Evening star., 1919-08-13
Claims Of Canadians.

I'VE did as much as the Yanks our
selves" they used to say. But we
do not say that we won the war;"
The speaker went on to say that
most Canadians realize that Ameri-
cans do not mean I'VE won the war
lust as it sounds. I'VE know that
YOU understand that combination OF
many factors won the war. You are
France another and SO on. But the
fact remains that the feeling aroused
in Canada against 'Americans~by that
unfortunate phrase has put an end
to any demand for closer union
of any sort-at present.
What Canada appears to want-and
to be in a fair way to gets
greater degree of independence than
she has ever had before. The gentle
man quoted is by reason OF his posi-
tion acquainted with the various cur
rents in Canada. A more authorita-
tive Interpreter OF Canadian thought
could not be found, perhaps. He says
that Canada would welcome any tarin
change which might promise to be
beneficial to Canada as well as to the
United States.
I'VE allow certain British goods a
small preferential" he said. But
that is not because of any feeling
for the British manufacturer. but be-
we would get them otherwise. We
are protecting our pockets"
He is very certain that Canada
will not be fitted more tightly into
the British empire scheme than she
is now. Canadians. he said. are per-
fectly willing that Canada shall re-
main a part of the British empire for
the protection and other benefits she
may gain thereby. but the authority
of London over Canada will never be
frnssr IN so y Il
Canadian doubt as to the motives of
some British politicians and a decid-
ed disinclination to permit Canada to
be exploited for the benefit of Eng
land.
"4ard to Understand Mr.. TAFT
That is why we find it difficult to
understand your Mr.. Taft" said the
speaker. when he says that Great
Britain will have five votes in the
league of nations. England will have
one and Canada one and so on
In America we think that the Brit
ishers would stick together" he was
reminded.
Not a bit of it," said he. "It is more
likely that Canadian interests would
jump with those of the United States
than with those OF: England"
Canada has been independent-for
d
time, he said. I'VE have a governor
general appointed from England, it is
true. But that system has it's advan-
tages. We could not get together on
a Canadian for this appointment. Any
how. the governor general has no au-
thority. He does what he is told to
do. If he tried to interfere with
parli3ment-well. the same thing
would happen to him that would hap
pen to King George IL he tried to in
terfere."
There is still another reason why
Canada does not desire closer politi-
cal union with the United States, he
said. Canadiahs are we'll informed on
matters south of the line through
their newspapers. though few pa
pers in the states make a speciality of
Canadian news. That defect is to be
corrected, he hoped. through the es-
tablishment of a news distributing
| service in the United States.
But we read our papers," said he.
land study your public men through
/ the medium of their speeches. And
/ our conclusion is that we had best
paddle our own canoe. For it seems
| to US that most Of your statesmen
could pass through a sand screen with
their wings outspread."