New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1919-01-26
Canadian Press Is
Favorable to Plea
For Place in League
Montreal Papers Declare In
" dependent Membership
Is Only Just Due for
Part Taken in War

MONTREAL. p. O., Jan. 25.-Cana-
dian newspapers devote much attention
to Canada's application for indie
pendent membership in the forthcom-
ing league of nations. Most of the
leading dailics, including the French,
warmly approve of the demand put
forward by Sir Robert Borden and the
premiers of the other clf-govcrning
British dominions.ss
"The Montreal Star" declares the
demand Will meet with warm approval
among the people of these dominions.
"Such membership will represent
to them the legitimate recognition of
the important part which each and all
of them played in the great struggle
which has just come to close" it
says.
"Membcrship in the league of ma
tions is another of those great steps
toward the realization of the British
Empire as "a league of nations in
itself. The war has played an enor-
nous part in the development of this
conception. Under the terrific strain
which it imposed latent potentialities
crystallized into realities, and Of this
development the end is not yet.
what the next step in this develop
ment of autonomy may be no man can
say. 1t is quite possible that, as the
cables suggest, it may take the form
of demand that the dominions shall
in future have the right to voice in
the foreign policy of the British COM
+hoir ,+o
If that view should be put forward
in due course by the overseas states
men, it is wholly probable it would
be given the sympathetic consideration
that has been accorded their other
legitimate demands. That. however, is
a matter for the future to determine"
"The Montreal Gazette" is not so en-
thusiastic.
"The demand is natural sequel to
the talks at conferences of representa-
tives of the units of the empire held
in past years." it declares. AT them,
as a matter of development Of ideas
which the gatherings encouraged, was
asserted the theory that the ccnstitu-
tional relations of the component parts
Ct the British Empire should be based
on the full recognition of the domin-
ions as autonomous nations of the i'm
pcrial commonwealth. From such
groundwork much could be claimed and
conceded.
Is an Advanced Step
"The demand that at the peace CON
ference the colonies shall have dele
gates sitting as their representatives
on the same plane as those of the
successful. belligerent nations is far
step in advance,
CAS- conditions arc now. the consent
of other powers besides Great Britain
appears to be necessary to the conccd-
ing of the claim. 1t may not be con-
coded. To have the colonies repre-
sented independent of the United
Kingdom and of each other might
present situation in which some Of
them might assert views divergent
from or opposed to those OF the gov
eminent at London; and such con-
dition might make for disruption
rather than union.
"L'Evenement," Quebec French
Canadian daily noted for its loyalty
during CONSUMPTION troubles, says;
at was unavoidable that some day
a young nation like Canada would seek
commercial. We have enjoyed in the
British Empire internal autonomy, but
from the point of view Of external
relations Canada is only a colony, al
though for some years the British gov
eminent has allowed US more latitude
in treaties of commerce"
"L'Evenement' reminds its readers
that the problem is a delicate one for
French Canadians, as they have certain
historic privileges guaranteed by the
crown and constitution. Accordingly it
demands that if the Versailles con
ference is to study the question Of
Canada future status the Fran h
Canadian race must be represented