The sun., 1919-09-16
SOLDIERS DEMAND
$4,000 BONUS EACH
Agitation in Canada Involves
Gratuities for 100000
Enlisted Men.
Special Corresp ondence to the Canadian
Section of THE SUN.

Special Correspondence to the Cdnadidn
Section of THE SUN.
TORONTO, Sept. ia new economic
problem of first magnitude has been sud-
denly thrust upon the Canadian people
by the agitation of section of the re-
turned soldiers for a cash gratuity Of
$4,000 each for the entire 100000 or
more enlisted soldiers and sailors Of the
Canadian forces. The agitation came to
head suddenly a few days ago on the
refusal OF Premier. Borden to grant a
royal commission to look into the ques-
ton.
There has been a movement for this
grant for some tima. but when 1t was
turned down by veterans convention
at Vancouver some weeks ago II had
been thought II would not again take
active form. Premier Borden may not
have been tactful in his refusal of a
commission of inquiry: at any rate. the
fat was in the fire speedily. Mass meet
ings were held In Toronto during the
week, at which considerable violence of
language was heard, and there was
enough enthusiasm and earnestness to
show that the demand for some further
action had strong support among some
Of the soldiers and a section of the gen.
eral public. By the end of the week II
was apparent that the Ottawa Govern
ment was at least ready to reopen the
question in order to prevent further
spread of agitation and discomfort
Those who opposed the idea of fiat
$4,000 grant to each man did so on
strong grounds of financial soundness.
but in the fever of last week among
the veterans, at least those whose voice
was heard, 1t was like rowing UP stream.
1t Is long time since SO much strong
talk was heard, and 1t seemed to be
the outpouring of pent up. feeling by
men who believed they had a grievance.
This city which has sent over 10000
men to the war and has given most
generously for their support and COM
fort, has been torn with emotions, and
even yet opinion is probably far from
settled or crystalllZed. 1t was pointed
out that to grant the full request OF
the Returned Soldiers Gratuity League
would involve an expenditure by the
Dominion Government of $500, geo, 600,
or a sum equal to the whole of this
years appropriations for the Dominion.
and about two-thirds of the entire cos,
the war to this country. Inasmuch
as fully half of this years Dominion
expenditure will have to be borrowed
and that with difficulty. II present signs
or Victory loan possibilities are depend
able. the best well wishers for the SOL
diers. who think 1t out are anxious as
TO where any such SUN might be raised.
Furthermore, there IS reason to believe
that great majority of the returned
soldiers are already in employment and
doing as well generally speaking as the
other citizens of the country.
The soldiers reply to this is that
after four years absence they are handj-
. capped In returning to employment
compared with those who have worked
throughout that period, and further in
the interests Of good citizenship they
| ought 10 have ready capital to set UP
a home. They also point to the high
wages made by many aliens who
! stayed at home and made munitions
while they fought for the defence of
Canada. So strong has been the feeling
by some OF the leaders of the agitation
| that they have threatened from the
platform to drag out every opponent
Of the proposal and make him explain
in public why he is opposed to the
grant.
| Mayor T. L. Church Of Toronto. who
has been persistent champion of the
| soldiers, presided at the leagues big
mass meeting in the Arena on THURSDAY
| night, and Endorsed the extremists de.
mand- though he was not very clear
how the money would be raised. One
suggestion has been that it be taken
: out of the indemnity Germany is ex-
! pected to pay Canada, but, as the
amount ~ this has not yet been fixed
nor the means of 1t being raised made
clear, this is somewhat unstable
material upon which to base a claim OF
this size.