122 CANADA AND THE EMPIRE.

natural development of the Canadian Imperial
idea. It is not looked upon by its promoters
or its supporters in any way whatever as a step
towards independence ; it is aimed to perpetuate
the Imperial connection by increasing yet further
the liberty of the colony, and so diminishing
the possibility of friction. It probably comes at
the present time largely as a result of the Alaskan
treaty, and will be urged, if urged it is, as an
expression of dissatisfaction with British diplomatic
 methods and of determination that she shall
not have an opportunity in the future of repeating
bygone blunders. Nor will the demand be as
formidable as it sounds. So far as sketched at
present, the Government of Canada will ask, now
or at some future time, for permission to negotiate
on her own behalf directly with the representatives
of foreign powers.
She will seek the consent of the Imperial Government
 before entering into any such negotiations,
and their result will not be ratified without the
approval of the King and his ministers, She
will ask, with the permission and approval of
those to whom she looks for her defence, for the
right to make her own treaties. This demand will
be prompted by a distrust of the potency of English
 foreign ministers, remarkable though such a
distrust may seem, and will be made as a method
of guaranteeing to Canada the representation of
her desires to her satisfaction. Thus autonomy
under the Crown may be developed, another