No doubt they have a perfect right To manage as they please, But those that I defend are quite Men who are anything but loth- I have a friend of sterling parts, His heart is quite the best of hearts, It were a dismal deed to plant Of one that longs to wed, but can't, And, though we needs must raise the wind, 'Twould seem a sad beginning To tax a soul so freely sinned Against, so free from sinning. No. Tax whomever else you choose- (Do them a power of good!) But do not sink to this device For raising ready money; It isn't sport, it isn't nice, It isn't even funny! J. K. MUSINGS WITHOUT METHOD. LORD DUNDONALD'S WARNING THE MILITARY POSITION IN CANADAALGERNON CHARLES SWINBURNE THE DAWN OF MODERN LITER ATURE. THE dismissal of Lord Dundonald, commanding the Canadian Militia, from his post is a misfortune, the gravity of which it is idle to underrate. We will not insult the soldier himself with our pity or condolence. None knows better than he how to preserve his dignity and to serve his country. And if Canada wantonly casts aside Lord Dundonald's knowledge and experience, the blame is all her own. But we, too, must take our share in Canada's discomfiture, and, from whatever point of view we regard the episode, it is a blow foolishly struck at the unity and stability of our Empire. The immediate cause of the quarrel is doubtless misleading and immaterial. But it may be briefly recalled: Lord Dundonald resented, with perfect reason, the interference of a Canadian Minister with a certain appointment, and, being outspoken, as his illustrious ancestor, he protested against the Minister's action, on the ground that he was confusing politics and military administration. The Canada Government, on the other hand, bitterly resented Lord Dundonald's protest, and having pointed out that, being merely its paid servant, he was not privileged to express an opinion, sum marily dismissed him. Sir Wilfrid Laurier enhanced the amenity of the situation by declaring that the General Officer commanding the Militia in Canada was a "foreigner "; and Lord Dundonald has no option but to return home. Once relieved of his command, the distinguished officer had the right to explain and justify his conduct, and he has taken an informal farewell of his soldiers in a document which the Canadian Ministers will read without pleasure. Disagreement was plainly inevitable from the first; and even if Mr Fisher, who holds the portfolio of Agriculture, had not cancelled an appointment made by Lord Dundonald, another cause of dispute would doubtless have been found. In his eloquent apology Lord Dundonald declares that he has retained the command so long merely to benefit the Militia of Canada, but that all the efforts which he made to that end were rendered useless by the resolute opposition of Ministers. His reports were either garbled or suppressed; his suggestions were heard without heeding; and while the Government vindicated its own supremacy and independence, it allowed its Militia to fall into a state of miserable inefficiency. For his own part, he asserts that he has sedulously avoided the politics of the Dominion; he has loyally attempted to carry out the wishes of the Government; and he merely demanded, what should be the right of every commander-a free hand in the technical administration of his force. Moreover, it is in no spirit of selfishness that he makes his protest, and he utters a final warning, which Canada will do well to accept in all seriousness of heart. "It may be a matter of indifference to some," says he, "whether the Militia lacks guns, rifles, ammunition, equipment, and all that is necessary to make a fighting force efficient. It may be a matter of indifference to some whether the great NorthWest, with its splendid fighting material, be left in a defenceless state without guns, with patriotic offers to organise urgently needed corps ignored. . . . But .. I desire here emphatically to warn the people of Canada that, though they may be indebted for the integrity of their territory, and, indeed, for their national existence, to the forbearance of others, they are, as regards their preparation for war and their state of readiness to resist aggression, living in a fool's paradise." Lord Dundonald, at any rate, has made an effective protest; it remains to be seen whether the Canadians will profit by it. We fear it is unlikely, for at the outset they asserted themselves with an undue severity. The Order in Council, which relieved Lord Dundonald of his command, regretted that that officer failed "to appreciate the principles of British constitu tional government." In other words, the Canadian Ministers reserve to themselves a right, which would never be exercised in England, of interfering with a soldier in the simple exercise of his duty. "Lord Dundonald's recommendation,” says the Order in Council, "of any gentleman for appointment as an officer of the militia would in itself have no force or effect." There is a singular advantage in this plain speaking, because it will reveal to English soldiers what amount of sympathy they may expect in Canada. That Lord Dundonald was guilty of a breach of discipline we are willing to allow. He was technically wrong when he uttered his complaint. But complaint was necessary; and no more can be said than that he would have been more wisely guided had he resigned first and complained afterwards. On the other hand, it is difficult to find any excuse for the Canadian Ministers, whose high-handed action made compromise impossible. We may readily grant that the situation was delicate. Statesmen are as jealous of their power as soldiers are of their independence. Nevertheless a compromise was not impossible until the Order in Council was issued; and compromise is, or should be, the essence of politics. To-day there is no more talk of compromise; Lord Dundonald is relieved of his command; the Canadians are left in their fool's paradise; and probably none is satisfied save the Radical politician, who would always would always do his utmost to out our colonies in the face of recent events, loose from the mother coun- can we believe that she feels a try. But it is especially un- pride in her own defence. A fortunate that the difference vague vanity partially reassures should have arisen at the very her, as it reassured the Russians moment when a gallant at- before Japan declared war; tempt is being made to tighten and with the inert optimism the links which unite us with which too often weakens our our dominions across the sea. colonies she believes that in the Brothers seldom live together last resort the mother country in amity: they resemble one will stand by her. But those another too closely for easy colonies which will not help agreement; they oppose not themselves no mother country a flat surface, but a similar can help; and if America once angularity, to each other's makes up her mind to invade, corners; and nothing save it will be too late for Canada. the kindest forbearance will to ask aid and protection from ensure a constant friendship. us. The United States, comCanada has not shown this manding the lakes, will have no forbearance, and the conse- difficulty in throwing an army quence is that not merely is into Canada, and when once our attempt at a closer union that army is established on our discouraged, but that never frontiers, nothing save reckless again will she have the ad- gallantry, and still more reckvantage of England's counsel less expenditure, will dislodge in her military organisation. it. For after Canada's treatment of Lord Dundonald, no British officer will be found to take his place. Yet it must not be forgotten that in punishing Canada we punish also ourselves. It is in no mood of recrimination that we emphasise the unhappiness of the position. If Canada is living in a fool's paradise, we cannot but share the sad bliss of her ignorance. There is but one end to keep in view, and that is the defence of the Canadian frontier. Across a crooked and arbitrary line is a nation, energetio and alert. Should we ever have a difference with America, her first exploit will be to invade Canada, and Canada is not and will not be able to defend herself. Nor, It is true that Canada is mistress in her own house, as she is never tired of telling us. But her house is so near to our own that we cannot ignore the danger that threatens it. "Tunc tua res agitur, paries cum proximus ardet," and we ourselves shall be involved in the general conflagration. Nevertheless, we are powerless to move. We cannot insist upon a reform of the Canadian Militia, though we cannot forget that a misfortune which falls upon Canada falls also upon us. Indeed, we can do no more than point out the risk which the Dominion is now running. Though her long frontier is unguarded, she will pay no more than half-a-crown a-head for the purposes of military defence; and, while she depends upon England to protect her in time of stress, she will not treat England's soldiers with forbearance or respect. Our warships could and would defend her coasts, but we demand of her that she should do her share on land, and apparently we demand in vain. What, then, does Canada need for her own protection? A small permanent force, which should be ready to strike anywhere and at short notice. If an invasion were repelled for a month, we should yet have time to transport an army across the sea. But if the Americans were permitted to enter Canada unmolested, it might take us years to drive them out. And though the problem is simple enough, Canada declines to solve it. As we have said, she is a prey to the inordinate, if amiable, vanity which overtakes young peoples. She believes herself unvanquished and invincible. In her foolish security she deems the details of guns and men dull and sordid. Who are the Americans that they should dare to assail the greatest of British Colonies ? If there is to be an annexation, surely the Canadians will annex the United States. Did they not beat them before, and are they not all the more ready to beat them again? A vain boast. What shall six millions do against seventy? Meanwhile, though, in Lord Dundonald's words, Canada is living in a fool's paradise, she will do little or nothing to in help herself. She declines to pay taxes for her own defence, and she is satisfied that the nucleus of her army should be a training-school. And, worse than all, she has allowed politics to play their part in a matter which should be above and beyond politics. Now, when the administration of an army is perplexed by political considerations, there is an end of discipline and efficiency. There is only one motive which should influence the government of an army, and that is merit. Where policy is permitted to intervene, there you get intrigue and incapacity. During the last few years we have witnessed Я crisis France, which was brought about merely because Paris confused the conduct of the French army with the inveterate bitterness of party politics; and we throw our opportunity away if we take no warning by the experience of our neighbours. However, we have done our best and failed; henceforth the Canadian Militia must be commanded by a Canadian; it will be our fate to prepare for the defence of a colony over whose military organisation we have no control; and even the loyal NorthWest is powerless to support us. The patriotism which expresses itself in toasts and anthems is well enough; we are grateful for the aid which the faithful Canadians gave us in South Africa; but we should be better pleased if we thought that our fellow-citizens across the sea recognised the danger of their situation, and were |