The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1898-01-08
ArrrAnINe ro oANADA.
The "British NAVY League seundinE the
Alarm FER Inperinl Federation.


MONTREAL, Jan. 6.-Certain OF the Canadian
newspapers have been the recipients Of q docu.
ment. marked confidential and not intended for
publication, from tho Executive Committee of
tho British Navy League in London. This body
Is one OF the protean forms assumed by the I'm.
perial Federation League, and tho object of this
circular is to stimulate tho lingo element In
every part OF tho empire to contribute to tho
imperious needs OF England In the struggle IL
describes rs at hand. Tho country against
which the circular particularly tries to stir the
pro-British lingo feeling lie France, which it is
hardly necessary to say is not calculated to
smooth away the difficulties caused by racial
differences here in the essentially French prov.
ince OF Quebec; and ia not likely to meet with n
very enthusiastic response from the general
body OF English speaking Canadians, for per-
sonal and local reasons that may be readily
srrmlsed.
According to this document England has
no friends; Austria is imbued with the same
Anglophobism as the other Continental powers,
and Italy Is described as 30 rotten that she is
more likely to be an embarrassment than of use
in case Of war. An alliance with Japan is
deprecated because, forsooth. the religious In.
stincts and racial pride OF Englishmen would
not allow them. to act with Orientals against
other Christian powers unless they are NOR
cenaries or vassals of Great Britain There is
n heap of food for thought in this latter SON
tence for those who will take the trouble to
think 1t over.
On the whole. the Navy League of Great
Britain does not take a roseate view OF the sit
uation, and, judging by the general tone of it's
circular, there seems very good ground for the
alarm It seeks to inspire. The single aim. how
save the ears OF Englishmen from being offended
by the sound Of foreign cannon. Things have
come to a nice pass when Il body of Englishmen
can sit down to indito q serious document in
this vein.
The thing, however. is overdone, and the gcn.
eral effect Is spoiled by piling on the agony too
thick. The incessant activity of tho French,
Russian, German. and American Governments
in augmenting their navies is given as a reason
why the colonies should come to the rescue of
England, as, sooner or later. she will have to
fight one or all of them; and Canada should be-
stir herself to furnish q proper quota of men
for the English fleet.
This circular has caused a good deal of sensa-
ton. as it has clearly been sent out with the full
approval OF the English Government. Among
the more prominent French Canadians it has
created q decidedly bad impression. and is doing
already seriously compromised by the in.
ternal strife in his party and Cabinet. The
French Canadians have all along been reso-
ilutsely opposed to the policy Of imneriall
the Nationalist party. among the most
prominent in Canadian politics, remarked when
discussing the subject a few days ago: Eng
land does not want us to GO in as partners to
crate, with her to, exploit u.s." That is the posi-
tion in a nutshell.
1t is reported that another battleship and some
other vessels are to be added to the Halifax
garrison in Canada will be increased by the ad-
dition of one or two infantry battalions and
perhaps a cavalry regiment for Ontario, near the
frontier.