The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1916-05-28
QUEBEC ELECTION FAMED
RACIAL STRIFE INTO FL AME
French Canadians Assailed for Failure to Recruit,
Tainted With Disloyalty and Cowardice-Revolt
Threatened in Bilingual Fight.

I never was proposed. II may remain the
language OF communication and instruc-
ton during the first " years. n can
be retained as such even later where
circumstance in the Judgment Of tho in
spectors require II. Moreover. after the
first two years. II II in all cases a com
pulsory subject in the curriculum to bo
taught for not more h one hour a
day.
The whole policy. arrived at after con-
siderable thought. was sincerely Intended
TO better the position Of English In
the schools without destroying French.
But unfortunately for the Dominion In
this time of national stress It Is not
80 interpreted by the French Canadians.
who apparently are prepared to go great
lengths in opposition to the authorities.
Where the difficulty will end 1t IL
Impossible at present TO foresee. Al
ready II has shattered the work Of half
a century by the best craftsmanship Of
the country 10 unity the French and
British elements of the Dominion. Since
decentralization days French Canadian
Liberals. like Doriop. and French Con-
servatives. like sir George Cartier.
worked hand in hand with upper Canada
Liberals and Conservatives for the up
building Of the common country on
broad national lines. The language agi-
tation OF the past year has divided the
two great political parties into racial
camps. French ON the one side and
English on the other. For the first
time since he vas called upon nearly
thirty years ago to lead the Liberal
party Sir Wilfrid Laurier finds him
self without the support of the great
bulk OF his English followers on any
single question. Thus far Sir Robert
Borden has been able to maintain the
solidarity OF his administration only
with considerable difficulty.
Nationalist Gnin sire
The net result OF the agitation politi-
callv has been to weaken both Conserva-
tives and Liberals and greatly to
strengthen the hands of the Nationalist.
Sir Wilfrid Laurier, despite his advocacy
of the French cause. has had his hold on
Quebec considerably weakened by MIR
Rourassa. The Nationalist leader. arch
enemy of imperialism. bitter opponent
OF Cauada's part in the war and lead
ing spokesman for French language
rights in Canada is to-day the strong
est personality in Quebec. In English
speaking Canada he Is regarded with
hatred and distrust. Many British
I Canadians believe. rightly or wrongly.
that despite all Bourassa's p~rotcstations
to the contrary his real aim is the
eventual establishment OF a French
Canadian republic on the banks Of the
So. Lawrence. They point to his past
speeches and his attitude during the
war in support Of their theory.
Whatever may he the secre, designs
OF the Nationalist leader. 1t is certain
that he is one Of the most striking
personalities to cross the stage OF Cana
dian politics In tho last half a century
He Is an anti-imper!alist. offering frank
ana open hostility TO all schemes OF
imperial federation. He maintains that
as long as British foreign affairs are
In the hands Of n single Eore!sn Secre-
tary who is not answerable to any
body of Canadian public opinion Canada
has no responsibility for British war.
ana should not he expected TO partici-
pate In them. In his belief the future
ought TO see n gradual development OF
autonomy until Canada reaches the point
when II can bs an INDEPENDENT nation
to he the friendly ally OF Great Britain
II France. the two countries with
which tine races In Canada have
TO do. Apart from his attitude on
imperial questions Mr.. Bourassa and
his friends have a distinct and definite
creed in reference to local issues. Their
hrst love is obviously their race and
religion. and they are ready TO wage
continuous battle in their defence.
See Idol in B~ourassa.
An estimate Of the future of Mr.
Sourassa and the Nationalist creed is a
somewhat difficult task, but their exist
'h'e and the existence OF n distinc,
racial issue have opened up new vistas
IN canadian politics. In the nature OF
thincs Sir Wlfr!d Laurler. who has long
Kept Quebec loyal 10 British institutions,
cannot hope for "A long extension Of his
political career, and when he disap-
pears from the political stage there is
no French Canadian Elijah OF Liberal
ism on whom his mantle may fall. The
French Canadian must rave an idol and
le1dcr, and then may come the real
oawning OF Bourassa's day. French
Canada will not be Tory. blu It may be-
com" Nationalist instead OF Liberal and
return to Ottawa a solid bloc of Ma
tloralist members controlling the destiny
or Canadian politics. Such a change
would produce other developments in
Canadian politics. The Conservative
party with high protection and imperial
ism as their basic policies will probably
hold Ontario and the Liberals will de-
I've cseir main strength from the west.
Al present the western Liberals are
'N' ''O "a vi low ttTlH OtV-
otees. but they are hampered In the
prosecution or their ideals by the inHu-
ence OF the eastern Liberalism. which is
tainted with protcctionisrn. II there mr.,
no Liberals from Quebec and only a
small rump In Ontario and tho maritime
provinces the western Liberals are ukel,
to Inv Off and form an independent pro.
"ressive party. The result would be the
Great ION Of sectional politics for ths
Dominion with all It's attendant evils
Sir WtIfrid Laurier and Sir John Mac
donald were each In turn. by rca-
son Of their birth. character and asso.
cations, peculiarly fitted 10 reconcile
III" divergent Canadian elements into
homogeneous parties, but Mt present there
IL no one In sight in either party pos
Sessod or the necessary qualities 10 stem
the rising tide of racial discord. Seldom
since confederation has the prospects fol
Canadian unity seemed darker.