New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-03-10
NEWFOUNDLAND PROBLEMS,
POSSIBILITY OF ANNEXATION TO CAN
ADA or THE UNITED STATES.


in the public prints regarding the annexation OF
this island 10 the United States. 1t Is not won
derful that the thoughts OF some al least should
be tending i'm that direction. An appeal was
made to England for help soon after the imam
cial tornado struck u.s. on the 10th OF last De-
cember prostrating our banks deprivinG us of
a currency. sweeping away all our mercantile
firms but two. INJECTING widespread ruin on the
shareholders and depostors OF our only two
monetary institutions. and bringing the colony
Itself to the verge Of bankruptcy. The severity
OF the calamity could scarcely be paralleled else
where. and falling on small, poor, isolated
community. its effect was crushing. The I'M
perial Mother was appealed to for assistance.
Her only answer was that If the Government
and LEGISLATURE asked for royal commission
to investigate the condition of the colony it
would be granted. but that no aid could be
given till this was done This was chilling re-
ply to the cry of one Of her children. The royal
commission was not asked for. probably be-
cause there was a well-grounded fear that this
would be the first step toward the withdrawal
Of our charter and cur degradation to the con-
dltion Of 2 crown colony. The consequence has
been that England has not yet lifted a finger
To help us Had Il not been that the Bank Of
Montreal came to our aid at the beginning Of
January with n loan OF 800 900 the colony would
have been unable to meet its liabilities ard
would have been posted as defaulter.
It Is not surprising to fnl that such appar-
entity cold-hearted treatment on the part Of
England has awakened resentment in many
minds especially In Wow Of the wrongs and
Injustice which for a century and a half the
Oldest colony had suffered from The ImDeria
Mother Nor need We be astonshed that unde~
such circumstances the eyes Of numbers Of
the people should turn toward the great r.
public Of the West. which has given shelter
and home 10 thousands Of Newfoun1,anders
WHO found life too hard for endurance in the
land of their birth. In every large city II the
United States there are colonies Of Newfound
landers; and they and their children cherish q
warm affection for the "od home" It's cry Of
distress moves them; and they are not slow u
tell their connections here that under the stars
and Striycs they would experience very different
treatment In their hour Of need. and to sucges.
to them the proprety Of taking refuge under IT.
shcltering folds.
But then this is a small. weak community.
numbering only 200 oO0 souls. How could thoy.
even surprising they were almost unanrGur. rise
up ana transfer their allegiance TO another
power? In reality. however they are very FAR
from being unanimous on that subject Even l.
an overwhelming majority were In favor Of an
acxation they firmly believe that England would
never permit one Of her colonies to break loose
and unite with another state; and that any
movement ia that direction would - promptly
and sternly checked Tho geographical position
Of this island forbls such transferrence. As
naval station II is without n rival IN North
America. Tho power that posse sscs it holds ,tr
koy - the Gulf of ST Lawrence. T. permit is
occupation hy foreign power would be Z" de-
stroy the safety Of the rising Dominion - Can
ada. and II establish standing menace close u
her shores 80 British statesman dare counte-
nance such a step Annexation. therefore. is far
outside the range Of practical politics. and to
o-itain for it would be mere waste Il time and
strength.
Tn. manifest destiny" % Newfoundland is -
unite with Canada AMI await union with the
United states til that day which Mr.. Goodwin
Smith confidently predicts. when Canada VIII
Cravtate TO the Great Republic. Meantime in
the hearts Of all Newfoundlanders there is
f,olinc Of profound respect and even warm
affection for the American people and their insti-
tutions No traveller or tourist meets A warmer
welcome than an American. 1T am an Amerl-
| can is the Sesame" that throws open all doors
and secures boundless Inequalities Besides,
Newfoundland does not forget that I'm many an
hour II sore need the generous people ot America
nave come TO their assistance. At the present
time they are literally helping 10 save the poor
~ our people from the pangs Of hunger.
Tn, political situation at this date may be
defined I'm a few words: SIR William Wh!teway.
with a strong government. once more occupies
the scat If authority. lie has now 10 decide the
destiny Of the country. With a people mpo"-
erlshed by the recent financial CONFUSION. and
declining revenue through the falling off Of I'm
nv m
chasing power ~ the people. no IL unable to find
wavs and means for carrying on the Governn' ent
and paving interest the large public debt
which has been piled up In other words, the
coony has ceased 10 be se.f-supporung and car
rot continue to, be self-govening. The pressing
problem is how to avert bankruptcy. To the
solution of this Sir William has to address him
self and that promptly, for quarter-day IS az
hand What il to be done? \ loan. even If OBJ
talnablc would only delay the evil hour for
short tiuc. There appears to be but one door Of
hopc-union with Canada Personally S.r WIZ
lam has always been I'm favor Of confederation:
and there can hardly be a doubt that he win
now bend all his energies 10 consumma'e
union Confederation ~ by no means popular
omo,r the masses: but gradually they will learn
that thov have only "Hobson's choice" Canada
will willingly receive the colony with all its
liabilities and endeavor TO develop its resources.
Tho LEGISLATURE lands adjourned till April >. in
order to permit the byc-elections 10 BE- held.
When II meets the probability is that A denuta-
ton will be sent 20 Canada to negotiate terms Of
union.
This union will save tho credit of the Colony.
but We have got to work out our own industrial
and commercial salvation. for in that direction
Canada can do little to aid us. our rotten bank
ing system has been swept away and deserved
It's fate Three Canadian banks are now eStab-
l!shed here and viii supply our wants. There
will bee an end 10 that wretched system OF over
drawn accounts which wrecked our local banks.
The disclosures I'm connection with the manage
mcnt Of the .ats banks sufficient u humble
us I'm the dust. Take single instance. -Four
~ tho directors OF the Union Bank had over
drawn accounts. when the bank closed It's doors.
Il IL