The Irish standard., 1902-03-15
THE FOLLY OF CANADIANS.

In previous issues of this paper we
have pointed out to the Canadians the
folly of which they We're guilty in
sending volunteer troops to assist the
"mothcr country" in Staying the brave
Beers of the two South African repub-
lies. We dwclt Oh their insensate jim
goism in Il cause that did not concern
them, and in a friendly way we eau
toned them against the rampant i'm
peralism of the Tory element in the
Dominion, from Quebec to Vancouver.
We told them that instead of antag-
OniZing American sentiment, they
ought to cultivate it; and that instead
of making threats against the United
States and displaying their hatred to
republican institutions they should
for their own good, refrain from CEN
serious criticism and ill-naturcd COM
ments Oh the American people from
whom they are divided by a narrow
boundary line. We suggested that they
cut loose from England and become
an independent state, instead of re-
manning an appanage Of that greedy
empire OH which the sun never sets.
We asked them to cease to be Euro
peans and become Americans, like
their brethren OH this side of the Dor
der. But they have paid no heed to
our admonitions.
When they began sending troops
across the ocean in proof Of their 10y
atty to England, we declared that in
the not distant future they would have
cause to regret their action; for in flu
ture wars with tirst-class powers, Eng
land would call OH them for support
and they would themselves get into
trouble; whereas, il they had remained
neutral they would escape invasion
from foreign powers. We find that
one Of the leading publications in
America-tllc Review of Revews-co-
incides with our views OH the subject.
In the current number it says:
"Canada's participation in the South
African war-a matter which was no
concern of hers, directly or Indirectly
is the most fragrant violation Of the
essence Of the Monroe doctrine that
has ever been committed because it
makes Il precedent under which Can
ada will be deemed by Europe party
to all Of England's quarrels, and
therefore Legitimate fighting ground"
y Commenting on the foregoing para
graph from the American magazine
the Minneapolis Evening Journal
which is inclined to bc pro- British, has
the following to say editorially OIL the
subject:
The Monroe doctrine applies, in a
measure, to Canada as well as to the
Independent nations of the western
hemisphere, though Canada's unfor-
tunate political attachment to an old
world power has kept it from partici-
pating In Pan-AmCrican conferences
and has prevented it from thinking of
itself as being in any degree under the
shield Of that doctrine. The United
States would view with the utmost
States would view with the utmost dis
approval any attack made upon Cana
Ga by an enemy Of England, yet how
difficult it would be consistently to
oppose Il course that the Canadians
and the British have invited through
the participation of Canada in strug-
gle which was in no sense hers The
precedent having been created, we
may expect to see large Canadian con-
tingents raised to assist England In
the event of war between the dual
alliance and the Anglo-,Tapanese nlli-
ance. Canada will then seem to the
dual alliance legitimate fighting
ground. And suppose the victory
should be with it, would not France
be justified in demanding the cession
Of French Canada to herself as war
indemnity? AT this point, of course
Uncle Sam would arise and take in all
of Canada with the cordial approval
of most of its people. And then we
would be drawn into a war with the
victorious allies.
Reflections of this sort show how
short-sighted was the Canadian policy
Of offering to help powerful England
in war with the poor little Boer re-
publics. Had Canada kept out of that