New-York tribune., 1917-07-29
The Situation in Canada
And Its Reverberation in the United
States
By ARTHUR J. LALIBERTE

Ny point in taking the defence Of the
French Canadian element Of Quebec is not
to try to prove that they are right in op.
posing conscription any more than their
English-speaking fellow citizens ! am Of
the opinion that, although voluntary enlist.
ment has been a real success in Canada, il
is unquestionable that only the. warmest
blooded and full hearted have answered the
call of duty toward right against might; the
rabble have carefully avoided coming for
ward and naturally are at present yelling
furiously against a measure that will fore,
them to come out Of their lairs and be men.
The above is directed only against those
that have no special obligation, such as, for
instance, being family supporters, etc. II
is indsputable that conscripton Is the one
and only democratic way OF getting every one
to share equally in the common duty toward
the world, civilization, his family and HIM
self Yet it is not to be doubted that should
a referendum be taken the measure would
be voted down, and voted down by just such
as insist that their rights should be safe
guarded, but arc determined that others
shall foot the bill, be it in blood or treasure.
say that it is most unfortunate 10 witness
the nationwide opposition, and yet the peo-
pie, the common people, must not be too
severely called % account, as they know full
we'll that conscription of the blood alone is
meant by the bill, and not at all the con-
scription Of the wealth of the nation. They
know Of the countless parasites who have
suddenly grown rich and are still piling up
millions on army contracts, with no llkeli-
hood Of the government being anxious TO
step in, force them TO a showdown and
make them do their share, as is being done
in this country.
Sundry inquiries conducted during The
past year have revealed the fact that men,
bers Of the government have shared in the
general "war prosperity" The people know
If many cases OF fayoritism to friends OF
the government, and indeed they as whole
must not be condemned too harshly. In their
opinion things have come TO the point OF
"sauve qui pedt"; foolish or exaggerated re-
ports as to the hidden meaning Of the bill
have got them in q panic, and although
every clears gnted man knows that coward
ice IN q few braillards is one Of the phi
mary causes against the movement, II must
be granted that, as things stand, the govern
ment owes it 20 the country TO lay It's cards
or the table and at least let it be known
that IL will equally distribute the hardship
and sacrifices on both the army Stacker ana
the war profit grabber.
Should revolution Of the masses come 70
be in Canada the reverberation on the people
at large in this country will, to say the least
be unfortunate and frsught with the greatest
danger, coming as it does az this time
Despite some unavoidable friction ana
many precious hours wasted in empty Con-
gressional debate, the United States govern
ment, having understood the fut.lity and un-
democracy Of voluntary service, having also
benefited by the mistake Of our allies
seems now ready to push ahead in busi-
ncsslke sort Of way. Z would be desra
Bile that the American people be put right IN
their understanding Of the Canadian sltus'
tion and the most forceful efforts be made
to that effect by both the press and the gov
errment itself. Otherwise % there net
imminent danger that when the worst comes
to the worst with our northern noighbor
the responsibility will not be placed on the
really responsible parties, TO whatever race
or creed they may be.ong, and avoid the IN
eyitable boomera@B Of the unreason Of the
people at large? j. must be borne in mine
thai il is not fair TO load up the French
Canadian with al the odium, which, to say
the least, must be shared alike by the bulk OF
Canada's population.