The morning call., 1893-09-10
THE CASE OF BRITISH. CO.
LUMBIA.

with comments an article from the pen of
Mir. Cutter on the subject Of the anneXa-
tion of British Columbia to the United
States. The suggestion has attracted at
tention in various quarters, sarcastic COM
ment in the Toronto Empire and favor
able consideration in high political circles
in this country. The last authority who
has been heard from is gentleman who
is better known in the social and finan-
cial than in the political world, Mr.. John
Jacob Astor of New York, but he goes
somewhat farther than is proposed. He
says:
1 thoroughly believe in the annexation of
canada. and should like TO see an ''ocean- bound
republic" unoer one government, extending
from the Arctic to the Caribbean Sea. This
would. forever, prevent such wars and arma-
ments here as have blighted Europe. and would
give large area absolute free trade. The alb
sorptlon OF Canada would be great step
toward this achievement. The demand for il
should, however, most properly come from the
Canadians, since in the event OF hard times,
which the union would do much 10 amelioraie
they would then have nothing with which to
reproach us. The next point would be for the
united countries 10 assume The combined
national debts, or The union might be hasteued
by purchase, as in the case of Louisiana and
Alaska. The unifcation of North America is,
OF course. bound To come, and l see no reason
Why all enjoyment of it should be left to
posterity.
Our Canadian contemporaries seem to
think that the discussion of the annexa-
tion project Drehgures a raid on the prov
ince by American filibusters. They may
rest assured that nothing of the kind is
impending. The race of filibusters is
pretty nearly extinct. A fixed purpose
prevails to put down with an iron hand
attempts by American adventures to mo-
lest our neighbors. However much Amer
leans may wish to annex British Colum-
bla, they would not for a moment tolerate
its Invasion. except in time of war, or its
occupation by American troops, except at
the invitation of the British Columbian
people. Nor would they favor annexation
as they do if they did not feel that 1t would
be as advantageous to the province as to
the United States. We want no discon-
tented Ireland in our dominion.
But it must be apparent to British Co.
lumbians. as 1t is to other people. that the
province has everything to lose and moth
ing to gain by remaining dependency of
England. 1t is on the cards that the quar-
LOt DCbUCOu duu huSsId WHICH so
nearly resulted in war over Herat may
break out afresh at any moment. In that
event one of the first steps in the conflict
would be the appearance of Russian fleet
in Puget Sound. the capture of EsQuimalt
and the seizure of the Wellington coal
mines. Russia would not be likely to sur
render those pieces of property unless, as
in the case of Alaska, she sold them for
an understood consideration to the United
States. What would become of the Cana
dian Pacific if Russia held one end of it
and cut England's strategic line the colo
nists can figure out for themselves.
Again. British Columbia constitutes a
standing invitation TO the United States
10 make the most of any dispute which
may arise with England. Iti to be hoped
that no such dispute will arise and that if
any should it would be adjusted by arbi-
tration. But statesmen are but men, and
il an American President should perceive
that rigid attitude might end in tile COM
pletion Of the only vacant link in our
Pacific Coast he would not be likely to be
eoncliatory. II is esteemed unwise TO
walk through the wood with a fat purse
hanging out of the pocket. That is pre-
cisely what the Canadians are doing.
They are Haunting in the face of this coun-
try rich prize to be won by hostilities
with England. Is that not relying rather
too confidently on the forbearance- of "a
people which has shown more than once
that it pariakes of the nature of the old
Adam?
OF the material advantages which Brit
ish Columbia might reap by annexation it
is unnecessary to speak, for the colonists
are well aware of them. As matters stand
the great seaport of the North Pacific
Archipelago Will be either Seattle or
Tacoma. Victoria and Vancouver would
be excellent sites for commercial en-
pOrium, at which the reciprocal trade Of
Asia and America might be conducted,
but no one ever thinks of them because
they are under the British flag. If one of
them should grow to be a great city the
adjacent country would double in value
and among the colonists who are in very
moderate circumstances today some would
turn up as millionaires. There are no
limits to the productive capacity of British
Columbia if it were in the right hands.
But it can never amount to anything so