The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-03-27
At THE CANADIAN CAPITAL.
Statesmen Sorely Puzzled Orer Pacifying
Al the Factions.

Statesmen Sorety Puzzled Orer Pacifying
All the Factions.
OTTAWA, ONTARIO, March 26.-The
news from Winnipeg that Premier Green
way has declared that "the Governor-Gen-
erals order would be rejected in its en-
tirety,' while not unexpected, has caused
great excitement in official circles.
1t is admitted that the situation is preg-
nant with critical possibilities and that
much depends upon the action of the Do
minion Government. 1t is, of course, pos
sible that the Manitoba Legislature may
shelve the question for year, as the Fed
eral Parliament has no Jurisdiction till the
Government of the Province acts or refuses
to act on the order. But this seems hardly
likely to happen, judging from the reports
Of the feeling among the most of the people
of Manitoba. Assuming then that the or
der in the Council of the Dominion Gov
eminent is ignored, what will be the steps
taken by the Government to enforce its
commands? This question may be deter
mined by the outcome OF two bye elections,
one in Quebec and the other in Ontario,
which are shortly to be held
Vercherres, an old Rouge" (LiberaD
district of Quebec, is vacant. The Gov
eminent will bring on an election there,
and if the Conservative candidate is re-
tanned the Government viii be encour-
aged to introduce bill in Parliament at
the coming session re-esta blishing the Cath
Ole parochial-school system in Manitoba.
The other vacancy is in Haldimand, which
went Conservative by small majority at
the last election. Should the result here
show, as is expected, large liberal gains, it
will be evident that what the Government
has gained in the French Catholic con-
stituencies it has lost in the English and
Protestant districts and the Government
will have to choose between the two or en-
deavor to appease both by some interme-
date course.
The British North American act is in
many ways an elastic affair, and it will be
a difficult matter for the Dominion Gov
kernment to decide that it has or that it has
not the right to interfere in the educational
legislation of the provinces. If it should
decide to interfere, 1T is probable that such
interference would make the present d.
visions of Canada coincide with its great
religious devotion, or would lead to a.
series of appeals to the courts, the end of
which can be scarcely foreseen. So far the
action of the Government has resulted in
stirring up feeling in Ontario very hostile
TO itself, while in Quebec it has a directly
contrary effect.
None of the party organs in Ontario dare
to commit themselves to any definite state
ment as to the course to be pursued toward
Manitoba. The liberal papers, naturally,
their party being in opposition, are de-
lighted at the trouble and devote many
columns to reports of all news bearing on
the school question, while the Canadian
organs, to give one example, yesterday
gave only the bare announcement in four
or five lines of the arrival of the order in
the Council in Winnipeg. But the indie
pendent journals, without exception, cry
out against any interference by the Domin-
ion in the school affairs of the province.
>Their cry is, Islands off, ]" and there is no
doubt as to that being the sentiment of the
great majority of Protestants.