OUR CANADIAN LETTER.

Otago Witness, Issue 2317, 28 July 1898, Page 28

OUR CANADIAN LETTER.

(From Our Own ConßtisroNPENT.)

Ottawa, May 16.

Since ray last letter the weather has been singularly raw. Nob for a generation has the spring come earlier, so far as the disappeararce ofenotf acd ice ia concerned ; but the conditions for plant growth have net been f avcurable, and because oil this the early breaking up of winter has not carried with it the advantage that was expected. It is now, however, commencing to be balmy, the trees have put on the vigour of summer life, and outdoor recreations are being ei.j'>yed. I have seen the flfs*> week in May register a maximum temperature of 95 in the shade ; but that was nn exceptional experience, and hss certainly not been the casa this year. As might be expected, popular interest is centered in the Spanish-American war. It would be exlraordinary it the conditions prevailing among our neighbours across the line ehould uot be felt here. Thus far, the fact that (he United States ia engaged in a war egainst one of the European Powers haa not involved the commercial disturbance to which I ai*de allusion id my last letter. For example, the Bpani»h fleet haß not yet caused a danger to be ft It at American port 3en the Atlantic sufficient to drive the New York and Boston creamers to our ports, although that is a condition which may be foiced upon the Americans *ny day. The chief appreciable effect of the war up to this time has been a disturbance of the money znaiket, resulting in a raising of the rate of discount and in a general tightening of monetary conditions. The banks are exceedingly cautious and speculations are viewed with a degree of disgust. The first mention of lha war in our Parliament was made within a day or two, and arose from the fact that Sener Polo, until lately the Spanish Consul at Washington, has made Montreal his headquarters. A member inquired if this ftct had been brought to the knowledge of the Government, and if so, what action was proposed to be taken. The Frewier replied that Benor Polo's presence in Canada had not been called to his attention in an official way, and until that was done the Gc-vemment did not propose to take cognisance of lha matter. He further intimated that Canada would preserve an attitude of strict neutrality. While this little impromptu debate was in progress, an Opposition member waa discreet enough to indicate what he believed to be the sentiment of the Canadian people in respect of the war. He said tint; Canadians sympathised strongly with the United States, and heped that succefs would como to tte American cause. But there wai also a desire that they should, in the courss of (he struggle, receive (quoting his precise language) " a little spanking." This remark fcas naturally caused a good deal of commeafc, although it tras probably well-founded. The prospect t.f France identifjiug herself tvith the Spui'i h cause ia not without strong elements of interest to our people. We hays in Canada nearlj two millions of French Canadians, and while their loyally to Great Britf.'n is of the strongest possible character, it would be unnatural if they were not influenced in some measure by tho attitude of France in the great struggle now going on. It is earnestly to be hoped that no such strsin will be imposed upon Iheir Joy&lty, particularly as such action on the part or Frauce would inevitably draw England to thft bide of the Uuitcd Status. In this cuuncttiou it is really a wonderful thing to observe Ihe change in public fe-ling throughtui th« United Statt-s towards Great Britain. Little tkings seive to accentuate this sentiment as well ks larger events. A New Yotk firm recently begau thw manufacture of an emblematic button to bo worn on fcho coat lepel, representing the figure of Liberty on ono eido and tbe British Lion on the other. The demand for tbis significant war button has been beyond the capacity of the tnauufsctuiers. The illustrated papers are also filled with fimilar indications of this decided pro-British feeling, and there are many sensible men who ree fit this fact great poeiibilities of. an Ai:glo- Saxon union — one of the thit'gs which imperialists Ip.vo scaicely dared even bo dream &buut m recent years. The price of wheat continues to be firm and high. It bas been for gome weeks beyond the dollar point, and there are good reasons for exjectirg a, further advance. Thau this, there uro few th'iigi of greater importance to the people of Caniido, whsat being with us what wvol is to the people of the Antipodes. When prices are good the stimulstiou is felt in every brai.cb of our comcaercp, the importance of the pastorsJ industry being paramount. In anticipation of the continuance of good prices a very large acreage has b en scyvn during the past few weika, pnrticularly in fllsfcitoba and 1b.3 ncrfcb-westcrn provinces A diitcii ie£ult of these prospects is a large influx of immigrants, who are taking up the free and ctop Ixrds in the west. Tbe Canadian Pacific Rail pay Company have sold a greater number of errts this spring than during any cotrei-pond-U'g jk riod since they became the possessors or lonie £0 million acres in the prairie provinces. The \dio!e situation is rich with promise. News from the K.'oadyfce of iHsportince Ins not been r<ce ; v<scl su.ee the dato of my last writing. While ttn3 of thousands tre laboriously plodding their way to the digging* not mere than two or three miners — h-sg on thti/ journey— have reacted the coast. They confirm the expectation that a, vast hoard of g'-ld is awaiting shipment southward, and when these shipments begin to errive at Victoria and Vancouver we may expect a return of the feverish conditiona which prevailed lr.&tf&ll. A lull has iatervenod in tbe spirit of speculation in Klondyke enterprises, which had almost reached the point of madness*

and interested parties do not nob look for a revival until the gold begins to come down. The military contingfcnt bciog sent out by the Government left Ottawa early this month, and the soldiers are now about at the commencement of their real hardships. They are taking with them four nurses of the Victorian order, who are going up to look after the sick on tho goldfklds. An exploratory surveying party, under Government auspices, will be started out on the overland route in the courss of two or three weeks. Tho object of this movement is to discover the feasibility of a combined wagon road and railway on th; eastern side of tbe Rocky Mountains. We have in Canada a National Council cf Women, to which rcpresenta'.ives from all parts of Canada come once x year, at Ottawa. It has a very large membership, and was organised three or four years ago by the Countess of Aberdeen. It deals with social questions of all sorts, and probably does a great deal of good. Au incident occurred to-day which may not be wi'.tout a measure of interest to the enlightened and progressive woraen of New Zealand. I had almost used the word " aggressive," for up here in this somewhat conaeivative country the worneD of New Zealand are regarded aa of a particularly go-ahead type. Two women of distinction, one from the United Ststes and the other from Toronto, were discussing in a m».st;crly and comprehensive way the question of female suffrage, and one of them, desiring to measure the impression beiDg made, asked the> Indies who v?ere opposed to receivirg the franchise to stand up. More tban half the audiences stood up, and this may be taken as fairly ir.dicJ»ve of the fgsltug on this question which prevails in Canada. A somewhat remarkable case was tried rr c?utly at the a3s'zss iv the town of Perth. The i>!aiotifF was one Dr Howard, and the clefrud&Lb was the proprietor of the Star newspaptr of Montreal. The action was for libel, Dr Howard claiming 25,000 do! as damages for certain statements published in relation to his life and character. The defendant pleaded justification, and during the course of the trial brought on 1 , a set of facts more astounding t'uau a tale of 6ction. Dr Howard is a most remark-able-looking man, ot cjinmandiug presence, and possessing an extraordinary influence. Some year* ago he made Washington his headquarters, and while there he introduced to a few chesen friends a system of Oriti.tal religion, the precise character of which could not be developed at the trial. The devotees who crae to bis novel shrine were in ail instances women, and over theso he scon (.b'ained a C3i>t-o'ling hypnotic ii fluence. While declining to go iutj detail*, they explained that he invariably appeared before them clad in a fbwirg green g-nvn, a turban on his head, and a sword at his waist. Dur.ng the ceremonies that fallowed he frequently slashed right aud lefu with the sword, declaring that he was cu'ting down elementils— whatever they were.

Two of the women who accepted this E-.s l ern religion were the wivoa of millionaire?, and the third was a daughter of an exceedingly wealthy man. Oue of (he ladies was tha leader of society in the City of Washington, as wellfen mn as the wife of the President. She and the other two ladies renounce 1 their homes and the world and took up life with Dr Howard, the result being a legal separation iv e--ch crss. Criminal prrcsediugs having been iusfcitutad ag&inel the doctor, he flsd to Cturda, and the women followed him. They wete each given an allowance c.f 2000dol a year by their families, and upju thtse ample resources Dr' Howard is living near the town of Perbb, maintaining a sort of religious harem, and developing Ihe mysteriom rites upon wbich his Oriental system of worship is based. These foebs were all proven at tbe trial, and the newspaper wa^ fully vitidicated for its expose oE Dr Howard. It; waa painfully apparent in the court that the women were under complete mesmeric control by Dr Howard, as they were quite unable to give a satisfactory explanation of their relations \vi f h this priestly man or of the mysterious faith which they had adopted. If all the facts of the case were woven into a story it would be laughed at as being too utterly absurd for credence.

Lord Aberdeen, who has bce-n our Goveruorgeneral since September, 1893, lies scab Us resignation ~to tho lap 'rial authorities. H's Excellency and the Cour.tcss of Aberdeen have bteu tho mosb tctive hosts who have f-ver occupied Government llou3e, b.ith in a social and public way, and tbay will be greatly missed. They have <hcrou«hlv identified themselves with the life of tho Canadian people, having visited a'l parts of the country and m^de themselves acquainted with prevailing conditions. Her EtcJleacy is a lady of conspicuous abihty, and during the p?.st five years has di*plAjed realiy pin nominal energy and capacity in many cnterprisfs c .ciliated to improve tho social conditions of our people. In this work, quite naturally, fibs haa been exposed to much criticism, and it would only bo the truth to oay that many well-meaning people take exception lo what they call hw "fad?." None, however, doubt her sincerity or bei eficent purpose. Om of her favourite fchemes hay been tie org*i" Jsiiinn of the "Woman's National Council. « h i--. a k'ti'd of femsle P.u-lsamei.t, dcalic<,' i<- -oAaI jubjacJs and aiming to exorcise in tue best way the influence of womi v upon the general life of our people. It is perhaps premature to speak of results, or to ciiticise methods ; but there are many who entertain the few that when the poweiful personal influence t-f Lady Aberdeen diFappeara, the Wcnun's NaUoi>al Cou' cii will quickly suffer from yt'ophy. Lord Sclbr.urna and Lord Hipovoau r.rc spikeuof in cotnection with the successoiship of Lord Aberdeen, but at this tims (he matter is uve'.tled.

Tho principal racing cv;!-. 1 - of the year in Canada will take place on the Q aeen's Birthday ia Toronto. It is a race for province-bred hoisc-3, the prize being a r.-.luable piece of pl.nte given by her Maj-sry the Quern. This trophy has beeu competed for every 24th of May for nuny years, arid it has unquestionably helped tbe development of thoroughbred horses in Canada. For the past Ove years tbe Qu°en'a Plate has gone to Mr Joseph Saagram, M.P., who has entered into the breeding of fine racing stoclc systematically, and with more than ordinary good judgment. There are m?.ny competitors iv the Held, find thi3 year there appears to be a probibiiity that some other stable will carry off the honours, A fecbh support is given to horse racing io Canada, with the result that there are few good track 3 and fa*? high-cla?s horces.

Air D'Alfcon M'C&rtby, the very foremost lawyer iv Canada, died od Thursday last a* the result of a runaway accident. He enjoyed a very largo income from hi« practice, and was a conspicuous figura in Parliament. He was &n uucotnpiomising Protestant, a strong Imperialist, and a man of singular independence of thought. Hs lived a useful and blameless life, characterised by many persona! sacrifices for what he believed to be the pubiio weal, and he has gone down to his grave in honour. Our Parliament is still in session, and will probably be so for some weeks to come. No issue of particular importance has arisen durieg the past month, the business having been of n general character and referring to many matters, The construe'

tion of ft railway in the Yukon country, notwithstanding that the Senate blocked the original measure, is s! ill receiving very careful consideration. The British dljinbia Legislature has voted a subsidy of 4000dol per mile towards the proposed railway, and thia enterprise ia of ?uch importance to Canadian trade that the Dominion Parliament would seem to bo compelled to implement tbis assistance. There »re many thousand? of men now the golo'fiiild*, with whom the matter of supplies will be a question of life and dcabh unlees adequate trau^p^rfchtiou facilities arc provided hefore Use utxb winkr sets in. The men going iv are obliged to take a year's supplies in with Ihxjin ; bu"! it is the replenishing of their provender at the end of the year wLich makes the problem a gerWia ono to the Uovuruwnfc. Ife isobrecved that the P&cific esble qmsUon has not bjen allow ed to drop out of tighb in Australiii, and tbat New Zealand still continue.* loy^l '.o the schema. At this end the mstter is in ititu quo. It h?s been referred to several tiaius in P*'liaraeLt during the current tessioo ; bub the G vernroent is noa committal. Sir Sanford Fleming and Sir Mackfifzic B jwell avail themstlved of every opportunity to keep public opinion active ; but they cannob accomplish much just now. Large domestic undertakings make tbe capital view s-oem uaduly large ; buh it ra£y be that the turn of affairs in tho Phil'ppinrs wi!l arouse, the Imperial authorities into activity over the subject cf a cable io the Pacific. An ev&nb of that character often does more than many colonial appsa!B._.