The sun., 1919-06-03
by c. o. sTILLMAN,

NJ " VI SlhLLhANt
President Imperial OIL. Ltd, Toronto.
Written especially for the canodian Ssctio,
Of TIE suH.
The request of THE SUN that I sci
down some impressions of trade condi.
lions In Canada at tho present time and
the prospective commercial relations be-
tween our country and the United States
conflicts with ones life long policy "a
avoid public discussion but the critical
and fateful period through which we are
passing, and the very laudable innova-
ton of THE SUN in inaugurating an in.
ternational commercial page may, per-
hape. justify this initial and amateurish
departure from an established rule.
At the moment Of writing tho eyes OF
all Canada are fixed upon the clash be-
tween respective sections Of the popula-
ton OF Winnipeg and western Canada.
Although Winnipeg IL undergoing the
paralysis OF general strike 1t would be
q misnomer. 1 think, to refer TO the
troubles there as specifically conflict be-
tween labor and capital As the issues
involved have become more clearly de-
fined It is obvious that the goal OF q
considerable percentage of agitators in
western Canada Is not better working
conditions but the substitution OF their
own authority for the existing order, and
that TO attain this objective labor, both
organized and unorganized, are being ex-
plotted
The turmoil and conflict attendant
army and the sudden cessation of mu-
milton manufacturing. So. the Inevitable
season Of readJustment and reconstruc-
ton, have been seized upon by certain
elements as strategic moment to
achieve tho greatest possible measure
OF industrial revolution with themselves
as dictators. Although when so much
of the world Is being remade and his
torio changes In its political structure
are occurring overnight war weary Can
ada finds itself in the throes Of an evolu-
ton of new ideas and principles, there Is
no lack OF faith that the spirit which
carried the country through the long
years OF war win not fail to achieve a
satisfactory solution of the great prob
lens OF reconstruction. There could be
no greater mistake than the misconcep-
ton, which may possibly have arisen
out of press dispatches. that the dreams
OF Soviet or of political revolution OF
any character have been INDUCED in by
any but a handful of extremists. largely
of foreign birth, in Canada. As olse-
where, II is those who made no contri-
button whatever to the war for the free
dom OF mankind who are now seeking to
take advantage OF this period OF the
worlds convalescence TO establish new
form OF despotism.
Labor Not Evenly Distributed.
The most serious aspect in the indus
trial situation in Canada is the fact
that while the scarcity OF commodities
is almost entirely the basis OF unrest. the
general disposition is to diminish rather
than TO increase the supplies of the
necessities of human life and progress.
This of course Is neither peculiar TO
Canada nor Is II as marked in this as
in some other countries. The output
both of the farm and the workshop was
stimulated by the war, and
the crop prospects for Canada---so far
as they may be gagged at this early
date--are very reassuring. The anomaly
OF many rural communities IN being al
most denuded of labor while considerable
exists in the centres OF
popula tion. presents itself here as else
where. hut this appears to be unavoid-
able and perhaps necessary stage In
the period OF reconstruction. As to the
future of this country, there
is probably less doubt among your
readers than in any section OF the world
outside OF Canada itself
In that wonderful trade expansion in
North America during the war Can
a da 5 part and portion was far greater
than its relative population would indi-
cate In every industry thee was a
marvellous development and what was
en- more important, realization by
re Canadian people that they could be-
ONE a great factor in the worlds COM
.nerce. knowledge, vision, initiative
and courage came to commercial Can