The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1916-02-26
FRENCH CANADIANS
THREATEN REVOLT


ia wa out OF the hands - the Separate
school Board and appointed a on,mis-
sion TO govern them instead. The result
OF thisa action WIS the point blank refusal
OF French Canadian parents to surrender
their schools. clashes with the new
commission and near riots with the
police. The commission. however. man
aged TO obtain control OF the funds of
the old board. but this only 'ntensi-
ned opposition. the French pupils 10
the number Of 5000 going on strike
and making daily paradcs Of the streets
or the city with banners upon which
are inscribed W want to enc our
mothers language"
In the past fortnight the agitation has
gathered force with the rapidly of a
wh'rlwind. Mass meetings have been
held. meetings addressed by men high in
church and state, demanding the repeal
" regulation II. Huge delegations led
by Paris priests have invaded the OF
tawa City Hall demanding that French
Canadian school taxes be handed over
TO them and not 20 the Government COM
mission. Leading French Canadian
members Of Parliament have given sane
ton and support by voice and pen TO the
movement and have urged from the plat.
form that the Federal Government In
t%erfere. A letter signed by the leading
French Canadian clergy of Ottawa adj
r.sed their people to withhold support
from the patriotic fund and to subscribe
instead To the fund watch is being used
To night the Ontario Government. one
prominent priest, the Rev. Father Guer.
TN. advised his congregation from the
pulpit to refrain from enllstlng until
their demands FOR the right t. teach
their language unreservedly In the
schools were granted. on Thursday last
o.oOO children marched to the steps OF
Parliament and presented Sir Robert
Borden with "a written request to enlist
his influence with the Ontario Govern
inen' on their behalf.
Church and Liberals Join.
In Quebec powerful clerlcs like Car
dinal Begin and Archbishop Bruchesi.
bitter extremists like Henri Bourassa
ana Armand Lavergnc. have united Ia
support OF their O.tariU h!nsncn. Hut
they are not alone In this support. The
Legislative Assembly OF the province
went Enthusiastically on record Yesterday
as standing behind The night for French
rights or privileges in Ontario. and 1t is
tl.s aspect OF the case. the fact that Il is
not a hight against IA few %ratepayers IN
Ontario but a fight agains; the cherished
sentiments OF 1000, 600 people Jealous OF
tnelr language and their religion that
makes the question a challenge to the
best brains and craftsmanship.
one OF the most om.nous effects OF the
agitation is that upon reN-ult!ng. Those
french Canadians who believe that
Canada has no particular right In this
war are furnished with a powerful lever
t. keep their people from recruiting
ds pots. The result IL that EN-. IN
the province OF Quebec is not as great
by long odds as In the English speaking
provinces. This is regarded as all the
more reg'cttable in face of the fac. that
some OF the most heroic deeds OF
Canadian troops on the battlefield have
been performed by those OF French ex-
traction.
Thus far the Ontario Goyeramen, has
stood hrm in it, resolve to maintain the
obnoxious regulation. Its attitude must
~ part be attributed to that section Of
the English people OF Ontario winch sees
IN the growth o. the French race and
language In canada. AID especially IN
Ontario. a grave peril. That Ontario Is
and must eina an English speaking
province Is a nrst principle with these
persons. They are willing Though with
none too good n erace) TO let Quebec be
t~'rerc!r. but propose to concede nothing
further. The empire roush by people
Of English speech mus; no; be under
mined.
Others. represented by many able and
Nigorons journalists and orators Of both
races. say that French, being one OF the
two languages recognized In the Federal
Government. cannot be- ignored by a
pTONiace, and That Il IA an Injustice To-
deprive children % an opportunity 10
learn their mother tongue. Another
group favorS a compromise. II is In
iuencsd less by appeals u the Constitu-
ton than by the fear that u the agita-
ton is permitted TO continue without set
'einsnt there will be stirred up in
Canada q feeling which will initiate f,-
Years to come against the progress and
welfare Of the dominion.