New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-01-16
THE WEARY TIT4NS' AIDS.

The opinion is expressed here and there that
the self-governing British colonies have made
serious mistake in offering to help and in actual
~ helping Great Britain in her war with the
Beers. We quoted the other day a declaration
to that effect by the editor of q paper at Sgd
ney, New South Wales, who lamented that
thus Australia had practically abandoned her
independence At about the same time we
were assured by a former member Of the
Canadian Parliament, whose observation is
comprehensive and whose judgment is usually
sound, that the Laurier administration was
doomed to a speedy fall, partly because by
offering troops to Great Britain 1t had
set a precedent for involving the Dominion IN
all British wars 1t may be worthy of notice in
passing as not devoid of explanatory signif-
canoe that the Australian editor quoted Is an
opponent of the present British Government
and a sympathizer with the Beers and that
the Canadian statesman has long been in favor
Of the Dominion's secession from the British
Empire and annexation to the United States
In disappearing the giving of colonial aid to the
empire, therefore, they are both entirely con-
sistent. The question is. How many colonials
are of their way of thinking?
We must say frankly that we cannot see
much ground for our Canadian friends state
ment No doubt those Canadians who like
himself, favor entire separation from Great
Britain do regret and resent Sir Wilfrid Lau-
rier's action, because that action has strength
ened and not weakened the bonds between the
two countries. But they are not sufficiently
numerous to be reckoned the people of Canada
They are only a fraction Of one party. Per
haps their detection from Sir Wilfrid in the
next general election would assure his defeat
But so would the detection of those who are
displeaSed with him on other grounds. We are
inclined to think that where he loses one vote
because he sent troops to aid the mother coun-
try he will lose half dozen because by raising
the Lynn Canal claim he prevented a settle
ment of all controversies and the establishment
of mutually advantageous relations between the
Dominion and the United States. There is,
we think. a pretty general feeling in Canada
that reciprocity in trade with this country would
be worth good deal more than port on Lynn
Canal; and realization, too, of the fact that
while TO secure the former is possible, to get
the latter is far outside all bounds of reasona-
bic hope or practical expectation AS for the
simple question Of aiding Great Britain in this
war we believe the overwhelming majority Of
Canadians Of both parties approve Sir Wilfrids
! action.
The same may be said of the Australasian
colonies. All the colonial governments have of
! fered troops for service in South Africa and
there is no indication anywhere of popular dis
approval Of that course. The colonial Parlia-
ments, or all of them that have had anything
to say upon the subject, have enthusiastically
approved it, without any division on party lines
In the Queensland Parliament the leader of the
| Opposition labor party seconded the Prime
Minister'S motion expressing pride in the con-
duct of the Australian troops In New-Zealand
the Prime Minister, Mr.. Seldom, is a Radical
| off St Vet bo OF fbo
propose sending troops. His course has since
been popularity ratified by an overwhelming
majority in a general election, and in both
houses of the new Parliament there is only one
member opposed to it. If 1t was "a grave error
to send troops to South Africa, as the Sydney
editor declares, we must certainly reckon it one
in which the people of all the Australasian col
onies are implicated.
That it error is. however something
of which we are by no means convinced. It IS
idle to talk Of the colonies having thus aban-
doned their independence for they had none TO
| abandon. So long as they recognize the British
Crown as part of their Government-as they
all do and are likely to do until far beyond our
| time-they members Of the body of the
British Empire; and while those members may
be independent of each other they are by no
means independent of the whole In a most
one Of them looks to the Imperial navy for de-
fence at sea. If they thus enjoy the protection
Of the British navy, why should they not con-
tribute to the strength Of the British army?
Nor is there any better ground for the com
plant that the colonies have set a precedent
which will involve them in all future British
wars Is 1t TO be supposed that If the colonies
should hold themselves neutral in Brit
aims wars their neutrality would be respected? ?
No dream could be more idle Were one Of the
great Continental Powers to fight Great Brit
ain and to get the mastery at sea its first move
would be to seize the British colonies, and all
the professions of neutrality the latter might
make would not in the least deter 1t. There
| could be no security whatever In holding aloof
! from Great Britain's wars; there can be no in
crease of peril in taking part in them Whether
/ ii be wished or not, the British Empire as a
whole and the individual autonomy of its parts
/ must all stand or fall together. And 1t seems
reasonable, therefore. TO reckon that the wisest
course for the parts to pursue Ia to give their