Evening star., 1900-12-17
OUR DOMINION NElGHBoR
An Interesting Talk with ME-. Blihu
Stewart, who Tells Some
Good Stories.

Starting I'm snow storm N Ontario.
a distinguished Canadian government Of
f1cial Mr.. Eihu Stewart OF Ottawa, ar
rived in Washington a few days ago on a
flying trip concerning the development OF
Canadian resources and trade with the
United States, in the matter Of wood pro-
ducts Of all kinds. from the slender sapling
to the finished article in any Of a. thousand
classes.
Mr.. Stewart has been active In dominion
politics for many years. and has been promi-
nent among the supporters Of Sir Wilfrid
Laurier. Last year. in the bye-elections. he
was urged for the house of commons by
the dominant party, and was on the point
of accepting the honor for his home district.
when the larger field of dominion chief
inspector Of timber and forestry was OPEN
ed to him, and he then became one Of the
leaders at Ottawa in the internal develop
ment OF all provinces in the federation.
The vast extent Of her Britannia majes-
tvs possessions In northern America Is little
realized by a mere glance at any map. but
some incidents recounted by Mr.. Stewart,
give an idea of the magnificent. distances
with which the Canadian Is familiar. One
of the most interesting "reminiscences, refers
to Lord Strathcona and Mount Royal, who
recently gave signal proof Of his loyalty
to the queen by raising and equipping. en-
tirely at his own expense. complete BODY
Of Canadian cavalry, 800 strong, for service
against the Beers in. South Africa.
Lord StrathcOna's Wild Ride.
"Nearly three score years ago Lord
Strathcona came to Canada from Scotland
az Donald A. Smith, said Mr.. Stewart,
land proceeded directly to the northwest
territory to seek his fortune. He rose in
the service rapidly, becoming chief factor
and commissioners, and showing satisfactory
inrfd
energy had attracted attention far beyond
the limits of his work. In an exciting cam
paign, when the balance OF power was a
question which agitated the dominion lead
ers more than ever before, Donald Smith
was taken up on his own personality and
elected by a bare majority to the house of
commons from one Of the western con-
stituencies, in which he had been making
his reputation.
1--WE need your vote the victorious par
tisans sent word; come on with all pos
sble speed. Now, Lord Strathcona has al
ways been man of energy; but even TO-
day, with greater opportunities for showing
his love of country, he has never given
greater proof of 1t than he did then. Hav-
Ing lived in those bleak, wind-swept and
cheerless stretches Of mountain and forest,
he knew the task before him In travelling
from the Saskatchewan river to civilization.
He made the preparations for the trip in
minimum Of time. and started with the best
horses at his command. Day and night he
ishment
There were no railroads, no teegraphs,
in those wildernesses, and judging from
the time consumed in receiving the message
from the government leaders at Ottawa, Sir
Donald realized the responsibility resting
upon him should government measures
meet defeat through lack Of his vote Like
the "iron Kitchener" results were all that
were desired. the means to that end imma-
teral. One horse after another succumbed
to the fierce rate of speed and when the
future lord reached Ottawa he had a record
of thirteen horses killed from forced riding
But he gained his point by arriving in time
and saving the crowns pet legislation from
defeat.
This feat marked the man for future ad-
vancement. After the government had failed
to build the Canadian Pacific railroad the
work was intrusted to company In which
he became the leading figure. He was soon
after knighted and later raised to the peer
age. being now Canadian commissioner to
England, though still retaining home In