The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1892-04-06

marked out for 10. which is certainly the
lowest 1t should be content to assume.
A Tory View of the Canadian Situation.
The Montreal Star. which regards the late
Sir JOHN MACDONALD as master mind.
and deplorcs the absence OF any statesman
fit to take his place. reviews in spirit Of
extreme dependency the existing Cana
dian situation. It admits that the present
state OF things is scarcely endurabe, and
that 1t Is fast becoming worse; while Of the
several modes OF exit that which 1t prefers.
close commercial and political alliance
with Great Britain. Is recognized as perhaps
quito impractlcable.
The financial condition Of Canada Is de-
picted in gloomy colors by this Conservative
newspaper. 1t Is pointed out that the Do
minion Government owes $3.50. 000. 900. In ad-
diton to which the taxpayers nre burdened
with heavy provincial and municipal debts.
Every kind OF Indebtedness is increasing.
Thus. although 1t Is said that the Dominion
estimates for the coming year display
marks Of economy. the expenditure still ex-
cccds the revenue. II wo turn to the pro-
vincial administrations, we find that every
where except in Ontario. deficits are report
ed. and considerable amounts are annually
added to the provincial debts The Star
perceives the mischevous effect Of such
constantly augmented indebtedness upon
national stability, and agrees with ME
GOODWIN SMITH in affirming that II the de-
mand Of the provincial Governments for
subsidies from the Dominion exchequer
continues. the Canadian question may be
settled by finance.
It Is further acknowledged that the last
Dominion census has extingushed the idea
that immigration was improving the pros
poets Of the future. The belief Is no longer
tenable that Canada Is annually absorb
ing considerable number Of useful immi-
grants who will fill on the farms the
places Of those who have removed to cities
or left the country. 1t Is now known that
as regards immigration Canada has simply
been acting US sieve for the Americans
and, what Is worse. has been sending her
own native-born young men to the United
States. The Star estimates that there are
nov south Of the border million adult Ca
nadians and half million OF their children.
There is not. therefore. the slightest foun-
dalton for the assumption that the taxpay-
increase proportionably with the increasing
burdens laid upon 1t.
To get upon firmer ground is pronounced
the urgent need of Canada. Yet there are
only three things for the Canadians to do:
namely. to stay where they are. to take one
OF several roads to Washington. or to turn
to Great Britain. The Star sees plainly
that Canadian independence belongs to the
second category Of remedies: it would be
annexation by laughing gas. On the other
hand. to stand still would be to die Of over
taxation. The third path OF escape. which
is naturally advocated by the Star. would
lead Canadians to q close commercial
alliance with Great Britain. But no COM
mercial combination with the mother coun-
try would afford any financial relief to
Canada. unless Canadian breadstuffs were
admitted to British markets free while
duties were imposed on competitive prod
ucts from other countries. But even on
this subject the Star has no illusions. It
foresees that the British Democracy. which
will soon be In power at Westminster. will
never shut out the commerce Of the world
for the sake Of the Dominion: will never
give the Canadians the monopoly Of
market OF forty million consumers in
exchange for q market Of five mil
lions. What possible incentive. then. can
the Canadians offer to the British Democ-
racy to assume weightier responsibilities
for Canada than England Is now willing to
accept? The truth Is. as the Star evil
IDENTIFY sees. though it naturally silrinks
from admitting 1t. that with the expulsion
Of the aristocratic and plutocratic classes
from political power in England. the reten-
ton Of Canada will become matter OF COM
plete indifference to the mother country.
However loudly and efrusively the Cana
dams may continue to talk OF loyalty. after
the British Democrats have strangled the
House of Lords and begun 10 starve the
monarchy. they will evoke no answering
professions Of devotion on the other side.
and the Dominion will sink rapidly into a
condition Of complete practical indepen-
dence. which. as the Star confesses. will mean
annexation by laughing gas.