Canada's Declaration of War
After a strong lead by the Cabinet the Canadian House of Commons decided on September loth withou" a division to participate in the War, and a formal declarati,-1 has been officially proclaimed. Since the last War the ConsLitution of Canada has become that of an absolutely self-governing Dominion, and she is not bound by any decision taken at Westminster. But there has been no hesitation on her part. Since she is in an exceptional position as a neighbour of the United States, sharing with them many interests geographi- cal and economic, it was conceivable that a section of the country, and especially the French-Canadians, might have desired to participate in the policy of isolation from Europe. But the few who desired to state that case did not press the question to a division. It is clear that the Canadian House of Commons felt that it was voicing the irresistible feeling of all the provinces when it adopted the motion and resolved on war. Recruiting will be on a voluntary basis, but the response is not in doubt. The splendid role that was played by the Canadians in the last War has become part of the Empire tradition. The support that is promised Britain from overseas is another warning to Germany that our strength will steadily grow as hers diminishes, and that we have the power to persist.
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