The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1903-11-09
Special to The Journal.

Special to The journal.
Montreal, Nov. 9.-The anger
against Great Britain which the Alas
kan boundary award has aroused in
Canada, has caused Canadians to think
seriously concerning their national
future. The fact that Canada Is but
a colony has been brought home to
Canadians in q particularly plain and
irritating fashion. The CALLING char
acter OF the colonial status is felt by
all; and there is a general agreement
that 1t must cease. Some look to i'm
perial federation and an equal partner
ship with Great Britain In national af-
fairs as q remedy. Others look to in
dependence. Some look to annexation
with the United States. Many are
adopting the Balfourian attitude Of the
open mind and are balancing the
arguments in favor of the two latter
alternatives.
The French Canadians are taking a
prominent part in the discussion. La
Presse Of Montreal, which has the
largest circulation of any paper In Can
ada. whether French or English, re-
joices that the plain speaking in
dulged in by the English Canadian
press gives the French Canadians a
chance of frankly discussing Canada's
English-Canadian press having the OPP
portunity to misinterpret their motives
and to sheer at their loyalty. And the
canadians are taking this
chance to do some very plain speaking
on their own account. AS the French
Canada's total population Of 5,371, 315,
they constitute an important factor.
1t comes somewhat as a surprise to
many Canadians to find French Cana
dams declaring frankly in favor of an
nexation to the United States. Sir
Etienne Tache, years ago, made the
memorable declaration that 1.-The last
shot to be fired in defense of British
connection on this continent would be
fired by French-Canadian"; and that
,monplace. The French-Canadians Sc
cured so many special privileges from
Great Britain after the conquest Of
quebec In order to prevent them from
allying themselves with the discon-
tented British colonies to the south,
that 1t has been assumed they would
strenuously oppose the severance Of
British connection In order to retain
these special privileges. But annexa-
ton is being to-day openly advocated
In this unexpected quarter.
''Le Combat" for Annexation.
In its last issue LIE Combat Of Mon
treal declares in favor Of annexation
1t comedies that events have made q
continuation of the present colonial
status impossible, and gives it's rea-
sons for preferring annexation to in
dependence as follows:
Independence q. Q. French Canadian in
dependency would certainly be our ideal
position. But 1t is useless to think Of
that. We are unarmed. The French Ca
madam race, sacrificed by the shortsight-
edness OF the men who marked out it's flu
ture life. is fated to disappear. However
painful that may be. 1t must be admitted :
for it Is useless to shut our eyes to facts
We shall never be independent
The only thing that remains for us is to
annex ourselves to the neighboring repub-
lic Let each Of our provinces be state
and send two sena tors and it's members Of
congress to Washington. We shall then
have complete organization. We shall
not be submitting to any crown; we shall
conserve considerable portion Of our
autonomy, and we shall enjoy large in
dependence individually; and, above all,
we shall cease to be a colony.
The French Canadian race will not lose
more than 1t does to-day in the eastern
states, where our compatriots occupy high
positions in all branches Of the administra-
ton Of public affairs. Besides, no from
tier will separate us from the members of
our families who live in the great republic.
A sentiment Of equality characteristic of
the Yankees will replace the narrowness
of view of the English Canadians, and in
tellectual force, talent and labor will be
recompensed without any question as to
the nationality of individuals.
The general opinion is in favor Of annex
alton; which will come, even If Mr..
Chamberlain opposes 1t.
lie Combat may not voice the senti-
ments Of all French Canadians; but 1t
is the organ Of a considerable section
OF the younger and more progressive
element.
Changes Among French Canadians
A great change has occurred In the
French-Canadians Of recent years.
With the spread of education and the
increased circulation of newspapers,
they are not as much under clerical
transportation facilities have led to
wider travel, and to the broadening OF
ideas. Large numbers have emigrated
to New England. Some have returned
temporarily or permanently, and have
brought back American ideas. The
friends and relatives at home has had
a similar result. The French Cana
dian does not rely on his priest and
bishop for direction in secular affairs
to the same extent that he once did
The special privileges accorded by the
British government at the conquest
were given chiefly to the church. The
ctal privileges in regard to the use OF
the French language and the perpetu-
alton Of the French civil law have
furthered the ecclesiastical policy OF
keeping the French-Canadians q dis
tinct people over which the church
could exercise special control. The