The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1892-12-22
How We Can Help Our Friends in
Canada.

The movement in favor of continental
union. which is acquiring SO surprising
Roadway in the Dominion Of Canada. CONF
mands. as it deserves. the cordial sympathy
of the American people. Nor will it be long
before we recognize the duty Of evincing
our sympathy in 4 practical and decisive
way. The demand for political association
with the United States must ultimately
come. as matter Of diplomatic form, from
the Parliament at Ottawa and our friends
in Canada have right to demand that we
shall aid them to remove the most formid-
able obstacle to their obtaining control OF
that assembly. That obstacle is the Cana
dian Pacific Railway; and it is solely due
to the privileges granted to that foreign
corporation by our Federal Government
that it has hitherto been able TO exert ire
lncndous and almost irresistible influence
in favor OF maintaining the connection be-
tween the Dominion and Great Britain.
The facts relating to this subject were set
forth IN detail the other day in The Sun,
but they cannot be too often brought home
to all Americans who heartily desire the
union Of tho Engiisl-speaking race upon
this hemisphere. The Canadian Pacific was
avowedly constructed ut enormous cost by
the Dominion Government as a military
highway. and. appropriately enough. the
first loaded train that crossed from ocean
to ocean was freightel with munitions OF
war belonging to the British Imperial Gov
"rnment. In connection with this railway
line of steamships has been established
ON the Pacific Ocean between Vancouver
and Yokohama. and in consideration OF sub
81.
and the British Governments these steam
ers are bound to serve us British cruisers
in case Of a maritime war. At the coming
session Of the Ottawa Parliament the Inter-
colonial railroad is to be handed over to
tho Canadian Puciic. on condition that tho
latter shall, with the help OF subsidies.
establish fast line OF steamships between
Halifax and Liverpool. When this con.
dition is complied with. tho military high
way between Great Britain. British Column
bla. and Asiatic countries will be completed.
and put in perfect readiness for the event
OF war with the United States.
II this were the only ground on which
the Canadian Pnclflc ought to DO regarded
with suspicion and disapproval on this sldo
of the border there would still 10 ample
cause for refusing to bestow on this alien
corporation exceptional privileges which
enable it 10 fill its treasury by underbidding
American competitors. AS matter OF fact.
however. the financial resources for which
the Canadian Pacific is indebted to the ia.
vors granted by our Secretary of the Treas
ury-if dependent on Canadian business it
would be bankrupt-are applied not only to
promoting the facilities for transporting
across the continent the troops of a foreign
power. but are lavishly expended for the
purpose Of upholdng the political party OPP
posed TO The union OF British North Amer
lea with this country. Well may the Cana
dim Tories SGT great store upon the bond
ing privilege enjoyed by the Canadian Pa
cihc. Well may they chucke as they recog-
nize that to this corporation tho shipment
of goods in bond from ono point In the
United States to another through Canada
has become OF enormous Importance. We
repeat that tho Canadian Pacific would
starve if deprived of its traffic between Min
ncapolis and Duluth upon the one hand and
Boston and Hew York upon the other.
Until tie discussion OF this subject was
begun in The SIN. few American citizens
were aliyc 10 tn" fact that our own Govern
nent ut Washington is responsible for the