The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1892-03-12
Should War Come Between the
Mother Country and the
United States2
The First Lord of the Admiralty
Will Not Assure Canada's
-."" *-@ Course. 5 S
Conviction That Uncle Sans Northern
NeIghbor Would Not He Found
Hostile in That Event.

IoapoN, March 11.~--'The question OF The
dsfenee Of the harbor of Esquimault, Van
couver Island, was raised in the commons
this afternoon and discussed with heat by
Lord George Francis Hamilton. first lord Of
| the admiralty, and several liberal inter-
rogators. Hardly had tho breeze died ont
when the BerinR sea controversy was
brought before tho house by n question ad-
dressed by Edward Temperly Gonrley, an
advanced liberal member from Sunderland
and answered for the government by Jas.
NJ Iowther, under secretary for the for
elgn office. Ferguson, Il liberal from Leth,
asked Lord Hamilton: "Does the site of the
of the navy yard at Esguimnnlt belong to
Canada or the crown? Are any ad-
vances secured to her maiesty's vea-
sells at Esquimault harbor that are not
accorded them in the ports Of the
United States, France, or other civilized
| nations! If garrison be put under orders
of the Canadian government, will the
homo government have any means of a.
suring itself Of the support of the same for
her majesty's fleet in time of WARP If, az
suggested. Canada decides to cast her lot
with the United States and become incor-
porated with that country, would she carry
with her the guns and other portable equip
ment of fortiications?''
The interrogatories were delivered amid
q storm of ordinations and remOn-
frances. The last questions were put in
such way as to suggest that in times OF
war, or threatened war, tho imperial gov
ernment could not rely upon the loyalty OF
Canada. The impression was that the
speaker intended to say Canada had drifted
too far toward the United States to be
trusted to cooperate with her mother coun-
try III case of trouble with the United
States.
Lord Hamilton said: 1.-The site of this
dock yards at Esquimault belongs to the
crown. and the Canadian government has
reserved for her majesty's ships exclusively
a portion of the h.rbor. The Canadian
government will provide a site for fortifi-
cation and guns, and will be responsible for
the management of them. The honorable
gentleman's other questions seemed to have
been put with an object of causing the in
reference that in time of trouble or dan
ger Canada will not be ready to cooperate
with the home governments. I decline to
answer those hypothetical questions. which
were prompted by supposltlons at once in
| iudiclous and dangerous
Ferguson jumped to his feet, saying. "If
l WAS lord of the admiralty / would answer
the query whether in the event of Canada
separating herself from her ,majesty's en-
plre. the guns. stores and ammunition, AZ
we'll as the fortihcations will belong to the
imperial government" The house was III
hubbub when Ferguson sat down. and
rang with cries of "order'' and s'don't
answer Lord Hamilton made no reply.
Under Secretary Lowther, in response to
the inquiries of Gourley as to the report OF
the Beriup sea commission, said that all
the commissioners had signed joint re-
port embodying the point upon which they
were agreed us regards the protection and
preservation Of the seal industry. The
points unon which no agreement has been
been arrived at, and these were main points.
he added concerning the length of the
season round the Peagic islands. These
questions will be referred to the arbitration
committee for settlement.