The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1899-10-15
Elements of Complete hde'
pendence in tie Gus
fralian Colonies.
4 Is Imperative That 7bey Be o46le
to Deal Directly With Their
Neighbors-o4spets =
of federation.

IL has continued at intervals for
nearly q generation. II is now
almost forty years since Sir Henry Parkes.
the lately deceased premier OF the colony
OF New South Wales twho was at tina,
date without title and possessed little OF
that enormous influence which he after
ward acquired in Australian affairs). first
urged. In little journal OF his own, says
Sydney Dickinson in the Boston Tran
script, the necessity OF Australian federal
union. Tnirty-ene years ago, i'm a speech
at Melbourne. during a conference OF the
colonies. he remarked that he Thought
the time had even then arrived when the
colonies should be united by some federal
bond OF connection
The idea of an Anglo-American alliance,
however more or less visionary we may
regard Ii from the viewpoint OF our side
OK the Atlantic. Is a strongly grounded
one. not only in England but also In Aus
ra!ia- Expressions OF hope in the realiza-
ton OF this idea were among the first ut
terafices to which l was called upon 10
listen when l landed in Australia some
ten years ago, ana became more and more
intensified and general during the five
years I spent there: So that l have no
hesitation In saying that a considerable
Impulse toward federation may be traced
10 a feeling that the colonies and the
great American republic had many points
OF sympathy in position and In the work
ing out OF their respective destinies; and
that among the incidental advantages at
least or Australian union would be found
a closer drawing together Of the general
race TO which each country owes It's origin
Should this expectation be realized-and
1t seems not altogether an unreasonable
one-it must inevitably result IN bringing
all sections OF the English speaking race
into more intimately sympathetic, as well
as political and business relations: for to
whatever degree Australian independence
may be developed. the country can hardly
be other than friend and a sympathetic
II not an active ally Of England
Australia has received nothing but good
at the hands OF the mother country: she
has never experienced the oppression nor
suffered from the arrogant misunderstand-
fngs which drove the American colonies In
TO successful revolt; but. on the contrary,
she has enjoyed an almost extravagant
consideration in every matter that did not
actually threaten the reasonable nreroga-
tives OF the crown. In many respects the
Inhabitants Of the Australian colonies have
enjoyed degree OF freedom 10 which even
our own people are strangers and II Is not
In human nature to repudiate or antag-
onize without strong reasons the source
OF these benefits. The people OF the col
onies, although they hold for their motto,
Australia for the Australians" and have
only in a lesser degree than ourselves a
love Of Independence and a thirst for free
dom, will not In this. nor in many sue
ceeding generations, outlive their affec-
ton for England; and IL they accomplish
the destiny that seems within their reach,
and become an influential power among the
nations. II Is only reasonable to believe
that they will impress this sentiment upon
other countries, especially those who use
the same language and trace their begin
nfngs back to the same source
1t IS not denied that many delicate points
are to be handled between Australia and
England before the new confederation is
definitely established The scheme OF fed
Grafton. as II now exists Is the most rad
zeal proposition that has ever been offered
to England by any OF her dependencies.
and although In general terms the pro-
posed innovation In government places the
colonies some what In the position OF Cam
ada. Il gives in many important and some
vital respects increased powers to Aus
fralia. That Australia should demand these
powers Is Inevitable from her geographical
position. II for no other reason Prom
inent among the radical changes from the
present order OF things which may be tx
pected Is the establishment Of an Austria
Han supreme court or court of appeals,
thus doing away with the present irksome
and increasingly uncomfortable feature. as
far as the colonies are concerned OF the
English privy council. which. sitting 1900
miles distant, settles all judscia! questions
that may b. brought before It.
The near presence Of France in New
Caledonia and OF Germany IN New Guinea
and. in view OF recent events may in
clude the participation of the United States
in affairs ~ the South esas-makes Il seem
to some minds imperative that Australia
should have the ability 10 deal directly
with other powers where her local inter
ests are concerned, ana even TO negotiate
and confirm treaties. As natural se-
quei OF this contention arises the necessity
Of uniting the colonial military forces under
a common control. and directing them by
commanding officers OF native affiliations.
instead Of by men sent out from England
as at present. As matters now stanf the
forces Of the separate colonies although
individually among the most efficient troops
In the world form 50 many indepefds Mt
armies. and could not b. amsigamsted into
one body for THE common defense nor
placed under control 81 one absolute lead
er. A to naval equipment. the colonies
~ present depend ainles, wholly upon the
forces OF England. bu: should federation.
finally develop a separation from Great
Britain. 10 ia no, 10 be doubted, In view
% the energetic ard resourcefui character
81 the AustralianS that they would soon
begin The construction 81 a navy of their
own. Whether Aust-aIls Is prepared 20
secure freedom from F.ngiish control at the
price q giving Up English protection is
ar t--,- question