Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1902-12-06
Canadian Opinion Practically
United on American Inva-
sion of That Country
ALL WELCOME IT CORDIALLY
Canada Would Be Benefited by Amer
can capitaI-There Is Some Wonder
ment, However, Among Canadians as
to Political Effect of West Being
Filled Up With American Settlers.

Toronto, Ont, Dec. 6.-"What about
the American invasion of CANADA" is
question l have put to many of the
leaders Of Canadian thought and action
in the last few days.
AS to the invasion of Canada by
American capital there is no difference
of opinion. Everybody welcomes 1t
cordially AS to the invasion by Ameri-
can goods and the American immigra-
ton into the Canadian west there are
different opinions In eastern Canada,
which considers itself the real essence
OF Canada.
American capital means more money
in Canada, more factories, more rail-
ways, more DEVELOPMENT, more employ
ment, more trade. The Canadian Is
quite willing to see some of the divf-
dends go to the United States, and has
an idea that in time he will buy out the
works of the Americans. The Canadians
want all the money they can get their
hands on for the opening of their new
country
AS for American goods, which came
into the country to the extent of $780,
100000 last year and give promise OF
coming in larger value this year, there
are differences of opinion. The goods
themselves are all right, but Jack
Canuck hates to put his hand into his
pocket to settle the big adverse bal
ance of trade. He wouldn't care much
about the size of the imports if he was
sending goods to the United States in
approximately full payment of what he
receives. Somehow he thinks that
Uncle Sam doesn't realize what a good
customer Canada is, and doesn't use
Canada as a good customer should be
usec.
As to the new American settlers in
the west, whose numbers have often
been exaggerated. but who really
counted up about 10000 this year alone,
Canadian opinion is divided. 1t is
fact that already some Canadians are
half repenting of their eagerness for
American settlers a short time since.
They are wondering what will be the
political effect Of filing up the Cam
adam west with Americans. They fear
a cleavage between the Canadian east
and west and revival of annexation
agitation. They fear that there is more
than a figure of speech in the talk
about the AmericaniZation of western
Canada.
I sus pect that there are some people
in the Dominion that would rather see
the population of Manitoba, Assiniboia.
Alberta and Saskatchewan set back
some years than see the American set
tiers predominant in those regions.
They don't want any more settlers than
they can assimilate They are deter
mined not to be assimilated by the set
tiers. They hope that immigration from
Europe. especially from the British
Islands. will Offset the american influx.
At the same time, it is felt in this
country that the Americans are the best
class OF settlers for thu new regions,
and a checking of the American move
ment would be regretted by these same
people. They hesitate between the GER
tain material good of the country and
patriotic considerations.
Another and more numerous class
thinks that there is nothing to fear
from any number OF Americans. The
local self-interest of the new settlers
and the natural disposition of men TO
fall into we'll travelled roads and adapt
themselves to existing conditions are
relied upon to make good Canadians of
the Americans. Recalling the fact that
there are more than million good
Americans who were once good Cam
adams, those who take this view argue
that there is no reason why million
good Americans of today should not
make good Canadians tomorrow.
Some who have their fears as to the
success of an endeayor to Canadianize
large masses of Americans, however
successful the undertaking may have
been in such conspicuous cases as Sir
William Van Horne and his successors
In the presidency Of the Canadian Pa
cific, Sir Thomas Shaughnessy, are
quite willing to take chances on the fu-
ture for the sake of the immediate sub
stantial benefit to Canada.
With all Canadians who believe in
American immigration, the fear is that
the movement will fall off rather than !
may keep up. 1t is a hint to American
statesmen that some Canadian observ-
ers are already beginning to predict
that the great irrigation works which
the American government is now be-
ginning will divert American immigra-
ton from Canada before it has fairly
started. This, it is thought, would be
great calamity for Canada, because
Canada can't develop without popula-
ton, no matter how much capital may
be available. 1t hasn't the surplus pop
ulation itself. and not much success
attends its efforts to get 1t from Europe.