The Dominion. THURSDAY, OCTOBER 15, 1914. THE SPIRIT OF THE EMPIRE

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2298, 31 October 1914, Page 13

The Dominion. THURSDAY, OCTOBER 15, 1914. THE SPIRIT OF THE EMPIRE

The splendid'loyalty of the Canadian people is impressively illustrated by the facts stated in two cable messages published in- another oolumn of this issue. One of them announces that the strength of tho Overseas Forces of Canada is to be brought up to 100,000 men, and tho other states that the sum of £20,000 ! given by the Canadian women has been, devoted to the purchase of. motor ambulances. These two items of news, even if they stood alone, would provide a striking proof—if it- were necessary to prove what no one can seriously doubt—of Canada's whole-hearted determination to bear her full share of the burden of the war. .But she has shown her earnestness in many other, ways. She has also _ given two submarines, and a million sacks of flour; Alberta' Province has given half a million- bushels of oats;-. Quebec Province, four million pounds of cheese; and Nova Scotia 100,000 tons of coal. The women of Canada have given a hospital ship, and two Canadians have Britain with two batteries. It is a fine record—and the spirit that is moving Canada is moving tho whole Empire. It is unnecessary to dwell upon the part New Zealand is playing, and we all know that Australia is just as loyal and enthusiastic as we are, while the magnificent way in which the people of India haveresponded to the Empire's oall has impressed the whole, world. A striking example of the manner in which racial and religious obstacles to unity have been overcome is provided by the "fact that at a recent Mohammedan festival tho Mosques throughout _ India were thronged with worshippers praying for British victory. The only regrettable incident of any importance is the. trouble caused by a small section of irreconcilablcs in South Africa. The action of a. Boer officer in joining the Germans and in seeking-to foster a spirit of rebellion throughout the Union is, of course, an unpleasant episode, but the South African authorities are well able to deal with the situation, and seem quite determined to suppress anything in the nature of rebellion. Martial law has been proclaimed and tho situation appears to be well in hand. Tho great Boer leaders—General Smuts and General Botha—whose names arc familiar to the King's subjects, in all parts of the world, have already made it quite plain that the Empire's quarrel is their quarrel, and one of the nephews of General Delarey -is also preparing to take part in the fight against the King's enemies. The cable messages indicate that the. disaffection is not widespread, and it will almost certainly stimulate the' enthusiasm of the great mass of. the people whose loyalty cannot be doubted.

In Canada the French section of the population is 'quite as resolute as their fellow countrymen of Bri-, 'tish descent in supporting the Motherland in the present war. All sectional differences have been- forgotten. "In Canada there is-but ono mind," said. Sin Wilfrid Laurier in a recent speech in Parliament. He declared there was not a British subject in the world who was not prouder of his citizenship than ever before, and whose admiration for England was not greater on account of her noble and firm attitude. In no part of the Empire has the unifying influonce of the war been more pronounced than in Canada, and it cannot fail to leave a' permanent mark on the history of the nation. Evory British community has loamcd that the things about which all parties and sections are in agreement are far more numerous' and important than those about which they differ. The barriers which have been broken down by the need for co-operation in the face of a common /danger will never again bo raised quite so high as they were hoforo. The British peoples arc going to work together more extensively than hitherto for their mutual benefit in commerce as well as defence.- The- collapse of the Gor. man export business gives us a splendid opportunity of realising the ideal of a self-supporting Empire. The Canadians are moving in this direction. They are not content with providing men and money to fight the armed forces of-the enemy; but with characteristic energy and thoroughness thoy are also determined to' make wa-r upon German commerce, The Minister of Trade is taking vigorous steps to capture the enemies.' trade for Can'adian manufacturers, not only in. Canada itself, but also in South America and other parts of the .world.' This is the right spirit in which to meet such a crisis as that through which the Empire is passing, and ; if the other Overseas Dominions and the United Kingdom carry on this trade war in an energetic, intelligent, and systematic manner a great commercial victory may confidently be expected'. ,