New-York tribune., 1918-05-05
Widening Issue
May Await, Set
tle,nent byDiplo-
macy ofthe Pope,
Where French
Speaking Look
for Guidance.

though little known here. he has for
twelve years past played a great
part IN the, affairs Of the Dominion.
If Sir Wilfrid should ere long stem
out of politics, as he seems anxious
to do, his logical successor should
be Sir Lomer. His assets include
will and tact, unusual eloquence and
administrative skill. While in ex-
ternals a born fighter and rough.
hewn, he has something-not a little
of the charm which has allowed
Sir Wilfrid to retain the respect and
liking of both his supporters and his
opponents. In politics he is very
near that leader Of the Liberals.
with a slight tendency maybe to
view imperialism with a more kind
ly eye.
The three men whom I have de-
scrlbed would add authority and
weight to any Parliament. If tbey
had seats at Westminster thew
would all be popular. And the most
popular of the three would be Sir
Lomer, who is less aggressive than
Sir Robert and more easy of COM
prehension than Sir Wilfrid by the
average Britisher.
No Need to Fear
For the Future
AS to the future of the great
northern commonwealth none need
be anxious, unless the Huns should
win the present war. Should the AL
lies win, all agree with Bonar. Law.
the relations of the dominions over
seas, first and foremost among them
Canada, will be modified. 1t will be
choice between confederation (or
full Partnership on the imperial
lstic plan or independence, with the
odds nightly on partnership. The
Dominion cannot lose much either
way. How imperial federation
would please Rome, who knows9
There have been rumors now and
then of the intention of the Cath
olics of Quebec to form a new rartv
of their own, including the National
lists. They may, however, all be
based on dreams.
1t is more than likely that con-
scripting will proceed from this
time on without perilous friction.
The example of Quebec has not been
wasted. A coroner's jury in that
city has pronounced the recent ac-
tion of the Federal police in it's en-
forcement of the conscription law
unwise and tactless. Apologies and
redress should come from Ottawa.
And meanwhile fully half the 10O,-
600 who were to be drafted under
the terms Of the new military SER
vice act have been rounded I'D. The
rest will follow.
The relations which exist between
the F'rench-speaking millions of the
Dominion, all virtually Catholic, and
the Western and Eastern English
speaking Protestants might be more
cordial if the latter had more pa
tlence and were not so rasping. The
habitonts have their own curious
ways and local customs, which they
have clung to since the days of the
first settlers. To themselves they
seem the only real Canadians, born
on the soil they love, like earlier
generations, and wholly ignorant of
European policies.
Imagine, if you can, a Canadian
Ulster upside down, filed with pa
cific and resigned but glum "Sinn
Feiners." Then you will have a
rough equivalent of the hard and
delicate problem with which Ottawa
and the Premier have to grapple.
The difficulties are immensely in
creased in the Quebec instance by
differences of creed and languages
which of necessity divide the Quebec
"Sinn Feiners" from the rest of
Canada.
Forbearance on both sides is OF
course essential to the tranquility
of the Dominion. What centuries
have done one cannot undo in .
month or year, by force or law.
A great deal has already been ac-
complished by the diplomacy Of Sir
Wilfrid Laurier and the eloquence
of Sir Lomer Gouin, whom the Que
bee folk know and trust. And much
would undoubtedly be done if, by
their words and deeds, the clergy of
the province would teach loyalty
and obedience to their fiocks. The
Vatican, we know, has a long arm.
1t reaches East and West, and
North and South effectively. A few
private exhortations from the Pope
to the Canadian hierarchy might
now be timely. They would filter
through the Catholic towns and vii.
lagos and bring results