The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1898-02-05
cAxADA AND nrHx gnpIRE.D
Importance OF tho Present Session or the DO
niinIon Pnrllnmeni.

MONTREAL, Fob. At is learned on very
good authority that the Colonial Office in Lon.
don Is putting strong pressure on the Cabinet to
make some practical display OF tho protested
loyalty OF Canada to tho empire. The Govern
ment at Ottawa H., we know, very anxious to
1.-Two up to these professions; but Is not very cor
tain how the people at largo will respond TO the
demand for the money that will DO required to
Rivo consistency to any scheme IL may bring
forward. It seems now pretty certain that
whatever contribution Canada may mako to
the war service of the empire will
take largely tho form Of naval prepara-
tion. There will also DO some increase of tho
permanent military force for the frontier ser
vice. principally along the British Columbia in
ternational boundary. for which 1t is proposed
to organize some companies of mountain troops,
who will DO likewise charged with the protoc-
ton of the bridges and other works OF the Cana
dian Pacific Railway ameng the Rocky Noun.
tains. This line being of strategic Importance
to England in tho event OF war In the Pacific, Its
military protection by Canada Is regarded as
part of her contribution to imperial defence. 1t
is likely that the other part OF the contribution
will take the form OF training vessels for sea-
men, who will DO regarded as belonging to
tho navy reserve and liable to BIO called
on to serve in the English navy In the
event OF war. The ships in ordinary times will
be employed as cruisers In the Gulf OF st. Law
renee and on the Atlantic and Pacific coasts In
revenue and fishery protection service. In ad-
dition there may be some special provision for a
| contribution on the part Of Canada to the cost
Of the coast and frontier forts and Rarrisons.
The taxpayers, rs a whole. are looking for
tary section OF the budget with anything but
satisfaction. 1t is a kind of expenditure that,
S Snd tS Serere has upSS been nf for so s1"af Time 70 good
deal of grumbling, among the taxpnying
than to furnish trained officers to the British
Ministers and other high-placed personagcs in
Canadian society. Every ono is. of course, look
ing to the official announcement Of Tho, Govern
ment on this important subject, for it is a critl-
cal point in Canadian history. 1t Is what Sir
tumn. described as as tho parting Of the ways. 1t
Is not likely, with the present composition OF
the nneI Dominion p pSnisHsp nth that m the G Cover IN Ss,
will be rejected. The. great majority of tho
members now COMPOSING tho Canadian Par
ing no connection whatever with the question
Of imperial defence; therefore their vote cannot
will Of the people in any sense. as tho o~onst!tu-
encies have never been called on to DECLARE
perial federation. OF which this coming demand
for n contribution is the first stop. Among the
s s5e a ee Ganadian sH there ta IS a strong SPoS % opposltion
to drawing any closer the relations with Eng
land. which would manifest itself il a vote were
taken on the subject. Left to the present body
Of members of Parliament, anything that will
bring personal profit and advantage Will be
voted for by them. as the cost does not come out
Of their pockets. but out Of those Of the taxpayers,
who have not or appear not to have the capacity
made direct from England to the members Of
Parliament and leading men in Canada, rs well
with the boosting INDUCED in by the lingo pa
pers in England; and the way in which the I'M
preparedness of England to meet a possible
combination has been set out, particularly in
the confidential, circular OF the British Navy
League to which l have already alluded. has
created moro of n scare than a desire to con-
tribute to the extent asked for.
In any case. the coming session OF the Parlia-
mcnt at Ottawa Is sure to be as interesting as it
is important. for 1t will have a influ.
ence in one way or another on tho future OF
| Canada.