The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1896-01-17
A CRISIS IN CANADA.

AT the election in Manitoba on wednes-
Gay the returns point 10 an overwhelming
victory for the supporters OF John Green
way, who not long ago dissolved his Mani
toban government TO ascertain II the prov
ince was willing TO stand by him IN his de-
fance Of the crown and the Dominion au-
thorities. The election. over which the
Manitoba people have been wrought up for
some weeks, is very decisive I'm It's results,
and the unanimity with which they have
protested against any interference by the
Dominion with their local school laws bids
fair to involve all Canada In one OF the most
serious controversies that have arisen for
many years The strength OF the Green
way faction lies IN the policy OF no surren-
der and the declaration that any attempt
by the Dominion TO restore Catholic schools
will be resisted. no matter what the cost
This declaration. backed up by recent popu-
lar approval al the polls. promises to put
strain upon federation ties such as has
never before been experienced.
The historical details which have led UP
10 the present crisis are generally well
province, in 1870. the constitution provided
that the legislature might exclusively make
laws In relation TO education, provided such
laws should not affect the rights which de-
nomInational institutions had at the time
Of the union. Protestant and Roman Cath
ole schools under this constitution received
support from the public funds for twenty
a. -
acted new school law which wiped the
Catholic schools. as state aided institutions.
out OF existence, and established nom
sectarian system OF education which has
proved satisfactory to the majority, as the
Protestants had increased to 13s, 900, while
the Roman Catholics numbered not over
5000.
The Catholics resisted this attempt OF the
provincial legislature TO deprive them OF
what they considered inalienable rights and
privileges, and contested the constitution
atty OF the act. The case was taken from
court TO court until decision was rem
dered by the imperial privy council. the
supreme court OF the British empire, the
lords OF which said the Catholics were right
In their contention. II became the duty,
then. OF the Dominion government, TO issue
a remedial order, and In March of last year
this was done by Mackenzie Bowel. who
practically commanded the Manltoban gov
eminent to restore the parochial schools
as they had previously existed. This order
has been ignored. The dual system OF
schools has not been re-establlshed.
The new Dominion cabinet. with Bowel
stiu at It's head. must now face the prob
lem. Bowel has declared that he viii not
yield In this matter and coercion seems to
be the only recourse. Since the returns OF
the Manitoba election OF Wednesday have
come in and show that the province is be-
hind Greenway. the latter can afford to be
more defiant than ever. He has already
laughed at the decision Of the highest trib-
unal OF England and treated the orders OF
the Dominion government with contempt.
The people OF his province seem to be en-
thuslastic in supporting him In his atti-
trde OF resistance, and in the present state
OF public feeling in Manitoba very serious
results might follow an attempt by the Do
minon parliament 70 have its remedial laws
carried out Greenway insists he will not
( yield. and IL he remains firm in this deter
mination in the face OF a remedial enact
4 ment. ii win practically mean not only de-
/ fance Of Dominion law. hut rebellion
/ against the British empire. Many believe
/ that the controversy will be settled with
( out further serious friction. bat II VIII not
I be done without n shaking up ~ Dominion
ministries and a very near approach to
national disruption ana a positive revolt
against the rule Of Great Britain in the
l province OF Manitoba.