The Southland Times. TUESDAY, JANUARY 14, 1873.

Southland Times, Issue 1689, 14 January 1873, Page 2

The Southland Times. TUESDAY, JANUARY 14, 1873.

The award of the Emperor of Germany in the San Juan case is unfavorable to England. So we were informed by a recent telegram, and of those who read the words it is probable that verj few indeed had the slightest idea of what they implied. Others, who might know something about the matter, probably regarded it as of little importance. This however was never strictly true, as our fellow-colonists in the Dominion of Canada would have informed us at any time since the ratification of the Treaty of Washington, and recent circumstances have invested the subject with interest, not only for Canada, but for the entire Colonial Empire. The San Juan dispute arose many years ago between the Governments of Great Britain and the United States as to the precise definition of the international boundary between the iyro countries in the strait which separates the southern portion of Vancouver's Island— which is British territory — from the opposite mainland— which belongs to the States. There are it appears three navigable channels, and the decision of the territorial question involved an issue of no less importance to the Dominion of Canada, and particularly to the Province of British Columbia, than whether the way of access to the Pacific Ocean from their shores should be through waters within their own jurisdiction, or under that of the States. The question was referred to the arbitration of the Emperor of Germany, and his decision has been given in favor of the States. The loss which the Dominion has thereby sustained is sufficiently serious to excite indignation, and to create a strong feeling of irritation throughout that Colony. These feelings, however natural, would of course be utterly unjustifiable bad the preliminary arrangements ol the arbitration* been conducted by the Imperial Commissioners with that knowledge of the question and care for the colonial interests which the Canadians were entitled to expect. But it appears that no greater care or ability were displayed in this matter than in the framing of the clauses which led to the presenta tion of the famous indirect claims. Everything was sacrificed to the overwhelming desire exhibited by Great Britain to come to a friendly arrangement with the States, and it is asserted that the " case," as ultimately presented to the Imperial arbitrator, was one which never ought to have been acquiesced in by the English Commissioners, being such as absolutely to preclude the possibility of a fair and reasonable decision. This is all bad enough, and we need not wonder that the relations between the Canadians and the Government of the. mother country have been embittered in consequence. But as if by way of forcing the question to a practical solution, The Times, in an article on 30th Octobar last, describes in detail the manner in which the interests of the Dominion bad been sacrificed to the exigencies i *or convenience of the Imperial policy, or, even more unjustifiably, by the ignorance or incapacity of Imperial diplomatists, not only in this last and most important matter of the Sao Juan award, but in previous questions, such as those cf the fisheries, and compensation for the Fenian raids. Having done so with relentless accuracy and exasperating clearness, without a word .of sympathy or apology, The Times proceeds to say that the Canadians are no doubt indignant at the manner in which they have been treated, and that it is not surprising that they should be so. In conclusion, The Times reads Canada, and by implication all other British Colonies, a lesson, in the following extraordinary terms : — " From this time forth, look after your own business yourselves. You are big enough, you are strong enough, you are intelligent enough, and if there were any deficiency in any of these points, it would be supplied by the education of selfreliance. We are both now in a false position, and the time has arrived when we should be relieved from it. Take up your freedom ; your days of apprenticeship are oyer." The meaning of this language is plain enough. The difficulties and sacrifices which Canada has had to encounter in the transactions described arose solely from her connection with the Empire. They were incurred by Imperial negotiations, and submitted to, hitherto without a murmur, by Canada for the Bake of Imperial interests. That connection Canada ia now invited to sever — ■ those interes|jy||pr the future to disregard. The fpsftion which The Times ]

until late years held, and doubtless still claims to hold, as " the leading journal of Europe," entitles colonists all over the world to ask in whose name they are thus addressed. Is it on behalf of the people of Great Britain ? Or is it to be understood that the views thus expressed find favor in the Colonial Office, and will be endorsed by the English Government ? The Colonies have a right to know bow the matter really stands. For our own part we firmly believe that tbe heart of the English nation is as sound on this question as the loyalty of the Colonies is undoubted. But the time is evidently fast approaching when a formal solution of the problem must be attempted. "The integrity of the Empire," hitherto a patriotic phrase, must become a historical fact, and the connection of the Colouies with the mother country, at present little more definite than a friendly sentiment, be assured by political arrangements of a permanent and intelligible kind. Unless steps are speedily taken to Becure this result, Eng land and the Colonies alike maj ere long be surprised to discover how much silent progress has already been made by the younger communities in learning the lesson The Times seems determined to do its best to teach them against their wish for better things. But the hopes, which many now believe may be realised erethe nineteeth century closes, of a Federal Anglo-Saxon Empire, which, in concert with America, shall lead the civilisation of the world, will then have passed away for ever. — — — ■ ■ '—