The Appeal. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. ;) 1889-19??, 1902-08-02
AMERICANIZING OF THE CANADIAN
- WEST. -
Remarkable Leader From a Mani
tOba Paper.


Canada's fertile areas Of farm land this
spring has been a subject of much COM
ment throughout the dominion, and here
in the West has resulted in feeling of
buoyancy and increased faith in the great
future awaiting this portion of the Brit
ish empire. ...... .--.
1t is conceded that the impetus given to
the West by these land operations is al
most entirely due to the arrival of the en-
terprising and shrewd Americans : who,
ever on the alert for new fields to con-
quer, have: crossed the line and found an
empire Of vast resources at their very
threshold, awaiting only capital and en-
terprise to develop it and make it what
nature intended it should be-the world S
granary. s,rsi sz.s T.. sE-essssS IL ,
While Canada welcomes with open arms
the arrival of their Southern cousins, the
glad hand has been extended mainly be-
cause this movement has improved bust
ness generally, while it is also a pleasure
to have the English-speaking race the
predominant element among new arrivals.
There is, however,, another phase to be
considered in connection with the move
ment from the United States. At present
large blocks of land are being sold to
American companies or capitalists, and it
is the intention of these investors to sell
these tracts in smaller areas to actual
Settlers Within the past few weeks
areas equal in size to a whole province
have thus been disposed Of, one deal re-
sulting in the transfer of 100000 acres,
or a territory greater than Prince Edward
Island province, being sold to United
States buyers, while there is scarcely a
day that transfers do not take place, and
the number Of acres sold in this way al
ready reaches the millions. g., -
When this state of affairs IS viewed
from a Canadian or national standpoint
ttsassumssse qI1fte a, .di ffefent hass:s4g-A
| conservative estimate OF the movement
of actual settlers from the United States
this year places the number at $4,000
souls. This, however, is but the first
wash of a great wave extending north
westwards from the great republic, and in
ten or twelve years we believe we are
safe in saying that 100000 to l, 100000
people from the United States will have
made their homes in Manitoba and the
territories This means that the combined
Canadian, British and miscellaneous pop
ulation will be outnumbered by ratio
Of perhaps 3 to 1, and of course the
effect this will have in questions of polit-
ical interest to Canada will be of great
/ Importance. The majority Of the United
States settlers are not taking the oath
of allegiance to King Edward because
they are not demonstrating their farms,
but are buying from American COLOMBIA
ton concerns and therefore do not have
to take the oath as would be the case
were they taking up public land. 1t
Is true that they will not be entitled to
the ballot unless the oath is taken, but it
is not to be expected that a majority of
a population intelligent and well-informed
would tamely submit to being ruled by
minority. The present war in South
Africa is the direct outcome of such a
condition of affairs. It is therefore the
duty Of the government at the present
time to enact legislation making it neces-
sary that newcomers taking up land an
der the present system, either securing
public lands or buying for settlement,
should be compelled to take the oath be-
fore they are given clear title to their
property. 1t would be no hardship to
the new arrivals and it might save much
trouble in the future.
Western Canada must look to the
United States for the sources of it's prop
er and rapid development. Ontario and
the other Eastern provinces have fur
nished us our best blood, but it is
evident that the outflow from the East
cannot continue as in the past. Eastern
men Of money are slow to recognize the
business advantages of the West, and in
fact it appears that by a great; many
in the East we are regarded as a portion
of the dominion that has to be tolerated.
British capital, while it has helped build
up the states has neglected Canada, with
Ine result Inat To-Day the Dig republic
has become an important world power
and is casting about her eyes seeking
new possessions, and as the enormous
possibilities Of Canada are becoming
more known, Americans, naturally con-
slider the advantages of having Canada,
and particularly Western Canada, under
the folds Of the Stars and Stripes We
do not believe for moment that there is
any plan formulated or being worked
out directly with this object in view, and
we are well aware that many people will
pooh-pooh the idea, but at the same time
what unsurmountable obstacles would
there be to prevent the United States an
nexing Manitoba, the territories and Brit
ish Columbia in, say 1912, If 20 or IS
per cent of the population of those prov
inces had not taken the oaths of alIegi-
ance and were residents of Canada while
citizens of the republic and with their
sympathies labeled U. So Now is the
time to deal with the matter and our
legislators should see to it that the laws
are SO made that actual settlers cannot
work for the interests OF foreign gov
eminent except as rebels or revolution
ists.-M anitoba Liberal