Omaha daily bee., 1896-12-04
BRITISH EMPIRE LEAGUE MEETS
Many Present but LittIe Enthusinsm
shawn Inv DeIcunfps


Copyright 1896. by the Associated Press)
LONDON, Dec. S.--The British Empire
league held meeting this evening at
Guild hall Lord Mayor George Faudel
Phillips presided. The hall was filled but
there was a lack of enthusiasm Among the
Canadians present were Sir Charles Tupper,
Lieut.. Gov. Kirkpatrick and Messrs. Dobell
and Laurie.
A letter from the Canadian secretary of
the league, dated Toronto. was read, stating
that the Canadian branch had elected dele
gates to the council of the league in Eng
land.
The duke of Devonshire, president of the
council made a speech, In which he said
he believed that the sentiment in favor of
imperial federation was growing, but that
Mr.. Chamberlain's proposal to establish free
trade within the empire had not met with
such hearty response In the great colonies
as to demand Immediately another colonial
conference. The conservative government
had considered it of the highest Importance
to renew the agreements shortly terminating,
whereby the colonies contribute to the navy,
a practical step In the direction of i'm
perial federation. The admiralty, the duke
continued had undertaken to protect all
British territory from sea attack, and 1t
was the duty of the colonies to provide for
their adequate defense, SO that the strategic
plans for the defense of the colonies might
be complete
The duke of Devonsbire's motion approving
of the constitution of the league announc-
ing that the organization Is now complete,
and stating that the league is ready to pro-
ceed with its agreement, was carried. Mr..
Dobell cordially sympathized with the aim
of the league, although he regretted the
lack of progress, and expressed the belief
that the only solution OF their dream was a
zollverein of Great Britain and her colonies
against the world. Continuing, the speaker
said he was proud to belong to Canada, "a
country which is second to none in her 10y
atty to the mother country; country which
could not look without admiration upon her
great neighbor, the United States.
yet" added MIR. Dobell, "she has a
greater admiration for the forbearance and
generosity which Great Britain has shown
toward the United States during the last
thirty-live years, and IL is 10 be hoped that
the time is soon coming when the United
States will appreciate all Great Britain has
done for her"
Mr.. Dobell also predicted that Canada
would be the means OF bringing about a
better understanding between Great Britain
and the United States which, he claimed,
would then be one of the best things which
ever happened to Great Britain.
Referring to Prof Goodwin Smith 3 state
mont that the ultimate good of Canada was
its absorption by the United States, Mr..
Dobel said that he believed that IL imperial
federation was effected II might be possible
to absorb the Unaed States, and he con-
tinued II am sure that every part of the
empire will welcome back the wandering
child"
Sir Charles Tupper spoke of the profound
belief felt in Canada and by himself in the
work and aims of the league. and referring
to the statement of the duke of Devonshire
that it was the duty OF colonies to provide
for their adequate defense, Sir Charles de-
cared that no people in the whole empire
were reader than the Canadians to con-
tribute to the defense Of the empire