New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-08-12
CANADIAN INDEPENDENCE
FRENCH PAPERS IN THE DOMINION AD-
VOCATING IT
WARNING THAT THOUSANDS OF "INDEPEN-
DENCE BUTTONS" HAD BEEN SHIPPED
TO CANADA, AND SOME SEEM
TO HAVE GOT IN

Montreal Que, Aug. II (speciaD.-Ths subject os
Independence for Canada is at present receiving
a good deal OF attention from the press through
out the Dominion. the French journals particu-
larlY giving up much of their space to sober and
careful discussion Of the matter. the prospect Of
its ultimate realization and the probable results
II the strands which bind the greatest Of the colo
MES to the Mother Country should become dis
solved. The English speaking editors are more in
cined to treat with ridicule any movement looking
to either independence or annexation OF the Do
minion TO the United States. and to deprecate thu
advantage that would accrue 10 Canada BY pulling
away from Great Britain
The following which recently appeared in La
Presse," French daily journal published in
Montreal which enjoys a very large circulation
and to whose words great deal of weight at
taches. may be said fairly TO represent the sent-
Gent In Quebec Province and the views entertained
in some portions Of the other provinces:
Public sentiment is hostile to the independence ~
bllty of independence is generally believed in
The fruit is not yet ripe enough 70 be detached
from the tree without violence Independence
would procure for the people of Canada incalcu-
keeps the country In evident condition o. in
Ierlorlty, No one has seriously denied that Can
ada, independent. mistress Of her destinies, pTJ-
IDENTIFY guided In the path OF internal Developments
wealth since 1851 If glance is directed Up6n ne
American towns which are separated from
69gent oS me % the truth OF TINS becomes ap
This independence we were well in the wav Of OBJ
tanning, without friction, without violence, and
grafton different fears turned our public men
from this bold step. which they believed the new
State should take without apprenticeship
in self-gOvernnent IN It's fullest sense But Who
blame the fathers Of confederation? Would not
separation from England have PLACED Us at ne
have been but a dependency, incapable OF defend
Ing ourselves ,5 Ives pI9Jse'o[s1e Kept IN PgRase dur
time still less ania5le than they are to-day
that Canada would share fraternaiy in ali the al
vantages possible to an immense country which
Powers first rank of Importance. and from which
nit that American capital would be the dis
posal OF all the resources OF the country. and
which aids hrsJ Of ali and naturally its own cOun-
trymen our eomPatriotS confined 70 agrleGl'ITe
euniary means TO enable them to compete in indus
All these considerations have already been placed
before the eyes of French-Canadians; but they
tude of their religious and natural weI5eing. ana
that that sufhced them The status quo is the
we'll political absorption by Great Britain as ad-
the path OF an Imperialism which yields in nothing
to the tendencies Of the present Cabinet OF St
fbe two american Imperialism would receive the
preferences over British Imperialism
The foregoing excerpt is in close accord with the
views Of the Hon ]. 1. Tarte. Dominion Minister OF
Public Works, expressed in public speech recent
Iy delivered in Paris. whittier he has gone Cana
dian Commissioner to the Exposition
ProHiacs IS proved by letter W6ich reSeRed
Montreal from Paris last week from Canadian
whose home in this city. He stated that
than hundred thousand buttons. attractive in ap-
pearance. nicely gdsd and bearing the inscription
Independence Of Canada" had been manufactured
there and shipped Canada; that another large
consignment would be made and that hum
dreds of persons not Canadians might De
wearing them IN the French capital
II unable to learn continued this man "1y
whom the buttons were ordered, to which port OF
entry they have been shipped the location OF the
factory where they made. The impression
seems 60 prevail here that Canada is chahng under
the yoke OF British rule"
This bit of information has impelIed the English
press TO sound a note OF warning 10 the customs
officers exercise due vigilance in preventing these
buttons from reaching the persons 10
whom they were consigned. Despite whatever pre-
cautions have been taken If any. however, 10 -
not uncommon TO buttons answering the De.
scriptiOn sent from Paris worn on the lapel OF
MOntrealers' coats.