New-York tribune., 1902-07-20
NEWFOUNDLAND AND CANADA.

The question of the annexation OF Newfound-
land to Canada is again to the fore. with at
least possibility of settlement. II is the chief
current issue in insuar politics, G we may call
that issue upon which practically all are
agreed. The prime ministers Of the two coun-
tries are discussing the matter in practical
fashion during their present visit to London,
and it will not be surprising if an annexation
measure shall be framed for ratification by the
people OF Newfoundland within the next twelve
months. The only cause for surprise is In the
fact that England's oldest colony and her
greatest colony have for so many years held
aloof from each other, to the disadvantage and
loss Of each and of the whole empire.
There can be little doubt that annexation
would be of practical benefit to both parties
Newfoundland has long been in somewhat
straitened circumstances. The development OF
her resources has been task too great for her
to perform unaded. She has struggled along
with debts and difficulties, at times in danger
of bankruptcy or of a receivership in the form
OF crown colony administration. At the present
moment she is enjoying some relief, but she
has no assurance of real and lasting prosperity
without incorporation into the Dominion. On
the other hand the Dominion would gain much
from the acquisition of the island. The shores
Of Newfoundland command the entrance to the
St Lawrence, the Dominion's great gateway of
Atlantic commerce. They ought to be much
better marked with beaeons and other signals
for the safety Of shipping. Newfoundland can
not, of course, be expected to do such work for
the benefit of Canadian commerce. But If it
were done, as it would be under annexation
the advantage to Canada would be enormous
From the point of view Of strategy in imperial
defence, the ownership of Newfoundland by
Canada is obvious. Foreign and hostile pos
session OF the island would mean the throttlng
of the Dominion.
Annexation would have an important bearing
upon some pending controversies. The North
Atlantic fisheries question in which the United
States Is deeply interested, would thus be trans
formed from a complex triangular problem into
a simple two sided one-a change which might
or might not be to our advantage, but which
would surely be TO the advantage OF Canada
The Dominion would have to annex the French
Shore controversy along with Newfoundland
That dispute is now, however apparently on
the way to a natural and happy ending, and its
progress thereto would probably be facilitated
and expedited through the influence of the large
French factor I'm Canada, and especially through
that OF the French Prime Minister OF the
Dominion. The debt of Newfoundland would
have to be assumed by Canada, and 1t is pro-
portionately a heavy one, amounting to $50 a
head, instead of only $50 head In the Dominion;
but two-tbrds of ii is represented by the New
foundand railroad, which would be acquired by
| the Dominion In annexation as valuable asset.
With the ore party overwhelmingly In favor
Of annexation and the other certainly not ayerse
| TO IT, and with annexation 80 manifesuy to the
| advantage Of both, we may reasonably expect
| that the change WIN not be much longer de
| ferred The effects Of IL will not be inconsider-
| able 10 the United States, while to the British
| Empire, especially In North America, they will