The sun., 1895-03-29
CAE.1D.i'S CRISIS.
Questions or the Greatest Delicacy Demand
Ing Settlement.

ing Settlement.
QUEBEC. March o5.-The political crisis at
Ottawa Is growing in intensity. For nearly a
month there have been almost daily sittings OF
the Cabinet, and still the question Is undecided
whether the Ministers will meet Parliament a.
usual noXt month. or whether they will seek
permission from the Governor G eneral to dis
solve Parliament and appeal to tho country.
Lord Aberdeen has at length. it is said, inter-
vened. and declared to the Prime Minister that
he must be prepared to recommend some definite
course TO him within the next two or three da IS.
which means that if this is not done the Cover
nor-Gencral will consider himself free 10 dis
miss his present advisers. to summon Mr.
Laurer to form a new Government, and to give
him the right to appeal 10 the cons stitucncies.
Tho course attributed to the Governor G en-
era isa very natural one in the interests of
trado and commerce. which are daily becoming
moro pa ralyZed throughout Canada in con.e-
quence of the prevailing uncertainty as to the
future. II Parliament is to meet as usual there
will bc no elections till next winter. and bus-
ness men will know that for this year at least
there will be no material change in the tariff.
II. on the other hand, elections are held this
spring or early in the summer the prospect of
the Liberals coming to power will greatly de-
range business until the amount OF tariff revis-
ion and changes to be made by them are fully
understood. There are a variety OF reasons that
make II difficult for tho Government to decide
whether to face Parliament or the electorate
first. but tine elections must be held some time
within the next ten months.
A deficit of somo millions Of dollars in the
Federal finances, owing TO the continued de-
preston OF business and consequent falling Oft
in imports and customs dues. would have de-
cidsd the Government to hold tho elections be-
fora he Of Da Ito nj
the condition Of the public excheQucr But tho
greater difficulty confronting the Government
Is the solution Of the Manitoba school question
which has now attained such proportions that 1t
almost threatens the country with a religious
war. Tho Roman Catholic minority in Mani
toba declares that its constitutional and re-
ligious liberty IL invaded by the legislation of
tho province compelling them to ntribute to
schools that they deem Protestant. 1t 10 vir-
tually the American school question over again.
But the Roman Catholics in Manitoba have
the grea, majority OF the population in the
province Of Quebec. but OF the scattered Catbo-
with grea, persistence that the Federal Govern
ment should give Mantoha's minority rernedia,
legislation Ne i'ryr Council having decided
that II Is within its power TO do so. The French
Canadian and Roman Catholic members Of tho
Government are known TO be contending with
which such remedial legislation may be enacted
prior to elections. failing which they know that
the Government candidates will be defeated
wherever Roman Catholic elsctor. are in the
But. on the other hand. the Embellishments
Ministers. threatened by tho Orange lodges Of
Ontario and the maritime provinces with GER
French Canadian colleagues and tho Roman
Catholic hierarchy. are in an eGually difficult
position. The Cabinet Is almost equally divided
on the question. and the crisis is daily becoming
more accentuated. Some decision must be
reached within tho next few days. and upon Il
depends the fate Of the Government. 1t may
probably seek 10 evado the difficulty by calling
upon the Legislature of Manitoba TO do justice
med ately dissolve Pa Lament aud hold new
elections before an answer can he received as TO
ManitOhA's Intentions.