The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-10-10
SOBERING UP IN CANADA.
The Prospect or Increased Taxes Nips ITS
budding Imperialism.

nv NobpV' WI q Ntph hb
budding Imperialism.
MONTREAL. Oct. THE Three Tailors Of Too.
ley Street in Toronto calling themselves the
Navy League. also the British Empire League.
or the United Empire Loyalists. as occasion re.
quires. are in hopes that they are going to have
O star performance this fall. Tho Secretary Of
the protcan loyalist organization has been in
communication with Lord Charles Beresford Of
Alexandria bonbardment rcnown on the sub
ject OF trade routes, naval bases. subsidized
merchant cruisers, and other matters of i'm
perial moment just at the present time, and the
result of tho correspondence is that Lord
Charles Beresford entirely Endorses the Toronto
scheme of turning Canada into a naval annex Of
England, and intimates his intention of trying
to pay Canada n visit during the autumn. The
real object. it appears, of this visit is not
really to discuss the question of an ocean
navy. but how preparations may be
uado to forcstall the United States on
the great lakes in the event OF Il war. The
deepening OF the st. Lawrence canals. about
which Sir w. Laurier made so much as a COM
mercial necessity for Canada, is really nm impe.
rial scheme for passing gunboats into the lakes
at the earliest moment on the outbreak of hos
titles, and before an American force could de-
stroy the locks of the canals on the Welland
and between Kingston and Montreal. Just as
the Intercolonial Railway was built for military
purposes, SO the deepening of the canals has
the same motive for naval purposes. The send
ing of the old Yantic to the upper lakes is being
worked for all it is worth TO try and rouse an
pie. but there are no signs that it is succeeding.
The fact is that while there seemed no chance
OF u war between England and America. n lot of
silly bombast was let off by irresponsible in
dlviduals among the imperiallsts; but now that
they see that the English Government is taking
them nj their word, and especially since Lord
Chelmsford's mission has given substance to
the possibility OF IA conflict. there is a good deal
less Dragging than there was.
To chill their enthusiasm further the prom
ised prosperity has not struck. Canada. and the
prospect Of having to add to the already heavy
debt TO pay for the maintenance Of the empire Is
not contemplated with any satisfaction except
BY ths Ministers. Officials, and contractors Sh who
tion OF 81. John. y. b.. for the winter port. has
caused great dissatisfaction in Halifax. and ne.
cessitatcd Sir w. Lauriers visiting that city to
try and allay the discomfort and explain that,
notwithstanding the deviation Of the track Of
British to tho core and ready to continue to
make sacrifices in Canada for old England and
The preferential tariff, and therefore he hoped
they would ncquicsce III what was an imperial
necessity; hnlcss the teieEraphiG reports had e
would have been difficult to believe that Sir W.
Itaurler had used them, knowing, as he must.
the change OF. feeling that is going on in the
country on this, imperial question. 1t appears
that the official dinner. which il was conteIn'
plated to give Sir W. Lanricr at Toronto has
fallen through for want of support. and other
indications show that the reckless expenditure
frightening the tAS-riGden farmers and yeomen
OF ontario.
The indcI cndcncc question Is being increasing.
~ discussed. and the only objection That some
have TO II IL that IL is premature. Their exact
rensons for saying SO are not given, but they prob
ably have no other foundation than tho instinc-
tive fear OF tho individual consequences of n
radical change. Among the working classes in
this part OF the country the sentiment in favor
OF national Independence is outspoNcn, and At
the recent Trades Congress held al Hamilton, in
Ontario. the subject was brought before it by
the Quebec provincial delegation. licarn from
one OF the delegates that ut tho banquet given
to the members of the congress several OF those
present retained their soats while the rest OF
the company rose when the toast OF the Queer
was being drunk. Nothing 80 significant has
occurred IN Cannaa IN thiS generation. ahu
the Patrons OF Industry in Ontario that Coo
save Canada" Is to be substituted for God
Save the Queen" at the close Of their meetings
1t is II proof that times are changing fast over
here. The sclf.interest of the mass $ must II
The end prevail over the alteration Of intclli
gcncc and patriotism that has fallen on the pc
litical leaders.