New-York tribune., 1900-11-15
QUEBEC AND ANNEXATION.

The Liberal Administration in Canada, which
has just secured a new lease of power, has re-
versed the traditions Of its party in several i'm
portant respects We have hitherto remarked
upon It's abandonment of its former idol of
Free Trade, its becoming more imperialist than
the Conservatives, whom Liberals used to con-
denim for their Imperialism, and similar radical
changes either Of faith practice. There is
still another point on which an equally marked
change Of tone is apparent namely, the ques-
ton of annexation to the United States. The
Conservatives used to reproach the Liberals
with being annexationists, and the Liberals did
not altogether deny the Impeachment. Ger
tainly the annexation sentiment in Canada, so
far as il existed, was almost exclusively con-
fined to the Liberal party, and those in the
United States-they were never particularly
numerous-who desired the incorporation Of the
Dominion into this Union were wont to regard
the Liberals their friends and the COnserva-
tives as their opponents. Yet when, four years
ago. the Liberals at last gained control Of the
Dominion Government step was taken tow
ard annexation but on the contrary, the Lib
eral Government has manifested a decidedly
anti-annexationist spirit. It has been friendly
enough toward the United States. but 1t has
| been even more inclined than its Conservative
predecessors to emphasize the line Of political
tries. At this some surprise and chagrin have
been expressed by those few sanguine souls
who thought a Liberal victory would mean
speedy annexation, and the question has been
mournfully asked by them why the Liberals
should so grievously have disappointed their
cherished hopes.
The answer is found in a single word-Quebec.
In that province lies the bulk Of Liberal party
strength. Without its votes the Liberals could
not have gained office and could not hold Office
for a single day. Naturally, therefore, Liberal
policies are largely determined-we might say
dictated-by the wishes Of the people of Quebec;
and the face of Quebec is set a flint against
annexation. Upon the face of it that might
seem strange, seeing that Quebec is the least
British Of all the provinces Fully four-ffths Of
its people are essentially French the people
of France itself, and the French language
as their mother tongue If not their only tongue.
You may travel far in some parts of the prov
| ince without hearing a word Of English meet
| ing one who can understand 1t, save in some
| shop where the sign English spoken here Is
| displayed. And the people are as solidly Roman
| Catholic in religion they are French in race.
| Yet it is not merely in spite Of but because Of
| these very facts, and especially because of the
| latter that they are opposed to anything like
| annexation to the United States and are In
| tensely loyal to the British flag.
| The explanation of this seeming paradox is TO
| be found in the constitution and laws of the
| Dominion The French language is officially
| recognized as the national tongue coordinate
| with the English. Speeches are made In il in
| Parliament, judicial decisions are rendered in
| it, and all laws proclamations and other nublic
| documents are written and printed in IT. Simi
| larly the Roman Catholic religion is ofticiaIIv
| recognized, and State schools under exclusiveIv
| Catholic control and instruction are nrovidod
for all Catholic children Thus the four.fftbc -
the people Of Quebec who are French and Catb-
olics are never made TO feel that they are Iiv,no
| elsewhere than In French and Catholic conn
| try. mat such Will be the case so long as ,bov
are under the British flag they feel assr-od
| That 1t would be the case under the StorS on5
STRIPES they have no assurance on tba con-
traFy they are practically certain that II would
| not be- and could not be. And that Is p,bv tho
Archmshop Of Quebec, for example excIairs
God forbid that the question Of onnaxation
SHOULD seriously arise. and declares that If II
| should the French Canadians would "do tbotr
duty ms loyal subjects OF Her Britannia
Majesty" In this there is, of course not tho
suspicion OF reproach to the French Cana.
dlans On the contrary their attitude com.
mands unqualified admiration for its logic and