CANADA AND THE UNITED STATES. 63

questioned, the strongest bond that binds empires
together is shattered, and cannot be replaced by
preferences or anything else. It was the existence
of this feeling pervading the whole of Canada that
made the outburst over the Alaska boundary
award so bitter and so threatening. It will be well
for Britain to see that never in the future does she
give any ground for any such accusation to be
levelled at her by her colonies. She must not lay
herself open to the charge that she is willing freely
to surrender territory and loyal subjects, or that
she shortsightedly considers only the present value
of undeveloped territory.
The tide has at last turned in Canada’s favour.
United States citizens are now pouring into
Canada, and United States manufacturers are
building their works on Canadian soil. Canada is
prospering at a rate with which even the exotic
growth of the United States cannot compare. And
with her prosperity has come a change in her policy.
Canada, so long a suitor for favour, is so no longer.
When Sir Wilfrid Laurier came into power he
turned his back upon the United States, and so
successful has his policy been that now it even
seems remotely possible that the vast bulk of the
States may plunge down upon its knees to Canada.
For Canada’s position grows stronger every day,
and when the time comes that the United States
cannot get on without Canadian corn, Canada will
be in a position to dictate the terms.
There can be little doubt that any inclination