The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1893-02-06

also our lnshcre fsheries-not content that we
should have control of even three miles of wa
ter-but you want the whole Behring sea, hun
dreds. of miles from shore. No, sir; we are
comfortable and prosperous as a part of the
finest empire in the world. We have only be-
gun now to develop our northwest The conti-
nent is big enough for two countries if not
three. Let us live and let live. We don't want
the earth, and your people could not handle it
if they had it. Yours truly,
P. H. BURTON.
E. B. Osler, a director of the Canadian
Pacific railroad and a politician and
business man widely known in his own
province of Ontario and as well through
out Canada, writes:
would say that practically there is no ques-
ton or discussion as to annexation here. few
political cranks, Goodwin Smith at their head,
are writing and endeavoring to bring about
discussion on this question, but there is no feel
ing among the people of Canada at all. An
nexation can only be effected by force of arms.
One has only to find out.what the children and
the young people think ON the question to come
to this decision without going any further. A
man here and there who is o disappointed pol
itician may try to make some little notoriety
for himself, but this is the only way in which
the question is discussed. A
With regard to reciprocity, of course Canada
the United States on fair and honorable terms,
but on no other condition. Yours truly,
E. B. OsLER.
Frederick G. Denison, a conspicuous
Conservative Of Ontario, believes that
there is no feeling in Canada in favor of
annexation to the United States, save
among class as small as the anarchist
and socialist elements in the United
States. He thinks Professor Goodwin
Smiths advocacy of annexation a man
Hesitation Of crankism, and believes that
Canada would be glad to learn of his de-
parture for some other land. Mr.. Deni-
som sees no reason why Canada should
not trade in fair terms with the United
States, but feels sure that she will not
hu1niliate herself to obtain such terms.
The Hon. W. S. Fielding, provincial
secretary in the Nova Scotian cabinet,
writes from Halifax:
NV views on these questions may be briefly
stated.
AS to annexation, believe there are very few
annexationists in the province of Nova Scotia
and not many in the Dominion of Canada. The
question is not one of practical politics, and
therefore can be dismissed with few words.
AS TO reClprOclIy, UneT6 Is d very WiuSSpIcstu
desire for more liberal trade relations with the
United States There are in Canada, as there
are in the United States, protected interests
which have grown rich under the high tariff
policy, and which are quite content to let things
go on as at present. But the great mass of the
people want to trade with the States. How far
a reciprocity treaty should go is question on
which, from Canadian standpoint, there may
be differences of opinion. For myself land
think my views may be said to be those of the
Liberal party, to which belong), am in favor
of the freest possible exchange of productions
between the two countries. Yours faithfully.
w. S. FIELDING.
The Hon. j. W. Longley, attorney
general in the Nova Scotian cabinet,
takes somewhat different view from
that of his colleague, Mr.. Fielding, and
replies at length as follows:
In response to yours, have to say that at the
present moment no very considerable number
of people in the province of Nova Scotia are
advocates of political union with the United
States. Iii the province Of Ontario quite
considerable number have openly declared
themselves in favor of such policy as that,
and the number seems to be increasing. In the
province of Quebec, peopled chiefly by French
Canadians, it is not at all likely that any in
born spirit of devotion to the British crown
will prevent them ultimately adopting what
ever destiny seems best likely to promote the
material well being of the country.
It is quite true that there are not many an.
nexationists i'll this country now. 1t is equally
true that there are not many imperial fedora
tionists in this country now. II political union
with the United States were submitted to the
Canadian people as an issue tomorrow it
would DO voted down by an overwhelming ma
iority. If imperial federation were the next
day submitted to the Canadian people it would
likewise be voted down by an overwhelming
majority, simply because in both instances the
people have not thought profoundly in respect
of the future of the country, and with the in
nate conservatism of the human race believe
they can drag on forever in the present humil-
Eating colonial condition.
But presently it will dawn upon the masses'
of the people that the colonial relation cannot
continue forever, and that it is probable the
alternative lies between imperial federation or
political union with the United States When
that moment comes there will doubtless be a
terrible struggle for the mastery between the
two parties. Every man will array himself
either on the one side or the other of that ques-
ton, and it is too soon to predict what the re-
suit may be. The indications, SO far as can
foresee them, are that the greater influences
will tend to make Canada identify herself with
her own continent. Yours truly,
J. w. LoNGLEY.
AOlOlloI ~. -. bOUlUOAs d SOA1dUOl VI uliO
Dominion, representing Manitoba, an
swers as follows:
There is no general feeling in Canada in favor
of annexation. Our proximity to one another,
and speaking the same language, our social
and commercial intercourse being SO close, all
tend to create a strong bond of sympathy Oh
the part of Canadians with the people Of the
United States. Canadians, however, have q
great respect for their own constitution, which
renders them as independent, politically, as it
is possible for any nation to become. In any
alliance contemplated Canadians would have
to be convinced that they would enjoy a greater
degree of independence and liberty under the
constitution of the American republic than
they now enjoy under their own constitution
before they would consider the question of an
nexation seriously.
If the American people should apply the
principles of the British constitution gradually
to their political life they would find a safety
valve for many of the problems that are fac
ing them, the working out of which will ex-
tend or restrict the liberty Of the citizen and
exercise a corresponding influence upon their
national character in the future. Personally
believe that annexation would not exercise
beneficial influence on the political life Of this
continent. 1t would either develop into