ings and the colonial press. A branch OF
the West Indian Civil Rights Defence
League has been organized. and this island.
once prominently loyal among the West
Indian colonies. is leading the van in oppo-
sitlon to the Colonial Office and in striv-
ings for more liberty. British Guiana
has entered its protest against the meth
dds by which it Is governed. The Colonial
Secretary having secured the passage OF
some regulations imposing u tax on the
gold mining industry. the colonists urged
that these new enactments. which were to
take effect the first Of June. would paral we
the industry. Public meetings were held. n
message OF protest was cabled to the Colo
NAL Secretary. and. later. deputation OF
colonists have sailed for England to inter
view the Secretary Of State about the way
In which the colony's interests are managed.
The trouble in all the colonies Is that
they are governed either directly as Crown
colonies from the Colonial Office in London.
or indirectly. but none tho less absolutely.
through an official majority in the colonial
legislatures. The official majority is COM
posed OF Government officials sent from
England. who vote as ordered from home.
The unofficial minority is usually composed
of colonists nominated for the position by
the imperial Government. In some cases
they are elected. Thus colonsts who have
emigrated from Great Britain in the desire
for improvement. find that in the colonies
they arc more cramped and hamperod than
at home. Despite its position OF disadvan-
tage. one colony. British Honduras. recent
ly compelled the imperial Government to
grant it majority in thc Legislative Coun-
ell. after fighting the matter for two years,
and causing complete Legislative deadlock
for that period. Its example has been OH
served by other colonies. which now propose
to attain the same end by similar means.
Perhaps in no colony is discomfort and
dissatisfaction so openly and so cmphati-
caiiy expressed as in Hong Kong, one Of the
most important OF Great Brtain's Eastern
outposts. This colony WAS particularly
stirred up recently over the Military Con-
tribution act. passed by the vote OF the
official phn!anx." which exactcd from the
colony 10000 additional for the alleged
purpose OF maintaining an increased gar
rison OF British troops at Hong Kong. As
1t never was INTENDED To send additional
troops to that colony. the contribution was
evidently exacted to help out imperial In
terests elsewhere Although the whole
colony protested against the measure, II
was passed. The report OF the Chair
man tn the Chamber Of Commerce Of
Hong Kong Mt It's last annual meeting was
full Of severe condemnation of various
acts inflicted on the colony by the imperial
Government against the votes OF the I'M
official members. Tho Chamber complains
thnt tho trade Of the port is impaired by
officials appointed from England to manage
1t. men who know absolutely nothing about
the co'onyor its requirements The colo
MES OF Singapore and Ceylon were equally
indignant over the Military Contribution
act. which was also enforced. In proper
tomato degree. on them.
Ihes" cases are only particular instances
OF condition OF affairs prevailing through
ont the colonies. The general complaint Is
expressed most vigorously by the colonial
press. All over tho world the British colo
MES are united in demanding TINT they
Shall have majority representation. ut
least IN thnir local government. and that
the local members shall be elected by popu-
lar vote and not appointed by the imperial
Government. Lord KNuTsFoRD. the pres
ent Colonial Secretary. seems to have been
particularly unfortunate In his adnlinlstra-
tion, and his acts and the acts o! his officers
have stirred up nearly every colony almost
to revolt. beginning with refusal to obey
his orders or tolerate his acts, That the
result of this policy will be q permanent
alienation Of feeling la the colonists toward
the mother country. and that the colonies