The three fields in which this new policy was worked out were trade, defense, and political organization.Canada had asserted her right to control her tariff and commercial treaty relations as she pleased.Now she used this freedom to offer, without asking any return in kind, tariff privileges to the mother country.In the first budget brought down by the Minister of Finance in the Laurier Cabinet, William S.Fielding, a reduction, by instalments, of twenty-five per cent in tariff duties was offered to all countries with rates as low as Canada's--that is, to the United Kingdom and possibly to the Netherlands and New South Wales.The reduction was meant both as a fulfilment of the Liberal party's free trade pledges and as a token of filial good will to Britain.It was soon found that Belgium and Germany, by virtue of their special treaty rights, would claim the same privileges as Britain, and that all other countries with most favored nation clauses could then demand the same rates.This might serve the free trade aims of the Fielding tariff but would block its imperial purpose.If this purpose was to be achieved, these treaties must be denounced.To effect this was one of the tasks Laurier undertook in his first visit to England in 1897.
The Diamond Jubilee of Queen Victoria, celebrating the sixtieth anniversary of her reign, was made the occasion for holding the third Colonial Conference.It was attended by the Premiers of all the colonies.Among them Wilfrid Laurier, or Sir Wilfrid as he now became, stood easily preeminent.In the Jubilee festivities, among the crowds in London streets and the gatherings in court and council, his picturesque and courtly figure, his unmistakable note of distinction, his silvery eloquence, and, not least, the fact that this ruler of the greatest of England's colonies was wholly of French blood, made him the lion of the hour.In the Colonial Conference, presided over by Joseph Chamberlain, the new Colonial Secretary, Laurier achieved his immediate purpose.The British Government agreed to denounce the Belgian and German treaties, now that the preference granted her came as a free gift and not as part of a bargain which involved Britain's abandonment of free trade.The other Premiers agreed to consider whether Canada's preferential tariff policy could be followed.
Chamberlain in vain urged defense and political policies designed to centralize power in London.He praised the action of the Australian colonies in contributing money to the British navy but could get no promise of similar action from the others.He urged the need of setting up in London an imperial council, with power somewhat more than advisory and likely "to develop into something still greater," but for this scheme he elicited little support.
After the Conference Sir Wilfrid visited France and in ringing speeches in Paris did much to pave the way for the good understanding which later developed into the entente cordiale.
The glitter and parade of the Jubilee festivities soon gave way to a sterner phase of empire.For years South Africa had been in ferment owing to the conflicting interests of narrow, fanatical, often corrupt Boer leaders, greedy Anglo-Jewish mining magnates, and British statesmen-Rhodes, Milner, Chamberlain--dominated by the imperial idea and eager for an "all-red" South Africa.
Eventually an impasse was reached over the question of the rights and privileges of British subjects in the Transvaal Republic.On October 9, 1899, President Kruger issued his fateful ultimatum and war began.
What would be Canada's attitude toward this imperial problem? She had never before taken part in an overseas war.Neither her own safety nor the safety of the mother country was considered to be at stake.Yet war had not been formally declared before a demand arose among Canadians that their country should take a hand in rescuing the victims of Boer tyranny.The Venezuela incident and the recent Jubilee ceremonies had fanned imperialist sentiment.
The growing prosperity was increasing national pride and making many eager to abandon the attitude of colonial dependence in foreign affairs.The desire to emulate the United States, which had just won more or less glory in its little war with Spain, had its influence in some quarters.Belief in the justice of the British cause was practically universal, thanks to the skillful manipulation of the press by the war party in South Africa.
Leading newspapers encouraged the campaign for participation.
Parliament was not in session, and the Government hesitated to intervene, but the swelling tide of public opinion soon warranted immediate action.Three days after the declaration of war an order in council was passed providing for a contingent of one thousand men.Other infantry battalions, Mounted Rifles, and batteries of artillery were dispatched later.Lord Strathcona, formerly Donald Smith of the Canadian Pacific syndicate, by a deed recalling feudal days, provided the funds to send overseas the Strathcona Horse, roughriders from the Canadian West.In the last years of the war the South African Constabulary drew many recruits from Canada.All told, over seven thousand Canadians crossed half the world to share in the struggle on the South African veldt.
