Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-11-11

Canada Sadly
Opposes Action
BY GERALD WARING

~ 0AASAAD V1AsAANO
OTTAWA.-Canadians can take
a certain wry satisfaction from their
governments sad and painful break
with Britain over the Anglo French
Intervention in Middle East HOSTILE
ties. They feel the last lingering
American doubt about Canadian in
dependence should now be set at
rest.
The United States opposition to
the Anglo-French action consti-
tuted a split in Big Three solidarity.
1t was political matter, a rift in
the politico-inilitary alliance which
forms the foundation Of whatever
security we have today.
The Canadian action was, in Q
sense, more than that. Where the
Anglo-American split was compar-
able to deadlock between business
partners. the Anglo Canadian rift
was like an elder and favorite son
turning against his father.
Ties Bind Closely
The sentimental ties which bind
Britain and the overseas dominions
primarily Canada, Australia and
New Zealsn6--are very close. That
is the real strength Of the British
Commonwealth, and strength to
which the on-English-speaking
members contribute very little. In
Canada, for example, there is
marked tendency to accept what
Britain does and says as being au-
tomatically right and good, where
as what America does and says Is
regarded with a coldly appraising
eye.
Yet when Britain and France
and the latter has strong senti-
mental ties with Canada, too-at-
tackled Egypt, the Canadian govern
ment added its voice to those which
opposed the action. It did so re-
luctantly; it regretted rather than
condemned: it devoted its hand and
mind to rescuing Britain and France
from world opprobrium. But there
was no doubt where the Canadian
government and people stood on the
main issue.
Foreign Minister Lester B. Pear
son put the Canadian position well
when he told the United Nations
Assembly: Il confess to feeling of
sadness, indeed even distress, at not
being able to support the position
taken by two countries whose ties
with my country are and will re.
main close and intimate; two coun.
tries which have contributed so
much to mans progress and free
dom under law; and two countries
which are Canada's mother coun.
tries"
That split the Commonwealth
much more decisively and impor.
family than the detection Of India.
Pakistan and Ceylon. Never before
had Canada and Britain gone sep
arate ways on an issue of first mag
nitude. Prime Minister Louis st.
Laurent warned that 1.-THE present
crisis has strained both the Western
alliance and the bonds Of the Com.
monwealth more than any other
event since the second World War"
But there was obviously no truth In
the report, which he himself ridi-
culed, that he was considering Ca
madam withdrawal from the Conn
monwealth.
Commonwealth Is Needed
The fortnight's events have weak.
ened the spirit of the Common.
wealth, but Canada still needs the
Commonwealth. 1t is Canadae
guarantee that. seeking to maintain
her independence, she will not be-
come too closely bound to United
States policy-just as being close to
the United States is her insurance
against being wagged too vigorously
by the Westminster dog.
But Canada could not In con!
science line up with Australia ana
New Zealand in support Of the
Eden governments actions, either
before or after U.N. condemnation
of them.
Indeed. Canada had pressed Brit
ain repeatedly in the months after
Egypt's seizure Of the Suez Canal
to let the U. N. settle the issue, and
to fore-o use of force. 1t ranked
with the government here that Mr..
Eden acted against this advice
without even advising Ottawa in adj
vance. let alone consulting 1t.
The effectiveness Of Mr.. Pesrson's
plan for a U. N. police force is still
in doubt. But If 1t works. II the
belligerents let 1t work, 1t will mini
mize the danger Of war. and the
danger Of the Commonwealth split.
ting irrevocably down the middle Of
the Atlantic Ocean.