The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1902-12-31
A POLITICAL ACCIDENT

From the Springfield Republican
The active participation Canada in the South African war
epocha Canadian history because the quarrel
with the Beers something which Canadians had no direct
They went into ostensby on the theory that the IN
egy of the empire endangered although that was not
presented ground for Canadian action in the resolutions
which government introduced in the Parliament Prot
Goodwin Smith raises the question why Sir Wlirld
Lauer the Canadian COntngen in his admirable little
pamphlet entitled in the Court History which designed
defend attitude of those Canadians who opposed the war;
particularly Canadian participation therein AS Prof smith has
nerfet mastery Of the controversy between Brion and
needless say that he has difficulty making convincing
statement of the case in its general aspects.
1t is evident however that he does not probe quite down to
of motive Of the Canadian premier i'll helping Eng
land destroy small Dutch republics on another side OF the
earth But first what the peculiar character OF that premier?
In describing Sir Wird natural tendencies Prof smith very
clear and satisfactory That statesman was TO keep out
the war For he the worthy representative OF race
the history of which resembd that of the Dutch in South A
ca In the British oyasts at Cape Colony pouring out their
vengeance the rebels Sir Wd Laurer might the
terparts British oyass Canada Who because they
not allowed to set their feet on the neck OF the
stoned the general and set fire to the Parliament house
Montreal He the heir OF the and principles OF
Papneau he had defended the rebel Louis u with all his elo
qence he had in the past said many things which English 10y
asm did applaud Yet under this enchCanadan leader
ship the Domnan participated in that distant struggle which
Canadian interest really involved.
The OF Sir Wilfrd action will be understood if
the necessities of the party politician be ignored by the student of
Canadian history. He the PREMIER his party in office
The question took this simple and comparatively de-
graded Either contingent be South Africa
Sir Wrd resign 1t generally held in Canada
among the liberals that predcamen that confronted the
mer after the early British defeats was exactly that He was
Frencan; consequently refusal mix in the would have
been interpreted by the opposition sustaining the old English
dsr1st of the loyalty OF the French speaking population the
Sir Wid could have denied this charge of dsoyaty
with TRUTH but politically speaking he would for the time being
have placed his party the mercy of the conservatives and prob
ably have been swept from power Such least Sir Wld
estimate of the situation He chose risk in the
of holding office and he preferred chase the Beers rather than
to have the Canadian tories chase him.
1t has been maintained by certain Canadians who know their
country intimately that paradoxcal may the
Dominion would have kept entirely clear of participation the
conquest of the Beers had conservative ministry been power
with Sir Wlfrd and Quebec in opposition In that the
sending contngen would surely have drawn the fire of the
liberals while Quebec would have risen protest Fearing
the bitterness OF feeling conservative government
would have reaned from pursuing the which French
premier thought necessary order protect his ministry from
the charge Of disOya and proong of office For
conservative ministry would have had charge of doyay
face since the conservatives embrace the bulk of
mperiasts and the majority of the ngshpeang population
Mr. Chamberlain has often claimed of the consp
benefits of the BOer the of Canada sending
troops fight the battles of empire Yet there few who
realize that Canada due to the fact that French
Office and that he chose because peculiar
and history of his in Canada would exposed him
to the charge of doyay and to loss of power had he followed
his natural ncnaton and the natural ncnatons of the liberal
party and the province of Quebec political accident
haps the phrase best suited describe Canadas participation
the South African Yet accident though effects
will be