The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1903-04-11
CANADA.
Tho Dawn Of Patriotism.

MoNrRnAL. April s--Nothing more mark
edly illustrates the change OF sentiment In
this country on the subject Of Imperialism
than the recent utterances OF public men
In dealing with the result OF the Imperial
Conference held In London Last year and
with the subjects discussed at II. All the
glamour and excitement, amounting almost
to hallucination, that seized certain poll
ticians here seem to have passed away
with the ending OF the South African war.
Speeches that during the period OF loyal
emotion would have been received with
bowls and brickbats are now listened to
with calm and frequently with approval.
The profits that were expected from Cana
da's participation in the war against the
Boer republics have not accrued. while
the obligations incurred toward Great
Britain In moments OF exuberance are be-
ginning to prove embarrassing in many
ways. Fortunately for Canada. the too
pressing insistence of the London Colonial
once affords the Government at Ottawa
the opportunity to oppose. with the sup
port OF the Opposition and the moro indie
pendent members. the attempted encroach-
ments on Canadian rights OF self-govern-
ment.
Commons at Ottawa on the attitude OF the
Canadian delegates to the Imperial Con:
ference in London some important end
highly interesting statements were made
that reflected great credit on the Australian
and Canadian delegates for the firm stand
they took. especially In the matter OF the
proposed suspension Of the Constitution
pressed that Mr.. Chamberlain had not gone
out to South Africa to study its conditions
before instead Of after the war Especial
| stress was laid in one speech on the nece--
sity OF entire publicity being given to the
and nothing being done to commit Canada
at all events, In any way to secret and ad-
venturous policies.
Much emphasis was also laid on the
determination OF the Canadian people not
handing over Canadian money to the British
Government to be disposed OF free Of Cana
dian control or to raise troops for Great
Britain's foreign wars. 1t was also made
clear that any expenditure resolved on by
Canada should be solely for Canadian de-
fence, and not aimed In any way against
| the United States; and approval was ex-
pressed Of the idea that the Notifications
| Of the Atlantic and Pacific coasts should be
taken over and maintained and garrisoned
by Canada.
The treatment OF the Canadian contingent
sent to England at the time Of the corona
| ton came in for animadversion. as also
the sacrifice Of Canadian interests to the
| too obvious desire OF the British Govern
ment to concinate and gain the friendship
Of the United States. One OF the last points
In the long list OF Great Britain'e short
comings toward Canada was the disallow-
ance Of the British Columbia immigration
act. In connection with this matter an
extract from a speech Of particular signifi:
canoe made by Mr.. r. L. Borden. leader OF
the Opposition, when in British Columbia.
was quoted. In II he said:
Il venture to think that 30 far as this
Province is concerned. and dealing with
the question Of disallowance OF your stat
utes, there is no imperial consideration
which should prevail against your views
or your wishes. as there was no imperial
confederation to prevail against similar
legislation In Australia. Tasmania, New
Zealand and Natal. Why was not the Natal
act disallowed2 And II there be no answer
TO this question. why should the Federal
authorities disallow your act?'
In summing up his speech on the subject
OF the Imperial Conference Mr.. Bourassa
invited all Canadians to unite for the pro-
lection Of Canadian interests against those
Of any part OF the empire. even Great Brit
ain. Strange to say. there were no mani.
festations OF dissent from this patriotical
Canadian appeal: a very different state OF
mind evidently prevailing now compared
with two and three yeap ago.