The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1896-03-26

and VIII not refer to II new except ~
mark TIE contrast bstwesa the doubt and
hesitation then and the determination new
of every son OF Canada "a maintain the
local constitution in his special identity
AID at the same time TO draw closer ths
bonds which unite him with the great
parent state. The recent isolation that
seemed 10 threaten US evoked from all the
colonies. especially from Canada. an out-
burst Of loyalty and affection that reVer-
herated throughout the world. which gesti-
lied a sentiment deeper than words can
express. and which cispeiled the idea tsat
such expressions OF loyalty and affection
We're superficial and would rot bear the
test Of serious confisct. so thar II war
broke cut the mother country would be
left 10 her fate and the colonies could
take care OF themselves The shadow Of
war did darksn the horizon, and TO none
was tire shadow more ominous than to
oar teiio~-c.sizens of Canada
Mr.. Chamberlain reviewed the growth
of the feeling for imperial federation. say
ing: Although experience has shown that
the finai realization Of our hopes of feder-
atom 5 . matter Of such vast magnitude
and great complication that il cannot he
undertaken al the present time. IL does
not follow ca that account that we, should
give up our aspirations. Ii j. only proof
that Ne must approach the goal differ
once. but must seek the lire Of the least
resistance. The boldest night shrink ap-
paliet; before an attempt 10 create a new
government for the British empire, with
powers OF taxation and legislation over
countries separated by thousands Of miles
of seas. We may. however. approach this
desirable cansummatOn by a process of
gradual development The greatest obli-
CATION is the imperial defense. The great
est interest Is the imperial trade. The
former must be reached through the lat
ter
Rsmafking that IL was natural that Can
ada should take the initiative. Mr.. Cham
beriain c..ed the resolution OF The Ottawa
conference in favor of a cIts, 9fas arrange
ment between Great Britain ane the colS-
nies. and also Mr.. McNeils resolui on in
the Canadian legislature on TueslaS. in
favor OF an ad valorem duty on foreign 'm-
ports. Although he fDresae very seri-
Gus disleeation of trade with EnsiSri II
such a proposal became effective. Mr..
Chamberlain asserted that the proposal
merited respectful consideration. TITS
proposal. MIR Chamberlain pro-s'sfri. would
involve at least "A small ttty on food aad
raw material. and would increase the COS.
OF living and the pressure on the WORKING
classes. Ii would also tend to Increase iht
ccst of production. and would thereby pre-
iudce US in competing WIKI foreign toun-
tries in neutral markets II > useitEs for
US to shut eur eyes to ,heSe facts. IN return
should get very small consideration
in the shape If "a preference, ,..ayhe :. per
cent. and perhaps even ; per cent. IN com
peting with foreign msnufutsre-s N The
colonial markets. This Is "A very starting
proposal for a free trtte country, ara
seems IN its present form Impossible fSr US
10 adopt The preference would be much
smaller in the case o. British 600 - I'M
- in tI.af
Of colonial goods imported inso Great
Britain II IS still more important. as our
foreign trade is SO gigantic in proportion
10 the foreign trade of the colonies that
the burden of taxation would fall with
much greater weight upon the United
Kingdom than upon the colonies MI
Chamberlain then proceeded 10 invite the
colonies TO continue their efforts. ana he
expressed the opinion that the Marquis OF
Ripon's dispatch to the governors OF the
colonies on the subject IN 1888 had not
closed the doors to more favorable pro-
posals which might be advanced in the
future and he called particular attention
to Lord Ripon.s statement that an ar
rargement creating a customs union com
ng the whole empire. by which the
aggregate customs revenue might be
squtably progcrtinned among the princi-
pal communities, would in principle be free
from objection
Or. Montague. in responding, said II was
because he fully realized the important
influence the colonies must exercise upon
the future Of the British empire that In
Canada Mr. Chamberlain was appreciated
as no colonial secretary ever before had
been appreciated. one thing the Canad.-
ans especially desired was that the tide of
emigration from Great Britain should he
turned to their shores Mr.. Chamberlain,
he said. would be doing a work that would
send his name down 10 posterity with the
greatest possible honor II he would turn
his practical attention to encourage the
flow of emigration 10 Canada