Ashburton Guardian Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit MONDAY, MAY 30, 1938. CANADA AND EMPIRE.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 58, Issue 194, 30 May 1938, Page 4

Ashburton Guardian Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit MONDAY, MAY 30, 1938. CANADA AND EMPIRE.

The statement by the Prime Minister of Oanada on the Dominion s attitude in regard to war is in keeping with views he has expressed on many previous occasions. While it cannot be denied that thq position is far trom the complete unity ot policy that is desirous in Umpire attairs, it may be as well betore condemning Oanaaa s attitude as one ot selhsh isolationism to reflect that British reluctance to make definite commitments is a subject ot constant reproach on the Continent. Britain has generally preferred to wait on the event rather than decide beforehand on hypothesis. Now she has to meet that same mood ot practical circumspection in Canada. When the event came, Britain was not slow to act and Canada’s present reluctance does not preclude her active co-operation, should the need arise. Her present diffidence can be set down to a number of influential factors. The most enduring resides in the realm of geography. A very large and increasing number of Canadians feel that the width of the Atlantic and the Pacific, together with the neighbourhood and consequent interest of the United States provides a sufficient defence. Propinquity has also influenced their international thinking. Washington s warning against "entangling alliances is heard and to some extent heeded in Canada as well as in the States, and more so in recent years when Canadian sentiment toward America has become less suspicious and more friendly. Another major factor, and one that no Canadian Government can afford to ignore, is the passionate assertion of isolationist opinion by French-Canadians, comprising three-fifths of the Dominion’s population. Some of them even aim at separation from the Canadian Federation, and all agree in repudiating any active concern in the affairs of the outside world. They are as antagonistic to the United States influence as to any other. They dream of establishing a French Catholic State in the St. Lawrence Valley, and their political philosophy is for “ourselves alone, a motto that recalls Sinn Fein. A Prime Minister whose party contains fifty-four French-Canadians, or any Prime Min 1 ister, must take account of this important body of opinion in framing his Empire and foreign policy. Mr King is aware, moreover, that the isolationist sentiment is by no means confined to Quebec. At the same time he realises that neither Quebec nor Canada can live for itself alone. Although he must be careful, therefore, not to run ahead of Canadian opinion and perhaps cause a deeper reaction, he has adopted a policy of preparedness that would enable Canada to play her part with the Empire if, when the time came, national sentiment was favourable. As in the other Dominions, so in Canada there is renewed interest in defence. The naval and land forces are to be increased to an extent showing that Canada is alive to the necessities arising from the international situation. Mr King’s reluctance to accept Imperial commitments should therefore be read in conjunction with Canadian opinion and also with the facts of his defence policy.