Mr. Chamberlain therefore laid the matter before the government, and it
was thereupon decided to end the two treaties mentioned.
Notice was accordingly sent to both Germany and Belgium that the
existing treaties would cease on July 30, 1898.
Canada and the colonies are highly elated over this matter, for it is
understood that this is but the first step toward federation.
That the foreign Powers will be very much opposed to this plan is a
foregone conclusion.
The foreign journals are speaking very severely about it, and saying
that England is much mistaken if she thinks that such an arrangement
would make her powerful enough to dictate to the world.
The day when federation will be completed is still very far off,
however; the colonies themselves are not federated as yet, and it is
hard to suppose that they are ready to come together and be happy as one
country with England when they are still divided among themselves.
Newfoundland is outside the Canadian federation; Cape Colony, in South
Africa, is divided into several states; Australia has five separate
states, each with its own governor and legislature. These states should
first be joined together before they can safely venture to combine with
the mother country in an alliance which would be against the world.
Pages:
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25