requirements, and provision of factories for war matériel-a very important want for such a naval and military force as Canada requires for her defence were begun now, it must be some time before the coping-stone is laid.

Necessarily, of course, the subject of defence must be looked at from the financial as well as from the purely military standpoint; but, fortunately, the prosperity of the Dominion is both steadily and rapidly advancing.

The military conscription of the continent of Europe is neither required nor thought of for Canada, or any part of the British Empire; but no one can be blind to the defensive advantages which the organized military training of youth and a modified form of universal service1 would be to the Dominion, apart from the excellent physical and disciplinary effect (in a moral sense) which it would bring with it. If the full strength of her defensive power were thus put forth, and if, as may be anticipated, the old spirit continues to animate her people, Canada may hope confidently to maintain in war the integrity of her soil.

In respect of resources, population, army and navy, and her position as a member of a powerful Empire, she should at least enter into any future contest under circumstances as favourable, if not more favourable, than those of 1812-14.2

But preparation beforehand is to-day more than ever necessary, and to build up such a naval and military force as would deter any enemy from attempting aggression requires time.

1 Now being strongly advocated in many parts of Canada.

2 See p. 39.

Lord Grey's speech at the prorogation of the Dominion Parliament1 may well be quoted here:

"I feel as convinced as I am that to-morrow's sun will rise that if you keep true to the highest ideals of duty and disinterested service, nothing can prevent you from becoming, perhaps before the close of the present century, not only the granary, but the heart, soul, and rudder of the Empire."

The foregoing pages may, it is hoped, assist in some degree to draw general attention to the subject of Canadian defence, which, apart from naval or military professional details, has many aspects of much interest to the general public; and to say more here would secure no useful purpose.2

It has been one of the most valuable results of the late Imperial Defence Conference that there is now in Canada a Canadian Headquarters Section3 of the Imperial General Staff, which, in confidential touch on the spot with all that relates to Canadian defence in its many details, will (in communication with the Chief of the Imperial General Staff in Great Britain) have to consider those naval and military arrangements which, according to the circumstances of the moment, bear upon the security of the frontier of Canada.

A well-known student of and writer upon Imperial and military questions has recently said :4 "In modern times each nation that has made

1 Alluding to the future of Canada (Ottawa, May 4, 1910).

2 For reasons touched upon on p. 22.

3 See Appendix IV.

4 Mr. Spencer Wilkinson, Chichele Professor of Military History at Oxford, lecture upon "Thoughts on Imperial Defence," delivered at the Royal Colonial Institute, June 7, 1910.

its mark has first made its own tactics. . . . The French revolutionary armies in the first four years of the war against all Europe acquired a suppleness of manoeuvre and of tactical judgment which made them for fourteen years superior on every battlefield on which they appeared, except in the Peninsula, where they had to face Wellington, whose tactical judgment was superior to their

Canada has already a military history within her own borders, and inherits also the naval and military history of Great Britain and of France. In now entering upon the creation of her own navy and further organizing her defences, she does so under the advantage of recent and valuable suggestions1 and advice from men who have deeply studied Imperial defence, and have had wide and practical experience of the requirements of war in all quarters of the globe.

Thus the foundation of her defensive system has been well and thoughtfully laid, and justifies the belief that the zeal and patriotism of her people will be so directed in the future upon her traininggrounds of sea and lake and land as to develop able naval and military leaders, and such a system of tactics (adapted to her frontiers and forces) as will, through peace or war, increase her prestige as a nation, and maintain her territory an inviolate portion of the British Empire.

Also by

1 Made at the Imperial Defence Conference of last year. Lord Kitchener in his recent report upon the land forces of Australia; and by General Sir John French in connection with his more recent inspection of her own land forces as they exist at this moment.

APPENDIX I

EXTRACTS FROM THE "CHICAGO TRIBUNE" OF JANUARY 30, 1898.1

THE naval authorities at Washington have thoroughly investigated the situation of Chicago in the event of attack from the Canadian shore, and, after doing some figuring and drawing up some simple plans, have dismissed the matter as settled for ever.

There are but four ways for an enemy to reach Chicago, and three of these are by land. From the Atlantic coast the city is separated by 1,000 miles, and no foe could penetrate the country. It is a like distance from the Gulf States, and an invading army would be annihilated long before it reached the Mason and Dixie line.

The idea of an invading army landing in San Francisco and crossing the Sierra Nevadas and the Rockies en route for Chicago is so preposterous as to require no attention

whatever.

The only possible point from which an enemy could hope to reach this city is by way of the great lakes. If vessels could be fitted out with guns, and despatched here from the Canadian border, and if Chicago and the Government did not raise a hand to prevent, an army might be landed on the lake front, and ships might train guns upon the city.

But they will never do it. The auxiliary navy that Chicago has now and at all times within her harbour is sufficient to blow out of the water any possible squadron that would be sent against us.

1 This was the year of the Spanish-American War (see p. 112).

POWERFUL FLEET AT HAND.

Few realize what a really powerful fleet is at hand, ready to be transformed into a fighting force. It is often said that the Government is entirely unprepared for an attack upon these waters, and the treaty between this country and Great Britain is referred to in proof. That treaty stipulates that neither country shall maintain more than four warships upon the lakes, and that these ships shall not be larger than 100 tons, armed with one 18-pound gun. This treaty was adopted by both countries during the year 1817, and the provisions have been practically ignored by both countries.

There are now on the lakes one United States war-vessel, the side-wheel barque Michigan, which was constructed in Pittsburg, removed in sections to Erie, and there put together in 1841. The Michigan created a storm of remonstrance on the part of the British, who claimed that this country had broken its agreement. As a matter of fact, the Michigan is a 498-ton vessel, armed with two 8-inch guns and four 32-pound carronades. While the vessel is of an obsolete type, it is a formidable foe to any vessel that could be brought against it by the Canadians.

But Uncle Sam has other vessels that may be turned into fighting ships. They are not called warships, but revenue cutters. They are fleet, and are able to do as much in the way of a sea-fight as any other vessels of their tonnage.

Foremost among the three cutters is the new Gresham, a splendid steel screw-steamer, built with a ram-bow, of 770 tons, one long rapid-fire gun, and the rest1 for half a dozen more if occasion requires. The Gresham is in reality a superb

cruiser.

The Fessenden is an old side-wheel cutter of 350 tons, which carries four good-sized guns of old style, but capable of good execution. This vessel is regarded as fast, and would certainly sink any merchantman that sought to encounter it. Chicagoans are familiar with the graceful cutter that is

1 Meaning probably "emplacement."