The herald., 1896-12-04
Great in Numbers but Not En-
thusiastic
NAVlES COST MUCH MONEY
England Will Be Glad il the Colonies
Contribute
Brother Dobel Thinks il Just Possible
That Canada May Absorb the
United States-She'd Bust.
Associated Press Special Wire

Associated Press Special Wire
LONDON, Dec. 3.-(Copyright 1896. }
The Empire league held meeting this
aftrenoo nat the Guild hall. The lord
mayor. Mr.. George Faudel Phillips, pre-
sided. The hal was we'll filled but there
was lack of enthusiasm. Among the
Canadians present were Sir Charles Tup-
per, Lieutenant Governor Kirkpatrick
and Messrs. Dobel and Laurie
A telegram form the Canadian league
| dated Toronto,' was read, stating that
the Canadian branch had elected ten
| members to the council of the league in
England. The duke of Devonshire. the
| president OF the council, made a speech
in which he said he believed the senti-
| ment in favor Of imprial federation was
growing, but that Mr.. Chamberlain s
proposal to establish free trade within
| the empire had not yet met with such
1 response in the great colonies as TO de-
| mand Immediately another colonial con-
gress. The Conservatives, he added.
| considered it of the highest Importance
| to renew the agreements shortly ter
minating whereby the colonies contrib
ute to the cost of the navy as a prac IT,
| cal step in the direction Of imperial fed
Grafton.
The admiralty, the duke continued
had undertaken to protect all British
territory, and it was the duty of the
colonies to provide for their ADEQUATE
defense, so that the strategic plans for
the defense of the colonies might b.
complete. .
The duke of Devonshire's motion ap-
proving the constitution of the league
announcing that he organization is now
complete and stating that he league is
ready to proceed with its program, was
carried.
Mr.. Dobel cordially sympathized with
the aim of the league, though he regret
ted the lack of progress and expressed
the belief that the only solution of their
dream was zollvercin 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 tc none in her loyalty
to the mother country; a country which
could not look without admiration on
her great neighbor, the United States.
Yet added Mr.. Dobel "she had a
greater admiration for the forbearance
and generosity which Great Britain has
shown the United States during the last
twenty-five years, and it is to be hoped
the time is soon coming when the United
States will appreciate all Great Britain
has done for her."
Mr.. Dobel also predicted that Canada
would be the means of bringing about
better understanding between Great
Britain and the United States, which
he claimed would be one of the best
things thht ever happened to Great
Britain.
Referring to Prof. Gold'win Smiths
statement that the ultimate goal of
Canada was its absorptionby the United
States, MIR. Dobel said he believed that
if imperial federation was effected, it
might be possible to absorb the United
States, and he continued: II am sure
that every part Of the empire will well
come back the wandering child"
Sir Charles Tupper. referring to the
statement Of the duke of DevonshIre
that it was the duty of the colonies to
provide for their adequate defense de-
clared that no people in the whole en-
pire We're reader than the Canadians
to contribute to the defense fundof the
emDire