The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-03-03
rnr rlRrr or olNApA.
A New and Aggressive Political Develop
ment in the Dominion.

mont In the Dominion.
MONTREAL, March las the discussion over
the failure OF the Joint High Commission to
arrive at any settlement proceeds, the more IL
revealsthe growing dissatisfaction with both
the old political parties and their leaders. tits
impossible to dignity with the title OF arRu-
ments tho tn Guogues which the old party Jour
nails are freely throwing at each other. and
from which the new generation OF Canadians
are turning in disgust. The internal and ex-
formal affairs alike OF this country have been
brought into such n state OF confusion that
some issue will have to be found before very
long II trouble Ia to be averted. Yet, with all
that is facing them. the party leaders have
only the old t~hrendbare speeches with which
TO meet n grave national emergency,
Both the old political parties in Canada are
disinteErating, | might 20 even further and
say that one, the old Tory. Is disintegrated;
the other. the Liberal. Is in process. The
younger men OF Canada whose careers have
been blocked by the results Of Tory rule and
subservience to alien influences are looking
about them. and are apparently getting ready
to strike out on new lines for themselves, and
to form q new party whose watchword will be
Canada for Canadians" This was to be ex-
pected after the complete failure OF Sir Wllfrid
Laurier TO respond to the high expectations
he raised throughout the country during the
electoral campaign OF 1896. 1t Is true that
many then doubted whether circumstances
would permit him to carry out In its integrity
the policy which he developed in his numerous
and highly applauded speeches. and there was
an inclination to be charitable toward his pos
sible shortcomings. but very few we're prepared
for the almost cynical abandonment by him OF
all effort to carry out the pledges he made in
order to gain the popular suffrage. Whether
- q --r NlAt 49,, q -.- - no Nha aN,,- aa
of the ship OF State into a smoother channel
would be f%ruitless. and that the only chance to
keep Storage way on It was to accelerate the
speed through the rapids in which Canada Is
now tossing. must be left to the future 10 re-
veal. As things are 1t needs a skilful hand to
guide the country through the troubled water
in which the adjournment Of the Joint High
Commission has left it.
1t may be said that the interest In the pro-
posed meeting OF the commission in August Is
purely academic. The general impression is
that 1t will not meet again. certainly not under
the same circumstances as when 1t adjourned.
The feeling is that the opportunity is now
Afforded Canada of taking entirely in hnnd the
control of its own destiny. On this point l will
quote a passage from an article in the last num-
Der of Erents. a vigorously written organ of the
young Nationalist party published in. Ottawa.
says:
If a treaty could be concluded that would be hon
orable and creditable to both countries. one that
would result in mutual benefit and mutual respect
on the part Of the American and Canadian peoples.
it should be welcomed in this country as n blessing
and as the earnest Of an international friendship;
but there appears to be little hope Of such a treaty
Mt present or in the near future. OF course. 1t is al
most treason to express the opinion. but it is more
than probable that a settlement would be more
easily reached could Canada go to Washington with
her own free and plenipotentiary credentials to ar
range . treaty. Even the Canadian people them
selves or u goodly portion Of them are unduly
jealous OF their interests being sacrificed on account
Of the well-known and often-expressed desire of the
imperial authorities to secure q treaty at any cost.
This is n fairly accurate statement OF Cana
dian feeling on thu matter, as well among
French as among English-speaking Canadians.
One requires to have lived some time in this
country to understand how completely impe-
colonial interests of late years. The sacrifices
that this policy has entailed have been heavy,
and the people are no longer inclined even il
they were in u position to continue to make
them.
The wisest course for the British Govern
ment to pursue at this Juncture would appear
to be to come to some direct understanding
with the. Canadian by which the latter could
trent independently with Washington. without
the intervention of a third, party. The regret
table accident which has deprived the British
Government of the services and experience of
Lord Herschell affords the opportunity for
allowing the next meeting OF the commission,
il it is to take place. to be a purely American
would. be very favorably considered on this
side OF the boundary. and might avert conse-
quences which the too urgent insistence of
alien tutelage is not unlikely TO produce.