Evening star., 1898-08-24


liberal majority may lock forward to an
indefinite tenure of office. If not, the ten
ure will be more uncertain, though the lib
erals are not likely to lose power in the i'm
mediate future
From a casual reading of the dominion
newspapers I gather that politics is about
the same 6s in the states. The outs have
standing Indictment against the ''ins,"
and are pesssimistic regarding the future
of the country. The party in power is
maintaining itself by reprehensible and un-
scrupulous methods. Public position is
prostituted to pay private political debts.
Sir Wilfred. as also appears, is everything
from statesman whose commanding
genius is giving Canada imperial rank down
to a selfish demagogue who would sacri-
flee the dominion to his own insatiate am
bition.
These outcroppings of party feeling do
not Indicate that both conservatives and
liberals would not welcome closer rela-
tfons with the United States whether un-
der the name of commercial union or Of
reciprocity. They only mean that the
rivalry would be keen to secure the credit of
such an achievement.
Preparing the Way for the Commits
sion.
The way for the conference has had to
be smoothed In the beginning discord-
ant note was raised by objectors, who saw
in 1t a scheme to barter away Canadian
rights in order that American support for
England in the struggle with the continent
tai powers over the partition Of China
might be strengthened. This was met by
self-gratification over the fact that if
treaty should be the outcome Of the con-
Il 10 TOW,
treaty, because CaEada would have four
commissioners and England only one That
the United States is in reality dealing with
Great Britain because it cannot make trea-
ties with a colony was passed by as an
incident of little consequence. Practically
it is not of much consequence. If the Cana
dian commissioners should manage to agree
on the basis of treaty acceptable to the
American commissioners, though the con-
cessions might be distasteful to England,
her sole representative would hardly stand
in the way of accepting the treaty. Lord
Herschell, the English commissioner, has
the most difficult role. His eminence at
home gives him great authority. 1t may
enable some unpalatable concessions to be
granted.
His position in the conference is more for
effect than for actual influence. premier
Iaurier would dominate the British side If
the conference were held in London instead
of in Quebec. The premier has for his col
leagues clever and experienced officials,
who are able to present the Canadian side
of controverted questions with ability. Tho
likelihood Is that the people of Canada,
without regard to their political leanings,
will be made to feel that their interests are
safe.
To satisfy one element might seem easier
than to satisfy the whole people; yet in the
peculiar division of Canada the first task
vas the more delicate one In the outpour-
ing of sentiment about the Anglo-Saxon
alliance-some of it gush and some of it
genuine-I was curious to know how all
this would be taken by the French Cana
dian population A people who have kept
their language. customs and nationality
for a hundred and forty years could not
be expected to share in the sentiment
based on a common language which is for
eign to them, and a common race which rs
not theirs. No one up here in this French
province pretends to talk of 1t having be-
come Anglo-Saxon in either thought or
Iced. Its inhabitants retain their individ-
uality. They are loyal enough to England
as the source of authority, but it Is not the
loyalty of the other provinces. That they
should care little for the Anglo-Saxon al
lance as a rapprochement between two
English spea king communities is natural
enough. The interesting point was how
their support was gained so that instead of
antagon!zing the conference they welcomed
it and are ready to acquesce in the re-
suits.
Attitude of French Canadians.
The answer is chiefly to be found in the
personality of Sir Wilfrid Laurer. He has
a constituency like that which few Amer
lean politicians have had. Whatever Sir
Wilfrid does Is right. The province in
whose parliament French Is still spoken is
not, apparently afraid that a political
agreement between two countries will dis
place it by foreign tongue. The appeal to
this feeling is adroitly and successfully
made. The constituency which for many
years had Laurisr as it's parliamentary rep
resentative is told that the selection Of
Quebec for the meeting place of the COM
mission is a compliment to Sir Wilfrid's
electoral district. They will not be the ones
to pull down the ladder which enabled him
to ascend to the premiership. If their pref
udices have been appealed to the appeal has
clearly been made in vain. However, there
does not seem to be much prejudice in this
public affairs of the dominion. The French
Canadian is like the English or the Scotch
Canadian in wanting to do what is best for
Canada. While utilizing the development
of English and American good feeling with
out .antagonizing the French Canadian SEN
timent, Premier Laurier is apparently build
ing broader foundation. 1t is Canada
whose advantage he Is seeking, not as a
British colony, but as a country in itself.
Probably the freedom with which these ad-
vantages can be sought is a bond between
the colony and the empire.
CHARLES M. PEPPER.
A CONSUL'S COURTESY.