The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-07-11
The Danger TO England from Canada.

Tho blocking OF an agreement with the
British Government on nodns rircndi pre-
llminary to final settlement of the Alaska
boundary dispute, due to obstacles imposed
by Canada, affords an instance and an owl
dencc Of the perils to peace between EngA
land and this country which are involved
In the existence OF tn" Canadian Dominion
So far aS Lord SALISBURY and Mr.. CHoATE
are concerned, there Is every reason to
believe that m amicabe agreement upon q
temporary boundary line would have been
reached several weeks ago. hut the Cana
dian Government would not consent to II,
and consequently the question still remains
open, with dangerous possibilities.
In saying this We do not mean to imply
that this Alaska boundary dispute is likely
of itself and nj present to destroy our
amicablc relations with Great Britain
but 80 long as II continues unsettled it
will be cause of controversy which may
lead to unpleasant results in the future
The attitude of Canada in these particular
negotiations Is Indicative Of state Of feel
Ing generally toward this country which
suggests the ultimate possibility of such
trouble for Great Britain. The causo Of
this present dispute. of course, Is tho dis
covery OF gold in Alaska, and it shows that
whenever the interests of Canada come
seriously in conflict with thoao of this coun-
try the Canadian Government is likely TO
make use of any disputat'on which it may
hope to sustain by demanding the sovereign
protection upon which rests its whole rc-
lance. It feels TINT It can always turn to
England to fight it's battles for It.
l.
OF danger for England. It's territory lies
along the Who'll" length OF our northern
boundary and is the only territory belong
ing to European power which is contigu-
GUS to us. If the rotations Of Canada to Us
were Invariably md genuinely harmonious
and sympathetic It would he n different
matter, but actually. ne the dispute over the
Alaska boundary and other causes of differ
ence have demonstrated, there is no such
sentiment toward this country in Canada,
but rather captions fcclnr. "A sopa-
rate and competing country, II is not rca-
Ronablc to expect that its spirit should be
afTectionate. W" hay" grown into one OF
th" greatest powers in tn" world, with
population of scventv-iivc millions and
enormous wealth and resources. whiIc
Canada has remained almost stagnant,
with population Of only five millions.
insignificant revenues, and comparative
poverty. Naturally. envy and jealousy Of
American prosperity hav" arisen hut Cam
ada, in spite Of its own intrinsic weakness
can boast that It's n part Of the great British
Empire, and that it gets thence n gigantic
r?wcr of protection upon which TO rely for
liz defence. It is boy hut big father Is
at hand to fight its battles.
The only existing cause of possible
trouble between us md Gront Britain Ia,
therefore, CanRda, the British dependency
which stretches along our whole northern
boundary; n foreign possession, Offering
innumerahlc occasions for irritation and
resentment, because oE that contiCuity
through thousands of miles. Apart from
Canada alone, our relations with Great
Britain are now such as apparently,
to preclude tn" possibility Of friction be-
tween the two countries. They are moro
than peaceful they are cordial and SYM
pathetic to n dcCrc" thai Is conducive tO
tho peace Of the whOl" world. Except for
Canada, the United States and England
would now he in cordial agreement upon
temporary adjustment of the Alaska dis
pute, and there would hn no prospect of
future trouble in tho question. 4 final
settlement satisfactory to both could be
easily reached hereafter so far as they
are concerned, for it Is simply diff
f"rcnc" as to "A drt"rminah'r question
of fact between two nations which are
cordial in their friendship and heartily de-
Sit" to remain So.
Now, what advantage is there for Eng
lind flint g., 10,