New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-10-22
CANADA ON BRINK
OF WAR ELECTION
Opposition Chafes at Pre-.
tence of Political
Truce

Toronto, Oct. 21.-1s the political truce
in Canada about to end? Or are the
politicians about to tear off the mask
they have been wearing since war start
ed. for there has been a good deal OF
sham about the so-called truce?
There are many indications that the
electorate is about to be invited to re-
move its gaze from the battlehelds OF
Europe, where its sons are hghting' anu
devote its attention to deciding whether
the Grits or the Tories should be IN
control of the Canadian government
Some saw the test will take place before
Christmas. perhaps within two or three
weeks of the American contest, put tne
weight Of opinion holds to the Deiiei
that there will be another short session
If Parliament, followed by dissolution
with an election in the spring
At the present moment Parliament Is
exi.tine on sufferance. Its legal
term expired September q, but It's
life was extended one year by an a.'
unanimously passed by ltseH 1885, al
sion and approved by the ihpe''''
Houses of Parliament in London.
Government supporters say INC ri ~
,osit;on will force contest. ms
Statement might be regarded as con
fossion of weakness, but the eHect %. Vi
anv such confession, it is hoped VIII II,
no overcome BY the blame wnich VIII
itch N the Liberals If 1t IS mace u
annear they are responsible for pIuhe
10 the country into war eiectioI'
WSer the House meets in January IL 10
nossible the government Will oner "
po,and the life Of Parliament for an
o' 10 80 the issue will then be squarely
nm 70 The Opposition, and 1t would De
Wy crave responsibility in case II de-
lined to accede to any such arrange
rnnrt when frankly offered by the gov
eminent
Opposition May Refuse
The impression is gaining ground, now low.
ever. that the Opposition VIII actuails
refuse any further extension OF rsriia,
ment. They will justify their action Oh
Tho nlea that the present admlnlstra.
ton ia numbering the ground, that IL
has outliyed its usefulness, II II ever
bad anv and that it ought to make way
Cor some one who can better express
and nut into action the war amoitioh9
Of The country. How far such stano
would be accepted by the country ana
its arguments justified Is another mat
ter. l,rJs
Criticism of the government aoouhds,
and IL one can Judge from street talh
the administration is weaker th.h
ever since it took Office. In ontario
criticism centres about the alleged pas
sive policy of the government IN con-
rection with the war. In nearly every
denartment, with the single exception
of Finance. il is contended that there
has been lack of energetic action
which has failed TO satisfy the descend
ants Of the United Empire Loyallsts
and the other patriotic citizens OF On
tario. the dissatisfaction being accom-
named by a suspicion that the govern
ment in its inactivity has been lnnu-
enced by the non-patriotic elements IN
other provinces.
Administration of war departments
which ought to have been OF the hlgn-
aet TYNE. has also been in many IN
stances weak. Mistakes which every
one knows about have been made, ana
while for q long time there was dis-
nosition to make allowances and exer-
else patience on account OF the novelty
81 conditions. in the minds OF many
natience has now ceased to be virtuo'
Coalition Government Needed
Patriots never cease TO regret that a
coalition government was not called
into being Immediately after the war
started. In no other way, they THINK
will it ever be possible TO enforce
stern war measures, such as reglstra-
,ion and conscription, without wnlch
Canada will never be able TO take as
large share in the prosecution OF the
war as it ought to take. W
There is reason to believe that his
ROYAL Highness the Duke OF Connaughl'
who is now sailing from CANADA was
keen that coalition should be orought
about. but where he failed 1t is not
likely that his successor, the Duke Oh
Devonshire. will be able to succeed.
And this also is charged to the gov
eminent. because so far as is known no
effort was ever made by the admin.
istration TO enlist the cooperation OF
the leaders of the Opposition IN the
formation or promotion of its war pro-
gramme.
Two years ago, and even more re-
Gently, the Liberals squirmed when the
possibility of an election was suggest
ed, and cleverly postponed the issue.
While their apprehensions have now
been replaced by boldness, they Will DO
we'll not to underestimate the strength
of an administration which contains
some able and popular men, and when
controls a patronage on scale never
before contemplated in Canada.
Nor should they underestimate their
own vulnerability. including lack OF
leadership. Sir Wilfrid Laurler re-
mains their organizer of victory, and
his head is white with the SHOWS OF
seventy-three winters.
Buys Mattituck Farm.
Silkworth e. Grabie. of Mattituck,