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Las diagrammas suivants illustrant la mAthoda. 1 2 3 1 2 3 4 5 6 *««OCOPY RiSOlUTION TEST CHAJT (ANSI and ISO TEST CHART No. 2) ^ .APPLIED IIVHGE '653 East Moin Street Rochester Ne. York 14609 USA (716) 482 - 0300 - Phone (716) 288-5989 - Fo, 'J. . ft ij,-'. •/ CANADA'S POLITICAL RELATIONS WITH THE EMPIRE. /■ <^tf '/ a.Acc'- A^v^- Canada's Political Relations with the Empire ADDRESS DFXIVERED BV MR. C. H fXHAN KC Ml KiHK THk CANADIAN CLUB. AT B()Sr()N\MASS. ON hR-i i vli^^^^^^^ TUESDAY. JANUARY 30th. 191 ^'•'^''^^' "•* Mr. Chairman and Gentlemen: The recent Federal Elections in Canada were decided, in a large measure, upon the issue presented by the late Government in regard to the commercial relations of Canada with the United States; but the deci.si.)n rendered by the electors of Canada was not altogether due to a careful balancing of the financial advantages or disadvan- tages of the adoption or rejection of the proposed commercial agree- ment; it was al.«o, in a measure, the natural result of the develop- ment in the minds of the Canadian people of the National idea, of the consciousness that they have become a Canadian Nation, endowed with a distinctive National character, permeated with a vigorous National life, vested with National responsibilities, and, withal, masters of their own National destiny. ^ It was one of the ironies of fate t^at the Government of Sir Wilfrid Laurier should have suffered defeat because the National spirit of Canada was aroused over a commercial issue, which he and his colleagues had placed before the country for the very purpose of avoiding the supreme political problem which must sooner or later be solved, the problem of reconciling Canadian Nationalism with Imperial Unity, the problem of moulding the virile National instincts of the Canadian people into harmony with their traditional aspi- rations to maintain their political connection with the British Empire. In the opinion of many shrewd political observers there would have been, in 1911, no question of reciprocity in trade with the United States, if the candidate of the late Government had not sufTered an unprecedented and overwhelming defeat in the Federal By- Election in the District of Drummondand Arthabasca in November, HMO. Tlml ronstituenoy had h.cn tlic liomo of Sir \Vilfri(i f,aurif'r in hiM purly niiinhiMul, the scctic of h\s earlier pnife^siomil itnd poli- tical triiim|)hH, ulwavh lii-* eotisixtent : iippurter tlirouRhoiit his active political life, and always prou.l cf flie fli^tinction which it had long enjoyed by reason of the fact that the etiiinent I-iberai leader had been its distinKmshed represeiitati\e in the Provincial I.CKislut\ireand in th." Fech'ral Parliament and had always rnaintaincdhis country residence in that distrief. Hut despite all this, and despite the personal appeals of their r|ii,.ftain, the electors of Driimrnond and Arthabasca doonieil (he candidate of Sir Wilfrid Lanricr to iRnominious defeat. Tl..a defeat was apparently (piite nnexperted. ft filled with ' (Hsternution the ini/ids of the premier antl of his as-sooiatPH. and it inspired with ho{)e the ranks of his [lolitical opponents. Sir Wilfrid I-aurier's naval [xilicy had been rep;i(liated in a constituency of his own selection, in his own stn.nnliold -f (Quebec. The old-time bleus orconservatives.ledbyMonk and Nanid.and th( r of the Nationalist poUtical movement in the British North American Colonies. 'b I'pon fill' DrKiiiiizjitioii ..f ilic ( anii'liurj < '((iifi-dcrary, thosi' < 'oloiiit'H 11.-SI1II1III ('(iiii|il*-li' ii>piiti'iliility f«ir tlii' r.iii^iriK iitnl I'xpi'H- ■ liturc «)f thi'ir own nxniiic*. tin- atrati(>ti 4if their own |»ublic "crviccM, thi' itc\('ii)priit'iit of tlifir own industrial utui cointncrcial in.stitutiDiis Hiiil the constniitioii of tliiir nittTtial ways of c tninui- iiicution; liiit, l>y tli.' [iu;Iand we have I.ecorne a people, "al)le fntrn our iniion, our strenulh, oiu- |)opulation, and the develop- "ineiit of our ro.sourees, to take our |io-itiou arnon« the Nutiori.s of "the World, T 'uland would he le.^s willing to part with us than .she "would he now, when we are liroket! u|i into a numler of insigni- "ficant Colonies." "Our future projiross," lie added, 'durinu the next (jiiarter of a "century will he \a.stly u.<:iter. .\iid when hy means of this rapid "incrca-se, we liecome a nation of .iuht or nine millions of inhabi- "tants, -nir alliance will lie worthy of heiiiu sought hy the ^reat "nations of the earth. I am proii.i to helievi' that our desire for a "pcriuarent alliance will lie lei'iprocated in Ijujland. The Colonies "are now in a transition state. ( ;ra>; to the British system. We will enjoy that which "is the great test of constitutional freedom -we will have the rights "of the minority respected." Canadian Nationalism The earlier years of Confederation were devoted to the organi- zation of the i)ublic services, and to promoting internal ways of communication; nnd Inter- in 1878 0, by his tnrifT poli( - , which he and his colleuKucs irmis^tcd upon (IcHcriliinK !H u Natioritt policy, Sir John 'lovrlopcd in t'lr niiti(U of the ('unudiiin people u conNciouM- ne88 of ti.i'ir eomrnou •■ronuniic exlHtenir, u consriouHneMM which has fsinee l)peouie the ntnMe \ii\h'\h of (unudu'M induNtrial and commercial pmnresN. He advocated niid undertook the construction of National works, and he frequently referred to the construction of the ('anudiiiti Pacific Railway as CanHda's ureutest National achievement. His li-spirHtions for the development of a vifiorous Canadian Nationality, in which the two great races which frst settled the Provinces, would have ecjual rights, responsibilities ar.d privileKCS, — his fervid ( 'anndian patriotism, at length, permeated the very minds and hearts of the Tanarlian people. That National trade and tarilT policy, Sir Wilfrid l.aurier sub- sequently, in a large measure, adopted and maintained. He, too, undertook the construction of another .National Transcontinental Railway; and he even surpassed, in one respect, all his predecessors, by assuming control of the Imperial fortifications on the Atlantic and Pacific C'oasts of Canada, and by accepting, on behalf of the Government of Canada, complete responsibility for its military defence. The direct intervention of successive Canadian Covernments, in the negotiation of commercial treaties affecting Canada, has also vitalized the National idea; while both the successes and failures of Canadian representatives in conserving Canadian interests in nego- tiations with foreign powers, and in asserting her territorial rights before various tribunuis of arbitration, have alike served to create a sense of National individuality and National responsibii' The development of the National ideal has also created a jealouo determination in the minds of the people to coi serve and maintain the rights cf responsible self-governmcnt^the political autonomy, which they have hitherto obtained by persistent resistance to the extreme pretensions of Colonial Clovornors and of the Colonial Office at Downing Street. The Canadian Nationalism of the past has imbibed the spirit of " What we have we hold;" and that spirit has been strengthened by the belief tht. the development of Canada's industrial and commer- cial interests must ever dejx'nd upon the fostering care of her own Government, and upon the intelligently directed energy of her own people. ' In latiT ynifj*. thf iiiiihI> of the jMoph- of Ciuiaila liii\. l.«iuii,f • ngrwwMl Willi the \v,,rk of iliv.lopiuK tlnir i>wu int«rnal Ttaourco*, fompli'tiiiK intmiul >'uivs ..f ciiiiiiiiiiiiifiUiori li\ rnilwaya iiiul oaiiiiN, corHfriictiiiK uri-at liarl>oiir impro\tiii»iits, •■irvators, whHr\<< iiimI dork.x, for lhf» a(>«'oiiiiiint Westt m distrii-ts ot ,.rrit,»r.v. und rt-HtinK for tlw^e district- in- political, atrial and iiidu^triai institutions »,, iMTfSMarv to their MiMK'tia! pro- \ expre»ion in the determinutioti to main- tain their complete many who did not approve of the idea of contribution, and who favoured the suggestion that Canada should do nothing more than })rovide adequate protection for her own .sea coasts. The Naval Question in Canada A discussion arose in the Canadian House of Commons on March 29th, upon a resolution presented by Hon. George E. Foster, one of the Leaders of the Conservative Opposition, to tiie efTect that: — "In view of her great and varied resources, of her geographical position "and national environment, and of that spirit of self-help and self- "rt'sptct, wliicli iiloiif hi'fits a stroiif;; and growing jH'o])le, Canada "should no longer delay in assuminK her proper share of the responsi- "bility ami financial burden incident to the su. table protection of "her exposed coast line and great seaports." Mr. Foster, in his speech supporting this resolution. <)l)jected to a fixed annual contribu- tion in money; and he was followed by Sir Wilfrid Laurier, the Leader of the CJovernnient, who (h-dared that the Ciovernment stood by its refusal, at ths Imperial Conference of 1002, to contribute to the support of the British army or navy. While this discussion was in progress. Sir Wilfrid Laurier, Prime Minister, and Mr. U. L. Borden, Leach-r uf the Opposition, by private personal discussion, doubtless witii a view to creating unanimity of sentimei»t in Cunaila, came to an agn-ement to accept the following resolution, which was adopted by the Canadian House of Commons without division: - "This House fully recofjnizes tlie duty of the people of Can.id.-i, as they increase in numbers and wealtli, to assume in larger measure the responsibilities in national defense. The House is of opinion that, under the present constitutional relations between the Mother Country and the self-noverninjj Dominions, the payment of regular and periodical contributions to the Iin|>erial tn^asury, for naval and military purposes, would not, so far as Canada is concerned, be the most satis- factory solution of the tpiestion of defense. The House will cordially approve of any necessary expenditure desifcned to promote the .speedy organization of a Canadian naval service, in co-operation with and in close relation to the Im{)crial navy, along the lines suggested by the Admiralty at the last Imperial Conference, and in full sympathy with the view that the naval supremacy of Britain is essential to the security of com- merce, the safety of the Em])ire and the peace of the world. The House exi)res.ses its firm conviction that, whenever the need arises, the Canadian people will be found ready and willing to make any sacrifice that is required to give to the Imperial luthorities the most loyal and hearty co- operation in every movement for the maintenance of the integrity and honour of the Empire." I wish to direct special attention to the declaration, con- tained in the second clause of this resolution, that, under the present constitutional relations between the Mother Country and the self- governing Dominions, the payment of regular and periodical contri- butions to the Imperial treasury for naval and military purposes would not, so far as Canada is concerned, be the most satisfactory solution of the question of defence; and to the alternative declaration in favour of the speedy organization of a Canadian naval service in cl' 5e co-operation with and in close relation to the Imperial navy. ' t soon became clearly apparent that the eomproiuise, negotiated l)ytlie leaders of the two |)()liti('al parties in the House of Commons, was not received with unanimity by the people of Canada. In the meantime, puVjlic alarm was quieted somewhat by a pronouncement of Sir William H. White, late Director of Naval Construction, in the Nineteenth Century for April, 1909, in which he referred to th(! "exaggerated statements, and hysterical enquiry "which had been made in some quarters," and ridiculed "the estimates "of politicians, innocent of technical knowletlge, like the Prime "Minister, Mr. Halfour, the First Lord, and many others. Nevertheless, an Impi'rial Press Conference was convened in London early in June, at which were asseml)led representatives of the I'ress from every jiortion of the self-governing Dominions, to whom the leaders of political opinion in CJreat Britain made most elocjuent appeals that the Colonies should co-operate in providing for the defense of the whole Empire. "Take this message back with you," said Lord Rosebery to the representatives of the Imperial Press, "that the (^Id Country is right "at heart; that there is no failing or weakness in her; and that she "rejoices in renewing her youth in her giant Dominions beyond the "Seas. For her own salvation she must look to herself, and that "faihng her, .she nuist look to you." Sir Edward Grey declared tluit: — "The one essential thing is "that we should kee)i the high-road of the sea open, and that is the "great Imperial strategic problem which now confronts us. The "navy is the common security of the whole Empire. If it ever fails "to be that, it will be of no use for us to discuss other subjects." "Local defense," declared Mr. Balfour, "must be subor(Unate "to Imperial defen.se. The individual parts of the Empire never "can be saved, never can be powerful, never can be strong, if their "ilefense is onlv local." Imperial Defense Conference In the meantime the Imperial Government, in May, made unexpected preparations for calling the representatives of the colonies to London to take part in an Imperial Defense Conference, which met in July, and in which the Canadian Government consented, ratlicr reluctantly, to participate, hy sending two representatives, the Canadian Ministers of Marine and of Militia; but their instruc- tions wen- })ased upon the unanimous resolution of the Canadian House of Conuuons, to which 1 have referred; and, even at the time that Sir Wilfrid Laurier decided to participati- in the Conference, he stated in the House of Conunont-, on May 18th, that: "I (piite "realize that Canada has reached th.' period in its history when, as "a Nation and as a part of the British IJnpire, we should acknow- "li !si;e the fact scpiarely and prepare, ;is far as we can, for our own "defense, and that w«' should make all adecpiate preparation to that "ofTect. I am not pre])ared to say to what extent we should go." Subsequently, in London, on .July 2.')tli, the Canadian Minister of Mihtia stated to the i)ress that: -"There is in Canada a practical "agreement of opinitm as to the line we should adopt in regard to "Imperial defense. The resolution of the Dominion Parliament "disposes of the matter, and it is on this our instructions are based." The memorandum sul)mitted to this Conference by Mr. McKen- na. First Lord of the Admiralty, while admitting that his suggestions were modified by the various circumstances in which the over-seas Dominions were placed, and that "their history and physical envi- "ronment have given rise to ii.d-adual national sentiment for the "expression of which room must be found," declared that:— "In the "opinion of the Admiralty, a Dominion (lovernment, desirous of "creating a navy, should aim at forming u distinct fleet unit;" the particulars of which he presented as costing, at British rates, $17,- 500,000, at the outset, and S3,000,0(M) per year for maintenance; and he urged tlmt the Heet unit maintained by a Dominion (Jovern- ment should be "treated as an integral i)art of the Im])erial forces," inasmuch as "it is tisiitf qua non that successful action in time of "war depends upon unity of command and direction." He also added that: "It has been recognized by the Colonial (iovernments that "in time of war the local naval forces should come under the General "Directions of the Admiralty." The Canadian representatives at this conference were unwilling to accept the Admiralty's recommendation in its entirety; and asked for modified suggestions regarding the composition of the proposed unit on the basis of annual expenditure of $3,000,000 and $2,000,000 respectively . 10 Conflictinti Canadian Opinions 111 llu" iiicaiitimc. the ('aiiiifliim j)nss was filled with a perfect babel of voices, ^onie a|)i)n>\iiit seemed to indicate. ^Ir. Borden, Ist inethod;" and later, at Halifax, in October, he ur^e'l tiiat: "One noveriiiiiK princiiile at least should "control, namely, that out of our own materials, by our own labour, "and l)y the instructed skill of our own people, any necessary provi- "sioii for our naval defense should be made as far as may be reason- "ably ])ossible,soasto jrivo a stimulus and eiicouraK''iii<'iit to the ship- "buildiuK industry of Canada whi<'h has loiiK been h'-kiiig." Mr. Monk, M.P., the Conservative Leader in the Province of QuJ'bec, at a political l)aiiquet held at I-achine early in November, 1909, protested against the jiroposed jiolicy of military and naval consolidation as fatal to the jirinciple of self-ftovernment, and de- clared that: "The democracy of our country cannot admit that the "people should not control their own destiny. )Ve should not be "bound before we have been consulted and manifested our wishes;" while, in reply to Mr. Monk, Sir Wilfrid Laurier, siieaking atToronto, declared that :"lf we do have a navy that navy will so to no war, "unless the Parliament of Canada chooses to send it there." Later Premier Robliii, of Manitoba, described tiic Laurier Xaval Scheme as .separatist in character, useless in effect, and costly in price, and (h-clared that "Canada should contribute in the be.st "possilile way to the maintenance of British sea supremacy, through "prompt and direct contribution to one great Imperial Navy;" while Premier McBride.of British Columbia, Premier Hazen.of New Brunswick, Mr. Haultain, Provincial Conservative Leader in Sas- katchewan, on various occasions, strenuously urged direct contribu- tions either in money or in ships. A new note in favor of Imperial co-»jperalion was sounded by Sir Thomas Sliauglines.sy, at a banquet in Montreal, on December 11 n r 2n(l, to tho rffcet that in the fiitiin" Canada would hfcomc "a Krcat "nation, a |)o\V('rfiil infim-ncc in the Councils of tin- British pcoplr, "a powerful factor in Imperial alTairs." To which Henri Pourassa, who was thereafter destined to take a lar^e and intluc n(ial j)art in the discussion of Canadian naval policy, concisely retorted, at a l)anquet hehl one week later, that )anque -"If Canada is to aid in Hritish wars, "she must have re])resentation in British dijjlomacy." Th'reafler petitions were largely circulated in Ontario and in the West which directed public attenti(jn to the fact that: "No consti- "tutional means have been jjrovided whereby the jieople of Canada "may influence the declaration of war, or the conduct of it, or the "conclusion of peace.'' The Canadian GrauKC and the Canadian National Council of Agricultrre also emphasized the (h'mand for a j)oi)ular vote on the navy question. In November, 1909, the Canadian Parliament asain assembled, and on January lOth, 1910, the Naval Bill was introduced by the Prime Minister, who explained that the Canadian (iovernmcnt had not accepted the Briti^a Admiralty's suggestion of a complete naval unit, but that they propctsed to construct eleven shijis at a cost, if constructed in Great Britain, of $11,000,000, or, if constructed in Canada, of at least S15,000,000; and he added— "I may say that it "is our intention to stuit at the earliest moment with the construction "of this ^leet, and, if possible, to have the construction done in "Canada." The Premier also directed attention to a special provision of the Bill, that while the na\ al force was to be under the Canadian Govern- ment, "yet, in case of emergency, the CJovernor-CJeneral in Council," that is the Canadian Govermnent, "might ])lace the Canadian ships, "officers and men at the disposal of His Majesty for general service "in the Royal Navy;" and over this provision of the Bill a prolonged guerrilla warfare was afterward fuiiously waged. C)n the one nand, Mr. Borden, who is now Prime Minister, made the i)ungent criticism that:— "Tnder existing proposals the Canadian navy would l)e a "Canadian force in time of peace; in time of war it would be an "order-in-council navy." On the other hand. Mr Monk, 'M.F.. now Minister of Public Works, declared that — "What is proposed to-day is to invite us to 12 "hecoiuc rf»8ponsili!o for tlic policy, for tin- jes of re|)resentation." "Most imi)ortant of all," said Mr. Monk, at a later date, "we "have no voice of any kind in the <'onduct of Imperial affairs, while "beinji l)ound i)y Imperial olili>j;ations toward other countries. \\\ "become liable to 1h<' political and financial resuits of those obli- "Kiuions, without any representation, or administrative responsi- "bility." Mr. Dohorty, M.P., who is now Minister of Justice, also insisted that atiy jiolicy of contribution to Imperial defense should embody the rijiht of i)articii)ation in the control or direction of Imperial foreij^n policy. "1 am here to say," said he, "that when this duty is "jHesented to us of our taking; a share in the maintenance of the "naval forces of this Empire, there is necessarily presented to us, "at the same time, another duty, the duty of our taking a share "in the lieavy bunlen of the control of the foreijjn alTairs of this Empire." Mr. Perley, M.P., wiio is now a memljer of the Canadian Govern- ment without jK)-* folio, was also insistent upon the imjmrtance of maintaining the unity of the Empire, and the necessity of Canada oontril)uting efficiently to the defense of the Empire, with a view to obtaining representation in it> government. The Quebec Campaign The Xaval Bill was enacted into law. by the votes of the Liberal majority in a divided lio\ise, and in May, 1910, Parliament was prorogued. In the previous January, Henri liourassa, a former supr ter of the Laurier administration, and subse(|uently a member of the (^uel)ec Legislature, a ( 'anacHan of French descent, a clo.se student of constitutional liistory, possessed of clear jjolitical in.'^ight, of unsurpassed literary attainments and oratorical gifts, founded in the City of Montreal the newspaper "Le Devoir,'' in which day after day he preached the doctrine of Nationalism and Autonomy, and persistently assailed the Laurier naval policy with most biting criticism and the keenest satire. 13 A |)(iliti<'iil ciiiiipiiiuM of pliitfonii addresses was also carried oi» ill tlie Pro\iii(e ul' (^iielxc during the ensiling summer l>y Messrs. Monk, Jioiiiassi, Niiiitel. liloiidiii, I.averune aiiy the link of a com- "iiion alle>{;iance.'' lint early in OctoI.er, Utld, the Federal representation for the electoral division of Druminond and Arthaliasca hecanie vacant; till- writ for a new election was issuergne and Cilbert, the succes.sful candidate, and unanimou.sly re-affirmed tlie tenets of their political faith in the following n-solution:— ^ This nicetiiiK approves and rutitio.s tin- verdict rendered hv the electoral divi.sion of Druinniond and Arthahas.a, le-atfirins the will ofthe Canadian IJeople \, uphold the rights of the British Crown in Canada, denlares itself ready to approve of all necessary and efficient measures to make sure the defense Canadian of Canadian territory; but it considers as contrarv to the principle of Cana autonomy and to the real unity of the Empire iuiv policy tending to im upon Canada, that has no voice in the (iovermuen't of the Empire, any s.,c.v= in the external responsibilities or in the tnilitarv defense of the Empire, "outside of Cana.han territory— the only portion of the Empire upon which the Canadian |)eople may exercise any political or constitutional action. pose irnre That contest and that emphatic declaration of political principles impressed the consciousnes.s of the Canadian people with a more intelligent perception of the real significance of the naval issue; and they began to realize more clearly that a decision upon the naval issue involves the necessity of solving, or at least of making a rational 14 ffTurt to stueiy.tDappnciatc. ami lAiniiially tu p.iM- the way for tiit> .'iolutioii uf tin- proliltiii of ('aiuuht's political niatioiis wtli tin- KiiiKiloin uf (ircat Britain and Iri'land, ami wiMi Ikt >i>t<'r ( olonii« of Australasia and South Africa. Later. in November, I'.tlO. the ( aiiadian I'arlianient a>£ain as^ m- bled, ami, in di-cussinu an amendment to the addre-s in reply to tin- speech fron» the Throne. Mr. liorden. then Leader ot' the < »pposition. who is at this moment Prime Minister of ( anada. matle a pronounce- ment of far-reachinK imi)ortance. to the e(Tect that the ado|)tion ..f a |)ennanent policy of contributioi..;, by Canaila, to the naval defend- of tlu' Kmpire, necessarily involves a readjustment of the jiolitical relations hetween ("amida and the Kmpire: "I caiiiKil «cc," Slid lir, "th.it it Is i)<)s-.il)lc to iii.iiiit.iiii the ii,i\,il supn iii acy of tlif Kiiipirc l>y :i scries of ilisiinitt'cl navies, not iiinlci' nnc rciitnil cdiitrr)!. • . . I think the (|iicstie .1 toleral)le condition. I do not believe the pi-ople of Canada would for one moment submit to such .1 coiulilion. Shall Menihers of this Hoiis<<, renresrntati ■<• men, represent iiig two hundred and twenty-one constituencies of this cou'trs', fioin the Atlantic to the Pacilic, shall no one of them h.ive the s.iiiie voice with re«iird to those vast IiniH-rial isuies that the humblest tax-payer in the British Isles has at this moment ? It does not seem to m .hat such a condition would make for the integrity of the Kmpire, f(n; the closer 1 o-ojKTation of the Kmpire ! Kenard inust be had to these fur-reachinu eonside, ations; a |HTiuaiieiit policy will have to be worked out, and, when that permanent policy has btren worked out and explained to the people of Canada, to every citizen in this coiintiy, then it will be the dut v of ar\y fjovernment to no to the jHople of Canada, o receive their nianilate and accept and act upon their apjiroval or disapproval of that policy." From the day that Mr. Httrden made this pui)lic political pronoun- cement, .so nearly in accord with the dearly expressed views of the exponents of Nationalist ideals in ("anada, it was apparent to all intelliKent observers of Canadian political affairs that he had thereby rendered it poissible for the Nationalist sroup to accept the chief planks of hi.s political platform, and for the leaders of that group, in the event of his triumph at the polls, to uiMte with him, as col- IcaRues in his ministry, in workinj; out a jK-nnanent policy on the basis of fully conserving National interests and maintaining Imperial unity. In the face of this combination of opposition forces, which gave promise of undermining completely Sir Wilfrid Laurier's political 15 supromucv in l.i. nativ ITovin.v of (iu.)...-. -» ^vas -'^"n" ^^K that h.. ti»-n.«ft.r ..n.-..ur:i«r.l tl»- |.n,,H.....l .M.«nt,at...n. for nr , r - ntv with th.. Initnl Stat. -. an.l that h. su ...qui-ntly -<»;'!• ""- .HpHM-itv pro«ra.n. an-l M,u«l.t to fin. tla- .ul.s,..,u..nt v\.vUmi\ TV (•ontr»t ill (aiia.la to u (Uci^^ion upon that Minttlf ihsuc Hut to rrturn t.. thr ..aval issu.-, Ww .liM-us.ion ut whuli. ha.l. ,,v this tin.... f....-.i apon p.ii.u.- att-nti.... ;'':;;!7^';" ''','; .",;';;' „i,,iti,.al n.iati....- with th- i:.n,>in-. S,r W.lfru .i.M.l.th- ... I I,,,,., of rallvin, t.. hi. sta...lanl thos.- .-Lrtors of Qu.-Im.,- « .o « r. Mi I h..Mtati.„ to hnk thvir p..hti.-al lortun.s vv.th th.; ^;'t";" '^^ ,„ov..nu.nt. .l...-h.n..l. .hnin« th- .l.^hat.. .... th.. a.l.lr..s- .n th.. H.....0 ,,f Cotiii.i.iiis i.i N.)v».|.ilK.r, UHU, that: :;':::!::■•::"£ -i:S:Tiia^^^ they iliiiik lit to .I" ""■ Imperial Conference of 1911 An.l latc-r.in .l.u..., I'.Kl, at th- I.np...ial ( onf...Tn..o m Lon.lon in whic-h he ha.l parti.-ipat..! with -vi.i....t r.-hx-ta...-.' S.r W .Ifnd l.aurh-r. i.. .hsc-ussi..« th- qu..stion of approv...« .. th.- propo ed rule, of warfare, .-xpresse.l ir. the ])...!arati„n ..f Ijon.in.., wh.ch would Kov-r.. futur- wars between tln-at lirita.n a.ul any other of the Great l>..w(.rs .,f Kur.>pe. assu.ne.l unequ.v..eaUy the pos.t on that ( •ana.la .li.l n..t wish t.. be ......suited i.. su.h ,hpl..n.at,e n..got.a- tious of the British (;..v.-nnue,.t, on th.- ^.'oun.l that beniK e.,nsulted i.upliod Kui..g u.lvi... .. the I..iperial (U.v.r.uu -nt u...l K.v.nK aduce n p ie.l the responsibility of going to war to give elTeet to any adv.ee o given; an.l I .leehue.l. a. a matter of fact, that Ca.ja.k wodd in the exereise of her ..w.. .lisen-tion. n-serv.. to herself the r ght : San. fron. partieipati,.g in a..y war earrie.l on by Gn-at Bn am with any other p..wer. T,.rning to the "'I-^-^f ^^ .« .^^' ."^ British I)onu.n..ns, pn-s.-.t at the eo.if..ren..e, b.r ^^ .Ifnd Laun. r i. to be ourrieii on hy the (..oat 1 '"f r. oi L.ir \k ^^^.^^^.^^^^ advice should JreUreJ 1» lake ll.e v'l "il"!")- " f""« """ 'I'" "'" ■ Hi \\t' iiiav ii'wv inlvirc if our .idvirc i- .-.iiiiulii; lnit if \i.iir mh iir is xxiKht, or if vou ti'hiliT i«, I do not think tin- Initcil Kintciiuii ciii' im huvf laki'u thi" ito.iltion in Canada that we do not 'Link wr arr lioutid to lay not Im> callrd ii|H)n in nil raiw*, rriitiiHtiuii'CM to taku part in t-vcry war, and that 'iiir llt'ct •nd, th«-ri'fon', for my part, I think it i* iMticr iindir ■'ii.h ii vf tin- nfKoliiifion of thi'sc ri-Kiilationx a-* to thr way in whnh tin- war in t< Ik- curried on to the chief jiartner of the family, the one who has to lie.ir tin burd OGcaaionn. en in part on Home oeeasion^, anil the whole hurden on |HTliMpi other TliU lU'cliiriitioii, wlirti if was n-purt.-fl in ('aiiailii, nut with .•• perfect sloriii id' aiiverse critiei^m, tn the ellVet tlial in the exeiit of wai lietweeii Cleat lirifaiii ami mov other (Ireat Pciwer, a il«'ela- rutioii ^t( iieiittality hy ('aiiaihi. vvo .... he nothiiix less than a ilecla- rution of political independeiKe. ami that even if ( utnulu s neutrality under such circuinstaiices ininlit he respected l»y a hostile power - a simK«''''i<>'> which involved ^rave dnulils and diMiculties it would lie most dishoiiouralile and cowardly for Canada, at ii time wheti the Knipire should he involved in a siipreine .striiKjtie for the preservation of its political existence, to seek to sufcKtiard her own territory l>y declaring her political independence. l^iirinn the previou.-s year tiie independence of Canada had heeii advocated or the platform and in the i)ress more fre(|uently and more persistently fnan for many previous years; hut without evokinn very much of popular favour throunhout the <'ountry K<'nerall\ . and no erthusia.sm indeed, in the IVnvi ice ofi^ueiiec, whereit wjis realized. by many Canadians of French descent, that a (hclaration i>f Indepen- dence hy Canada implied the \vii)inK out of tlie existing constitution, created hy the British N .rth America Act, and the placing of the rights of the minorities, guaranteed hy that Act, at the ahsolute disposition of an English and Protestant majority, composed of representatives of the English-speaking Provinces of the Dominion. The maintenance of British comiecti(m again hecarne a potent P')litical watchword in the Province of Qiiehec: Imt the views of many of the people of that Province were douhtless expressed hy Henri Bourassa, in a suhseiiuent campaign speech at Sudhury, (Ontario, where ho declared that the maintenance of British connection is the first principle of Nationalism, though he strictly aflhered to his previhus conlentioii that, if there is to a lie part icipjit ion hv Canada in the wars of the Empire, there must also he a corre-pondiiig participation in directing the foreign policy of the Empire: — "I .say," he declared, "that no government, whether Tory or "Liheral, whether headed hy an Englishman or a Frenchman, has 17 "till- ritflil til |>liuiK<- iH into u war ImvuimI Ciiniidu's l«ir <.f Cunu.lu have tlir muiii.. voi<-«- in the "•licliiratiiin of mucIi warn as have tlii- |m»oi»Ic of (;nat Uritaiti. And "in suyiiiK tin- I a|*|H-al t(» tlii> wry foiinHation Mtono of nriti^h "titizi-nHliip." Canadian General Electionii Till' flf<-toral canipaiun. wlii.h cIo^imI on the 21-'t of ScptrnibfT lust, n-siilti..! in tin. .Irfrat „< the I. i.r Ministry an colli-aKui's to ,v»r. Tin- lirst annonnc<>nii>nt of tin- mw Prcniiir was to tl (Tort lliat llu- UuriiT naval policy Imd l.rrn aKand I, or, at least, IHistpoiwd for fiirtlH-r careful consideration. Tlic fact that Mr! Monk. Mr. Dof erty, Mr. Xant.'l and Mr. IVrJcy wen- invit.-d l.y Mr. lioptun, till tu'W Prime Minister, to uceei)t nienihersliip in lii.s Ministry I that they all felt free to accept office under Mr. Morden, was in u.-elf u nuiirantee that the preceding prolonKi-d p lili" diseussion Imd served to l.rin« their views u|)on i|Uestioii^ of lu.vai policy and inter-imperial relationship ver> nearly into complete accord. I caimot presume to suKKot the considerations on which the policy of the jtr 'sent Covernment of Canada will l.e based, nor the Kcneral outline »f tlu' policy that will l)e formulated; and the «'vents of the recent political contest arc altogether too recent for one who participated, i\,ii to a very limited extent in that contest, to express an altogether iifil.iassed opinion as to the limitations which the views, Ki-nerally ntertained l)y the f'anadian per.ple, impose upon tile ! ositive const i iitive sfatesmanshi|) of the new Ministry. It is, however -ieiiiTally conceded, I think, that f'ai.-da cannot yet stan.l alone among tin naticms of the world; and that ihe Hriti.sh n.iiiicction 1. far more consistent with our Canadian traditions, and far Piore hoiioural.i' to Loth races in Canada, than any other jxilitical eonnection which u.- might hereafter fnriu for the |)urpose of safe- guarding our aulorinmy, as well as our national interests generally. liut any form oi Imperial I'liity that implies Colcmial dependi-nce and sul)or Clint nilliMl s.il.ly liy tin- (!t»virimiin- ion of the Over-Sea,"' Dominions. NationuliHtn and ImperialiHin The external alTairs of th" limpire jirc. in fact, now <'ontrolle(| hy the uccidental selc linii. I.y the popular vote of the electors of the I • ietl Kinutloin, of representativcx who m.-iy ur may not l>e qiialilieil for hi>{h Imperial duties and roponsihilities who are selected Ity leaMin of thi'ir ixpre»xed v>e\v.« upon petty issues «»f uro- vincial or parixh politics, sneh as licensing pnlilic Imuses, ci 'h lisliment, [Mtor laws, old an;e pensionx. local taxation, local <'yi"i!iht and naturalization, domestic policy and external relations, would readily and elTectively he dealt with, in conformitv with the British principles of respon- sii)le self-fiovermnent. hy the several res])ective authorities, eoii- stitu'fd on a rejjresentative hasis and actinn' in harmony within theii ,)rescrihed jiu'isdictions. Attitude of British Government To me it .seems that Imperial I'nity is not so seriously threatened hy external |)ressure from ( iermany. or from any other (ireat Naval or Military Power, as it is hy the ohvious unwillingness of the (iovern- ment of the Inited Kingdom to admit the (Jovermnents of the Dominions heyond the Seas to share in the responsihility of advising the Sovereign in matters of external [)olicy, including the negotiation of political treaties, the d(>claration of war, and the conclusion of terms of i)eace; in refusing, in fact, to share with i m the respon- sihility of advising the Sovereign in all matters relating to the foreign policy of the Kmi)ire. The attitude of the present Hritish Government was made clearly apparent at the r(>cent Imperial Conference, in London, when its President. Premier As(iuith. speaking on hehalf of that (iovern- ment, and referring t(t Sir .loseph Ward's proposit'on that the self- governing D(miinions should he admitted to participate in the coun- cils of the Empire, said: "l"or what erial Government, subject to its responsibility to the Imi)orial Parliament. That authority cannot be shared." The obvious result of suiov<'reign States; or, of placing their financial resources at the disposi- tion of an Imperial (loveriunent, in wlio.^^e councils they are denied repres- tation, for the maintenance of foreign policies in respect of which they have no direction or control. Hope for the Future But, nevertheless, the growth and expansion of the British C 'onstitution is always based on th(> reasonable compromises effected by opposing political forces; and it may l)e that a satisfactory modus Vivendi may be contrived for, at least, the jjrovisional adjustment of the existing difficulty. I cannot, therefore, presume to suggest in what manner or by what means Canadian .statesmen should determine, for the time being, the policy they will pursue with respect to naval and military defense; except that the maintenance of Canada's political individu- ality, the conservation of her political rights and interests, and the adequate defense of Canada, both as a growing nation, and as a part of the Empire, must ever be their special responsibility, and their chief concern. If the continued existence of the Empire depends upon the main- tenance of the supremacy of the British navy, and thorough enquiry and investigation show that the supremacy of that navy is really seriously threatened, tht'n nia\- we not yet hope that the British (iovernment of tiie day may i)r<)vc itself worthy of its Imperial title by co-operating \v\th the C.overnnienl of Canada and of the other Dominions beyood the Seas in devising ways and means, consistent with the recognized principles of responsible government, 24 SI for the maintenance of that naval supri'niaoy, in so far jis iti^is necessary, for the prottction of the Empire as a whole, and for safeguarding the interests of its component political units ? The problem is undouhtedly, in view of the present attitude of the British Government, one of the .nost difficult with which a Canadian Government was e\('r confronted. We know that the members of the Government of Caiuida are actuated by motivcK of the highest patriotism. They fully realize that the political destiny of Canada is now, for the time being, committed to their care and direction. May we not also hope that in the fulfilment of their responsible duties they nuiy ever be guided by Infinite Wisdom ? 25