The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-09-19
THE ELECTIONS IN Canada.
BOTH PARTIES ENGAGE IN ENER-
GETIC CAMPAIGN.
Forecast of Results Indicates n sor-
tfnuauce Of Liberal Government,
Though Conservatives Are Claim

Special Dispatch TO the Post-InteIligeneer.
OTTAWA. Sept 1T.-There is an unusual
amount of speculation being INDUCED IN
throughout Canada, just now. as TO the
probable outcome of the electoral cam
paign upon which both OF the two great
political forces IN the Dominion have
now entered with extraordinary vigor
and determination. Both parties are
equally confident Of success. and. being
pretty evenly divided, the indications. at
present. all point to the approaching
struggle at the polls as promising TO de-
velop one OF the bitterest and most close
ly contested of any federal campaign
since Confederation
This situation Is not the result of any.
vital question AZ issue between the con-
testanss. but arises from the fact that
Conservatives are putting forth almost
superhuman efforts 10 regain power and
the prediction OF the average Canadian
to politica, excitement. For over a CEN
fury Canadians have been as n people, so
ardently political and stalwartly PARTS
ian that IL was long ago said and is sim
maintained that there is more politics
to the square foot in Canada than to the
square mile in other countries.
The question that is most engaging
public attention here at present Is what
each party can count upon in the appeal
TO the country this fall. The most san
guine expectations are held on both sides
and 1t may, therefore. not be inappropri-
ate at this juncture to give a brief fore
cast OF the general result Of the coming
elections. as viewed from an indepen-
dent standpoint The Canadian capital
IS the best quarter from which TO feel
the political pulse-beat OF the country.
as in Ottawa the work of organization
Is controlled and from this city the cam
paign is directed.
Forecast of Result.
The existing government came into
power with majority OF about thirty
and this margin was steadily increased
until II had reached fifty-eight on party
division. During the past four years
forty-five bye-electfons have been held,
OF which forty-two were won by the
government, several seats being captured
from the opposition. This record -
taken as proof Of the governments pop
ularity which. together with the unusual-
" prosperous conditions prevailing
throughout the country, inspires a wide
" felt belief that the government will
on the other hand Conservatives rely
upon two important factors to bring
them success in the present campaign
the serious division between the French
and English electorate. over the govern
ments action IN respect to Canada's
participation in the South African war
In their party which. It is claimed,
brought about the defeat OF the Tupper
administration in 1886
The total number OF members In the
this number ontario contributes 80; Que
bee, 65; Nova Scotia, %: New Bruins
6: p. f. Island. 5, and the territories A.
Ontario now gives majority of twelve
Liberals. and which Will probably be
maintained OF slightly diminished at the
close of the next general polls. In Que
bee the Liberals have an overwhelming
plurality OF forty-one over their oppon-
ents and Il Is expected that this adj
vantage will be subject TO little change
IL Is expected that New Brunswick.
which Is now represented by majority
OF two Conservatives, Will reverse the or
der to a Liberal margin OF the same fig
ure. Nova Scotia now sends a Liberal
majority Of three members 10 pariia-
ment. which II is anticipates viii be IN
creased by two more. In Manitoba. the
territories and Prince Edward island, re-
cent events have tended 20 cast a dark
shadow over the liberal prospect. while
in British Columbia the political situation,
by reason Of local issues. has became 50
muddled rs 10 render II exceedingly
doubtful that straight government sup
porten can he elected in that province.
from a not optimistic liberal view point.
the above review OF the political situation
shows that the probable result Of the
Forthcoming elections will sustain the
present administration In Office by mar
row majority
Apart from the over-confdent prediction
Of Sir Charles Topper that he will sweep
the most rea sonsble as well as the most
hopeful Conservative claim Is that they
will carry the whole country west OF
Lake Superior: that they will obtain a
majority Of ten In Ontario: that they viii
come 20 Quebec with n sufficient margin
TO nuiiify any advantage that the latter
province Will give fagrter and that the
maritime provinces VIII decide the event
and place the Conservative party in pow
or with a small but workable majority.
Independent observers. however, who
have no particular party ieanings but who
are IN close touch Wifh party leaders on
both sides here snd who have formed an
opinion from a study ~ the political SIT
uafion. as u appears IN Canada today.
incline 90 the view that, "a there "a no
pronounced popular dissatisfaction man
Tested against the Iaaurier ministry. and
no important national issue ~ fiscal poll
cy az stake in the present election con-
test public appreciation Of fauriers en-
aeavnrs 10 give good and progressive gov
eminent 20 Canada and the undoubted
success which has attended bis efforts IN
that direction. IS sufficiently strong 10
insure him a renewal ~ the peoples con-
Hherce and return him 20 power
The present election campaign IL OK
rerted 20 be a short bitterly fought but
decisive one n the liberals win again.
ID undoubtedly means a long period -
government In this country for fheis fu-
ture position during ne coming term VIII
- rendered 80. secure that under or
binary rirruulrfa noes 70 wgN 30 inpossi-
ne - ousi them from power for years
- come. N abe Conservative Eucceef.
the same conditions vii follow fH com
sequence ~ this outlook. e - n0i sur
rrfslna that she most desperate Efforts