The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-03-18
CANADA.
Friction Over the Failure of the High COM
mission-The Reform of the Senate.

Friction over the FAtIure OF the HiRn tOm-
m~ission-The Reform of the Senate.
MONTREAL. March 12.-I learn on good au-
thority that there have been frequent inter-
changes OF communications between the Gov
eminent at Ottawa and the Office Of the Cana
dian High COMMISSIONS in London during the
past fortnight, chiefly relating to the reports
that have reached the British Colonial ONCE
concerning the effect OF the failure Of the High
Commission on Canadian sentiment. Not
outstanding that all the correspondents OF
London journals in Canada described the feel
ing over here as one VI great and keen disar-
pointment. an effort is now being made to Gre
ate the impression that there is great rejoicing
over the fact that the markets to the south
are still closed to the luckless Canadian
producer. 1t seems almost needless to say
that this is very far from the truth, but it suits
the politicians at Ottawa to have 1t believed.
The exports Of Canadian produce to England
have fallen of by several millions OF dollars
during the past three months In spite Of the
efforts made by the Government and private
enterprise TO force sales. Coming at the same
time with the closing Of their hopes that the
coming season would have seen n brisk trade
across the border. the disappointment has been
doubled. and. whatever may be- said 70 the
contrary. there is a feeling abroad that Canada's
only remedy for the chronic unrestin which tho
country Is kept is to assume entire freedom of
action In her relations with other countries.
more TSdp a ari,s Il, with that to the south, mali
ing themselves apparent in many. ways.
At the present moment there Is frietl9n Pc.
tawa and the Colonial Onlce in London. arising
legislation Of the first named. The British
government finds, it's policy, with regard to
p pol,eS o %na 3sEaGG ol ha%pR1srs and G Y b 5as s1s!q nfss,
sure. to, bear on Ottawa to induce the latter to
modify It's alien legislation to suit the exigen-
But the British Colum bia workingmen. who
enriously enough are largely cmigrante from
than faf's " his si,n pol HS,o and IN 'h insist tom on being pro-.
tected against Chinese and Japanese cheap Ia
Dor. This places Ottawa in a dilemma. for Il it
coerces Victoria to please London II may drive
sHS 'of WhIla my i E fails to SAT saSts FS. hondo SsS the
i becoming the fashion to say. is Just a trifie
Meanwhile Sir wilfrid Lauricr is %cleverly
venient Contemplation OF these matters by set
ting his party organs =, at th - the Sena t. The
q Ottawa; been terminating dsmands Tor The
Joined to the eIamor oi the party organs. are
Sir WilfIid VII hasten to sSG,mPly; The
purely partisan body during the twenty.
seven wears that tho nominations to it were
in the hands OF the Tory party. and since the
Office it has exrrcised its power in a p%artisan
manner. At one moment the cry was Down
with the Senate" but the utilization OF con-
verified Tories into the Laurier Govern
ment has led to more conservative views
that will go no further than mending it. In
what way this process will be carried out.
whether in making the Senate elective for life
or for a term, whether by the vote Of the pro-
9 9lHS WhetE isS'''s she Power S1 o ~ n T%nRlsF S0t as
It exists now. with some checks. shall con
tinue, remains to he seen. The chief point of
interest in this matter is the way in which so
great a constitutional change az this will in
volye can be brought about without clashinG
and being used as a step toward the complete
INDEPENDENCE Of Canada from alien control and
interference, a matter, about which nearly
are talking, notwithstanding the pleasant as.
surances OF the Canadian High Commissioner
In London to the British Colonial Secretary.