New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-10-23


periaI governments proposal for colonial aid toward
the royaISnavy IN men and funds Is the formation
OF a local naval corps. 20 be used primarily for
home defence and when Canada approves OF the
cause OF the quarrel 70 reinforce the imperial navy
The organization OF this brigade has been how
ever. hanging FIRE for the last two years. A BIZ
was introduced into the Canadian Parliament IN
1908 and IN 1904 20 create It. but on both occasions
Il was Withdrawn for some unoxplained rsason
and the matter Of Canada's naval defence IL now
no further advanced than when Premier Laurter IN
1902 claimed that she could protect her own shores
The Newfoundland naval reserve IA To Ia the
model for this corps. because the fishermen Of the
maritime provinces are much akin in habits and
industries. Climatic Conditions also affect both
considerably. THEFT whole coast line "a icebond IN
winter, and fishing rendered impossi5Ie foT nearly
nve months Therefore, the training OF ths mea
IS undertaken during the slack season, and their
duties reServists do not interfere with their
work as fishermen. The Newfoundland reservists
in the warships during the winter. and are back
20 [ resume nshng IN May; This avoids any inter
me colony. and also Is an advantage to the
W~l4teI ana nreak IN the recruits under the most
Iavorlng conditions. while to the young fishermen
they receive. and in the event Of var the fsct
that the whole ocean around Newfoundland is
ships there to protect the trade or cable routes,
enao!eS both ships and reservists to concentrate
important
Canada might profit quite as fully as Nevvfound-
land from this movement. especially as her COM
merce is so great to bespeak the need for some
board and the fishermen thereon being affected
as directly. like policy should yield good-re-
organized. is not to have the opportunity Of slg
inc Brltisn warships. unless BY some future COM
promise, there IS room for doubt to the results
likely to be realized The men to be trained
some sea drill in the fishery and revenue cruisers
or in DECEASED waTships obtained from the Adj
ing received In the modern naval hghting ma
t tE qongslde tne actual ngnt1s men owing
British and FRENCH sguadrOns every summer war
snp l t are qu{e IaniIiar TO the NewtouEd!anders
they are rarely seen IN Canadian ports except
Halifax. where they assemble at intervals
INADEQUATE CANADIAN PROTECTION
That separate Canadian naval force Is the
agency adequately to defend Canada's coast line
and. approaches in war time may well be doubted
The Australians and New-Zealanders have fol-
lowed NewfOundlands example and allied them
selves with the imperial navy. Yet Canada. with
interests tenfold greater. holds herself aloof Her
exports have increased IS per cent in the last SIX
years, and she has thrivsn few other countries.
But she has made no effort to protect this enlarged
volume Of exports. nor can the scheme OF local
@ t a9T Ss ps aceePIed as az az adeGGaes rev
weapon against well equipped enemy, fog none
other could seriously threaten England.
The bearing Of this matter of naval defence upon
the question OF revival OF the Atlantic fisheries
to put the sereyS oT tI AnericR F re 10
or these fishing operations is the Grand Banks and
the waters that wash the coasts Of Newfoundland
and Nova Scotta-the very area wherein all OF
Canada's oversee commerce IS conducted. From
the Grand Banks, through the St Lawrence gulf
and river. is Canada's national waterway. and
what a small part a purely Canadian navy could
play III defending the ST. Lawrence route and pa
trolling the danger areas beyond. where Canada's
ocean shipping could be struck at and her COM
raerce tmpeTillEd, the veriest tyrO can fOreteE
The answer which the United States would make
to any Canadian attack upon her fishing interests
would, Of course, be dictated by the Justification
in treaties and territorial rights which Canada
would have for such action. But II the United
States were disposed to be bellicOse, or to
sent too arbitrary course of action by Canada,
IN the earlier stages OF the Alaskan dispute, 1t is
has not man, gun a ship to uphold her posi-
tion but would have TO fall back upon England for
the means 10 assert her claims and make them good
by force OF arms, H necessary. 1t IS difficult to
understand how the otherwise apparently 5hreWd
and f9rseeing statesmen OF Canada could have
overlooked completely one of the essential fac
tors in this prObeul-the defenCeless condition OF
her seabOard and approaches from the Atlantic
ind the with which a hostile fleet could sweep
that coast and cripple her commerce.
Newfoundland would be a benefit 70 Canada IN
many respects. but the possession might prove
curse, were It to be elected FOR the purpose or
''cornering the United States. for In order 20 at
tempt this the Canadian authorities would need 70
have some show of force. whereas now IL would
appear that so far the Dominion herself is con-
cerned she is completely DOwerleSS 10 help herself
and IL she sets up any claims must the help
of the British navy to maintain theHe-the same
British navy toward the efficient Upkeep OF which
she declines TO contribute man or dollar.