Evening star., 1941-07-06

The vital importance TO this country
of good relations with Canada is one of
those truisms which cannot be too often
repeated. One of the constructive ef-
forts of the war has been to emphasize
the value of this relationship.
Opinions differ about the significance
of events in Europe, Asia and Africa for
the future of the United States. There
is more, but still incomplete unanimity
on the desirability of consolidation with
the Latin American nations. Closer CO.
operation with Canada, however, is de-
sired by virtually everybody, in all of
the 48 States. Economic, political, cul-
tural and military considerations COM
bine to forward this objective.
AS result there has been almost 100
per cent approval for the three notable
steps whereby the Roosevelt admins
tration has laid down and implemented
its policy of integrating Canadian
American relations. Taken together,
they constitute an impressive and far
reaching program.
The first of these steps was taken by
President Roosevelt more than a year
ago before the outbreak of the present
wan. Receiving an honorary degree at
Queens University, Kingston, Ontario,
on August 18. 1888, he foreshadowed the
action which has followed by saying
that the people of the United States
will not stand idly by if domination of
Canadian soil is threatened by any other
empire
Resources Modified
Exactly two years later, few weeks
after the German conquest of France,
formation of the permanent Canadian
American Joint Defense Board was an
nounced in the Ogdensburg agreement
of President Roosevelt and Prime Min
lister Mackenzie King. From this agree
ment has developed the large amount of
military coordination made effective by
the two governments in behalf of con-
tinental defense.
The third step. not yet three months
old, is the Hyde Park declaration of April
20, whereby Mr.. Roosevelt and Macken-
zie King further agreed as a general
principle that in mobilizing the re-
sources of this continent each country
should provide the other with the de-
fense articles which it is best able to
produce and that production pro-
grams shoulS be co-ordinated to this
end" Various steps to make this dec
laration effective are now being taken.
1t is to be emphasized that the basis
of these military and economic accords
was laid down we'll in advance of the
outbreak of war in Europe, And it would
seem certain that the new and intimate
relationship which has been created will
remain in being after the war is over.
Whatever the outcome of hostilities in
Europe, Canada seems destined to
emerge from the war a stronger and
more developed nation.
If Great Britain wins, her most popu-
lous and powerful self-governing do
mlnlon will share in the privileges as
we'll as the responsibilities of victory.
If Great Britain should be defeated, the
defense of Canada would be assured by
the United States and it is probable
that large part of the imperial func-
ton. both political and commercial,
would come TO center in the nation to
the north of us. If the upshot should
be a negotiated peace, Canada would
lose nothing and would emerge from
the conflict with her economy and pres
tige strengthened by her vigorous war
effort
Reports to the contrary notwithstand-
ing. the Canadian war effort has been
vigorous, sufficiently so to command the
respectful admiration Of all who have
made any real study of the subject.
Army Expanded to 100000.
A regular army which consisted of
only 4,50O men at the outbreak of war
has been expanded, entirely by volun-
tary enlistment, to a force of almost
100000, of whom about 10000 are now
overseas Simultaneously the pre-war
militia of $4,000 has been increased by
conscription to a reserve army of 175.-
600, subject to home defense service only.
A pre-war naval personnel of $500 has
similarly been expanded to 1850, while
the air force now numbers $4,000 with
another $4,000 to be added during the