Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1914-12-28
CANADIAN FIGHTS COMMONS
MOVE TO HELP ENGLAND IN WAR
Bourassa Leader of Nationalist Opposes Recruiting
Men for Europe's Observation-Disclosures Sir Edward Oreys
PolicyDecIares 1t Is canadas Duty to Improve Defenses

Liberals. He considers that the most
important service that Canadians can
render to the empire is by peopling
and developing their country, and he
again and again drives home the
point that 1t is foolish for Canada, a
country which has in recent yeare
piled up debt of over 100000 900, 70
be called upon to assist In the defence
of Great Britain, which has succeeded
in the same space OF time In reducing
her national debt by an almost eifili-
lar amount. That was the attitude
which Mr. Bourassa took during the
naval controversy. He has not al
tered 1t since the outbreak of the
war.
AS long as the direction OF the for
eign affairs of Great Britain Is in the
hands OF q single foreign secretary
who Is responsible alone to the peo-
pie of the British Isles. Mr.. Bourassa
claims that Canada cannot have any
responsibility for foreign policy or
the ornaments which are necessary
to sustain 1t. He has always denied
that Canada is burden TO the en-
pire and declares that IL Canada were
separated tomorrow from the crown
of England. even II she became at.
tached to the United States, Britain
could not for that reason reduce her
navy by q chip or her army by q
man.
Leaves ROOM for Attacks.
There are many In Canada who be-
lieve that the goal which Mr.. Bour-
ASA aims at is the complete sever
ance of the tie which binds the Do
minion to the motherland, There is
nothing of definite or concrete char
acter, however, In the writings or
speeches OF the Nationalist leader to
warrant such an assumption. When
the war broke out he was in Belgium,
but managed to escape to England.
and arrived in Canada shortly after
ward. He found recruiting In full
swing, even in his own province.
Immediately he struck diseordant
note by q series OF editorials In his
paper, LIE Devoir, In which he at
tackled the good faith and sincerity
Of Sir Edward Grey, criticised the
triple entente and commented adj
Versely upon the recruiting campaign
in the province OF Quebec. With par
ticular bitterness did he attack the
appeal being made to French Cana.
dlans that they should respond to the
call of mother France. The entire
fabric OF his argument he buildee
upon the idea that as Canada had
nothing to do In deciding what action
the empire should take, she could be
under no obligation to participate In
the conflict, though she might OF her
own free will aid by such means as
were best suited TO her economic and
geographical position.
This attitude brought forth a burst
OF indignation from the press and
many noted public men throughout
the country, and even in some OF the
v1,s,ut influential NJ the French news
papers the Nationalist leader was
viciously attacked.
This stand UNDOUBTEDLY weaken
ed Mr.. Bourassa's Influence In the
English speaking provinces OF the
dominion, and he numbered among
his disciples many who were not OF
his race or religion. But on the other
hand, they have heightened his power
in Quebec and made him the idol Of
his followers. To deny this would be
foolish. During the past week alone
he has been lionized at two monster
meetings OF his compatriots In Mon
treal.