The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1896-12-04

Copyrighted 1853 BY the Associated Press.
London. Dec &-The Empire League
held q meeting this afternoon at tia
Guild hall. The lord mayor. George Fau-
del Phillips. presided The hall was well
filed. but there was q lack OF snthusi-
ssn- Among the Canadians present were
Sir Charles Upper, Lieut. Gov. Kirkpat-
rick. and Messers. Dobel and Laurier A
telegram from the Canadian league dated
Toronto was read. stating that the Cana
dian branch had elected ten members 70
the council OF the league IN England.
The Duke OF Devcnshire president OF
the council. made = speech IN which he
said he believed that the sentiment in Ia
vor Of imperial federation was growing.
but thar Mr.. Chamberiain's proposal to
establish free trade within the empire had
not yet met with q hearty enough re-
sponse In the great colonies TO demand
Immediately another colonial congress-.
The Conserva uves. he added. considered
IL Of the highest importance TO renew tne
agreements shortly terminating whereby
the colonies contribute 10 the cost OF thu
navy as a practical step In the direction
Of imperial federation The admiralty,
the duke continued. had undertaken 10
protect ali British territory. and II was
the duty OF the colonies to provide for
their adequate defense. IN order that tho
strategic plans for the defense Of the
colonies might be complete.
The Duke Of Devonshires motion. ap-
proving the constitution Of the league.
announcing that the organization is now
complete. and stating that the league IL
ready TO proceed with It's programme, was
carried.
Mr.. Dobei cordially syrnpashized with
the aim Of the league. though he regret
ted the lack of progress, and expressed
tho belief that the only solution OF their
dream was a zollvereln of Great Britain
and her colonies against the world. Con-
tinuiRg. the speaker said he was proud 10
belong 10 Canada, "a country which is
second to none in her loyalty TO the
mother country. country which can not
look without admiration on her great
neighbor. the United States Yet" added
Mr.. Dobel. she has greater admiration
for the forbeaTance and generosity which
Great Britain has shown the United
States during the past twenty-four years,
and IL is to DO hoped that the time Is soon
coming when the United States Will APP
preciate all Great Britain has done for
her.
Mr. Dobei predicted that Canada would
be the means OF bringing about a better
understanding between Great Britain and
the United States, which. he claimed.
would be one OF the best things that ever
happened TO Great Britain.
Referring to Prof. Goodwin Smiths
statement that the ultimate goal OF Can
ada was its absorption by the United
States. Mr.. Dobel said he believed that *
imperial federation was effected IL might
be possible 10 absorb the United States.
and he continued: 'T am sure that every
part OF the empire will welcome back the
wandering child
Sir Charles Upper spoke OF the pro-
found belief felt in Canada and by him.
self in the works and aims of the league
Referring TO the statement OF the Duke
of Devonshire that 1t was the duty of tho
colonies 10 provide for their adequate de-
tense, Sir Charles declared that no people
in the whole empire were reader than
the Canadians 20 contribute TO the de-
tense OF the empire.