Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-10-08
THE FUTURE OF CANADA
DOMINION MAY BECOME AN INDIE
PENDENT REPUBLIC.
Annexation Declared to Be Impossible
Unfair Treatment Given
as the Reason.

from United States journalist represent
ing syndicate Of leading newspapers OF
that country for a statement of what 1t
conceives to be the position of Canadians
on the question Of their national future.
Our correspondent says that he cannot
understand the refusal of the Canadian peo-
pie to countenance the suggestion that they
should join the American Union. We are
pleased to have the opportunity of stating
our views briefly for the enlightenment of
our CORRESPONDENT.
First, what are the national aspirations
of Canada? Canadians expect to develop
their country along the lines already laid
down into strong, self-contained, pros
porous and pOpulOuS nation They expect
to remain permanently part of the British
empire, which will probably take the form
IN the near future of confederation OF
sovereign states rather than continue the
present relation of motherland and colonies
Should the empire disintegrate from eX-
ternal shock or internal disSens ions, Canadl
would unquestionably take her place among
the republics of the world under a flag OF
her own. Twenty years ago Sir John A
macdonald declared more than once that
Canada had only two alternatves-to re-
main part of the empire or join the United
States. That may have been true then but
1t is not true now. Since then Canada has
grown enormously in wealth. and more i'm
portant still, in national feeling. 1t is I'M
doubtedly anxious to remain a portion or
the British empire, but failing this If will
become an independent nation II would
not, under any circumstances, consider for
a moment the suggestion that it should
throw in its lot with the United States.
No Annexation Sentiment.
There is no sentiment whatever in Canada
IN favor of annexation. 1t is not even a
subject for academic discussion. There
was time when, the country being still in
the experimental stage, many weak-heart-
ed Canadians thought that the scheme of
Canadian confederation would fall, and
tnat our destiny was to be Incorporated
at an early date in the United States
These doubters are either dead or they
nave plucked up a little more courage. We
never near from them nowadays The chief
reason 1or the absence of annexation feel
ing is the remarkable growth in national
sentiment which has taken place of late
years; and the strong resentment felt by
canadians at what they regard as persist
emily unfair treatment by the United States
mas mad great deal to do with the rapid
development Of this sentiment. The fact
that 1t might. and probably would pay us
IN financial sense to join the United
States has nothing to do with the question
canadians are a commercial people eager
10 increase their wealth, but they will not
let financial considerations affect them in
an issue in which their honor is engaged.
Ihey propose to keep the name of Canada
on the map as that of a distinct nation
atty. To do that they have made many
sacrifices in the past, and are prepared if
necessary, to repeat them. If it could be
demonstrated to every elector In Canada
that annexation would treble his wealth,
and pebiscite on the subject were taken
Immediately afterward, the affirmative vote
would be insignificant.
Hostility to United States
AS to the attitude of Canadians toward
the United States, there is on the part of
considerable section of the people a strong
feeling of hostility toward that country.
Much of this is hereditary Ontario and the
Maritime Provinces were originally settled
by loyalists from the American colonies
who lost their all by reason of their deyo-
ton to the crown; and the next generation
of Canadians had to defend Canadian soil
against an invasion by the United States
troops. Hereditary antipathies arising
from causes such as this die out slowly, as
is instanced by the anti-British feeling of
many Americans who come from revolu-
tionary stock.
The anti-AmeriCan feeling in Canada due
to these causes, has been added to by tn,
resentment caused by the commercial policy
OF the United states, policy which, 1t is
believed on this side of the line, was DELHI
erately adopted with a view to squeezing
us into joining the American Union The
extent of this feeling might however. be
easily over-rdted. 1t is discouraged by our
wisest leaders Their advice to Canadians
possible of the United States but not to
cultivate a feeling of hostility toward that
country. Sir Wilfrid Laurier, speaking in
parliament within the last SIX weeks I'M
doubtedly gave expression to the feeling of
the majority of Canadians wnen he said.
Sir, our relations today with our Ameri-
can nelghborS are friendly; they were never
more SO, and l hope they win continue For
my part never made any secret of it
nave the greatest possible admiration for
the American people. 1 have always adj
mired their many strong qualities But I
have found during the short experience
which 1t has been my privilege and my for
tune to be placed at the head of affairs by
the Will OF the Canadian people that the
best and most effective way to maintain
friendship with our American neighbors is
to be absolutely Independent of them"
Canadian Development.
Following out this policy, Canada is ex-
tending her railway systems, improving her
internal water communication developing
her seaports. keeping her trade in her own
channels and cultivatins business relations
with the outside world. The result is that
we are to very much greater extent than
formerly commercially independent of the
United States; that is to say. no action by
the American Congress could now repeat
the damage that was done to Canada by the
passage of th1Driginal Mckinley bill Mat
tiers will probably remain they are for
some time to come. Yet despite of our Gus
toms laws and the governmental DISCOURAGE
ment of reciprocal trade, there is vast and
constantly increasing commerce between
the two countries; and ultimately this will
be too much for the politicians We shall
see in time, and perhaps in the not very far
distant future. more friendly commercial
relations between the two countries; but the
political destinies of the two lands lie apart