Delegation, stated frankly (Vancouver Sun, Aug. 13) that "the selection of Sir Wilfrid Laurier as leader meant that the Liberals have chosen a man who, as an Imperial statesman has not an equal in or out of Canada." A side issue of comment was the holding of Austro-German meetings in Saskatchewan and Alberta-Vonda, Gravelburg, East Regina, Kindersley, Kaiser, etc.-and expressions of support to Liberalism as represented by the Convention-in which, by the way, a German settler at Dundurn named E. J. Meilicke, had been prominent.

Open dissatisfaction soon developed and was first expressed by a signed protest of Winnipeg Liberals, calling a public meeting, which included such well-known names as Isaac Pitblado, J. H. Ashdown, Frank O. Fowler, E. D. Martin, J. B. Coyne, Walter H. Trueman, T. A. Crerar, C. N. Bell and R. D. Waugh. The Grain Growers' Guide (Aug. 15) declared that "in its war policy and in its endorsation of Laurier the Convention did not represent the best thought and opinion of the Prairie Provinces'; the North Winnipeg delegates met (Aug. 17) and urged the formation at once of a Ñational Government while D. A. Ross, M.L.A., E. A. August, M.L.A., John Graham, M.L.A., and Andrew Graham of Pomeroy-all of Manitoba-wrote expressing disapproval of the Convention in its War and Laurier motions; South Winnipeg Liberals met on Aug. 21 and 2,000 people approved a Resolution in favour of Conscription, repudiating on this account the leadership of Sir W. Laurier and declaring for a National Government-preferably under new leadership and without a War election. At this meeting Mr. Premier Norris expressed himself as being opposed to Laurier leadership under present conditions and stated that his views put before the Resolutions Committee were in favour of a Western Liberal group pledged to no leader: "I have nothing more to say except that our leader having failed us, I am now ready to support Sir Robert Borden in the formation of a National Government pledged to win the War."

Whatever the forces behind the conclusions of the Union Gov- Winnipeg Convention, its attitude marked the highest ernment: Final Stage point of the opposition to Sir Robert Borden and of Formation. his Union proposals; it showed, also, that the position of Liberalism in the West toward Coalition was divided with a very strong element against any such policy and with a strong desire for general elections and a party decision. As Eastern Liberalism also was divided with vigorous support for the Union Government ideal together with a natural desire in many quarters that such a Government should have a Liberal or nonConservative head, the issue became complex. Against this latter desire was the feeling of a united Conservative party, outside of Quebec, which was willing to follow Sir Robert in a re-organization of his own Government but was absolutely unwilling to hand over the reins of power to any Liberal leader. The question, therefore, was clearly one of a re-organization such as the Premier had so long urged or a general election fought amid chaotic conditions with a

confused and divided Liberalism, a Conservative party without French-Canadian support, a Quebec united behind its own leader, a West with at least one certain vote-the French-Canadians and the naturalized aliens. For a short time following the Convention many Unionist Liberals declared that the Prime Minister would be unable to succeed in his efforts. The Toronto Star (Aug. 23) urged him to let someone else try a hand at Union Government and the Vancouver Sun suggested F. B. Carvell; the Hon. J. A. Calder visited Ottawa and, according to a Memorandum made public by the Regina Leader on Dec. 12 following, endeavoured to organize Liberal weekly newspapers to be published in Ontario and Winnipeg in opposition to the Borden Government; antagonism to the Canadian Northern policy of the Government developed and was pressed in Parliament by Liberals who on this point and some others were re-united; the violence of French-Canadian feelings as to Conscription reached a head and had to be firmly dealt with.

On the other hand public meetings at Regina, Victoria, Vancouver, Brandon, Winnipeg and other Western points called for a Union non-partisan Government and were led by such representative men as Peter McAra, Regina, and Lieut. M. Malcolm, Liberal M.L.A. for Hanley; Lindley Crease, K.C., and Hon. A. C. Flumerfelt, Victoria; Sir Augustus Nanton and Chief Justice T. G. Mathers, Rev. E. Leslie Pidgeon and John Galt, Winnipeg; Rev. Principal Vance and Nicol Thompson, Vancouver. From Prof. Arch. McMechan of Dalhousie University, Halifax, and the Rev. Dr. E. D. McLaren of Vancouver, came urgent press appeals to support Borden and Union Government. Many other meetings in August developed as the days passed-2,000 women of Vancouver, for instance, demanding National Government with similar meetings of women at Portage La Prairie, Brandon and Winnipeg. Win-the-War meetings were held at Virden and Selkirk, Manitoba; at Vancouver, addressed by E. P. Davis, K.C., and L. G. McPhillips, K.c.; at Victoria, addressed by M. B. Jackson M.L.A. (Lib.) and Chief Justice Hunter and at other points; while Resolutions were passed by such bodies as the Life Underwriters of Canada meeting at Winnipeg. At this juncture came the resignation of Mr. Rogers as Minister of Public Works and the removal of one of the chief reasons given by many Liberals for not supporting the Premier's effort; almost at the same time came the introduction to Parliament of the Military Voters Bill which ensured a large Soldiers' vote for the Government, and on Aug. 20 a gathering at Ottawa of Western Liberal public men, concerned in the Union Government proposals-Sir Clifford Sifton, his brother Hon. A. L. Sifton, Premier of Alberta; Hon. J. A. Calder, Minister of Public Works, Saskatchewan; H. W. Wood, President of the United Farmers of Alberta; T. A. Crerar, Winnipeg, President of the Grain Growers' Grain Co.; and J. G. Turriff, M.P.

With these events and following the Convention there was played at Ottawa a game of politics and patriotism so inter-mixed, so cleverly manipulated, so resourceful and varied in weapon and method as to have no precedent in Canadian history. For months Sir Robert Borden had pressed, with tact and diplomacy and honest

earnestness, his project of Union Government, his appeal to the non-partisan sentiment of Parliament and the country at a serious crisis in world affairs; his effort to avert a general election and then, when it became inevitable, to prevent it from being chaotic and unfruitful in result and to make clear, also, the delaying evils of a Referendum on Conscription; his fear that an isolated and hostile Quebec might be established in the midst of Confederation unless the Conscription issue could be taken out of politics. Now, when it became clear that Sir Wilfrid Laurier and many of his followers, both East and West, wanted a general election, the Premier used every point of political vantage which could come to him as a Party leader. Conciliation enlarged the split in Liberal ranks; he had never been a vehement disputant or shown personal feeling in politics and during this difficult Session he kept the House upon as even a keel as possible. The War-times Franchise Act brought in a large electorate of women voters who would probably be friendly to the Government, and disfranchised a large Western element which was undoubtedly hostile to both Government and war-policy. The attitude taken in presenting an Address to the King, asking for the extension of Parliament and at the same time stating that it would not be pressed unless given large Liberal support, put the onus of a war election upon Sir W. Laurier and his party. Taken altogether the Session, both before and after this last stage in his Union Government efforts, showed the Premier to be a stronger and more able man than his opponents had dreamed of and a more adroit and firmer leader than his own followers had believed him to be.

From Aug. 20 onward the negotiations at Ottawa and elsewhere assumed an active and continuous form. Much depended upon Mr. Calder. The position of Hon. A. L. Sifton, representing Alberta and accompanied to Ottawa by H. W. Wood, was known to be favourable, as was that of the Manitoba Government, as a whole, with T. A. Crerar representing the Grain Growers of that Province. But Mr. Calder was at this time the leading Liberal of the West in many respects; he was an expert organizer and had been looked upon as the Opposition's chief Western support in that connection; he was a shrewd and far-seeing politician. On the 22nd it was announced that Messrs. Calder, Sifton, Wood and Crerar had left for the West; on the 23rd they met in Winnipeg and conferred with Mr. Premier Martin and Hon. C. A. Dunning of Saskatchewan and Hon. A. B. Hudson of the Manitoba Government. Mr. Wood issued a statement that "while he favoured the formation of a Union Government, he himself would not be a member of it as he considered there were others with more experience and ability available.' The Toronto Globe at this point (Aug. 25) interjected its view as follows: "To uphold the honour of the country all parties should be fused in a National Administration to enforce a national policy. Liberals must be concerned with the verdict of history on the part. they play at this critical time." Meanwhile the issue was said, according to The Globe correspondent at Ottawa (Aug. 27) to turn upon leadership, while the, Winnipeg Free Press of Aug. 29 declared

that the Western Liberals were only willing to join under Hon. L. P. Duff of the Supreme Court, Ottawa, Chief Justice Sir Wm. Mulock of Ontario, Chief Justice Sir Fred. Haultain of Saskatchewan, Sir George Foster or Sir Adam Beck.

At this juncture, on Aug. 29, the Conservative caucus met at Ottawa with J. E. Armstrong in the chair, and tendered the Prime Minister a demonstration of affection and support. Sir Robert reviewed the negotiations from his first effort to obtain Sir W. Laurier's adhesion to the present proposals for an equal representation of prominent Liberals and Conservatives; stated that three of the Western leaders had wired him from Winnipeg on Aug. 23 that* "they favoured a National Government and the formation of a War Council of six, of which Sir Robert Borden should be one, but they thought a change of leadership essential and suggested four gentlemen, of whom Sir George E. Foster was first named and added the understanding that all these gentlemen would, under another leader, be willing to serve, together with strong Eastern colleagues." Sir Robert went on to say that the question of forming a Union Government, based upon the support of all elements of the population prepared to join in an earnest effort to help in winning the War, was above personal or party consideration. He strongly emphasized his conviction that any question as to the personal status or political fortunes of any individual was utterly insignificant and expressed his absolute willingness to retire altogether, or to serve under Sir George Foster, if the result would be to unite all elements of the population and have them represented in a Union Government. Sir George Foster followed and emphasized the warm friendship and co-operation which had existed between Sir Robert and himself, his appreciation of the immensity of the task that had confronted the Prime Minister since the outbreak of hostilities and of the untiring patience and devotion that had held him to the performance of duties during which he had acquired vast knowledge of conditions and requirements not only in Canada but Overseas as well. He was willing to serve in any capacity but firmly believed that the full strength of the country would not be available unless Sir R. Borden remained at the head of the Government. Amidst a scene of great enthusiasm the following Resolution was approved:

We, the supporters of Sir Robert Borden's Government in the Parliament of Canada, record our emphatic approval of that Government's policy and achievements during these three years of war. We endorse the earnest and patient efforts of the Prime Minister to bring about a union of all the war forces of Canada and to give to this Dominion in these days of ever-increasing stress, suffering and peril, the advantage of an Administration which would typify that union and speak to the world the unswerving resolution of our people to see this war through to victory. For the purpose of such union we are, one and all, prepared to make any personal or party sarcifice that the occasion may demand. We record unanimously our profound admiration of the great work and splendid leadership of Sir Robert Borden. We sincerely believe that no other man can discharge with like capacity the tremendous task of Prime Minister during this crisis and that now, of all times, his continuance

Those mentioned were assumed by the press to be Messrs. Sifton, Calder, Crerar and Isaac Pitblado. The other proposed leaders were Sir W. Muloek, F. B. Carvell or Sir Adam Beck.

in the Premiership is indispensable to the nation, and to his support we pledge our unalterable devotion.

This Conservative attitude, coupled with the known aversion of many Conservatives to any Coalition and the aggressive position of many Western Liberals, apart from those who demanded another leader, appeared to kill the project and a large part of the press began to line up for the Elections and to discuss Party politics. But the patient persistence of Sir Robert Borden was not even yet fully appreciated. Elements of popular support, also, were soon shown. The Hon. Edward Brown, Provincial Treasurer, Winnipeg, was outspoken in his view (Aug. 30): "In my mind, Sir Robert Borden is acceptable as leader of a Union Government, and I am not in sympathy with any attempt to drive a hard bargain at this time. Sir Robert was the father of the Military Service Bill and he is the logical leader of a Union Government to carry it out." The women of Winnipeg, in a mass-meeting representing all the city organizations, declared unanimously in favour of a non-partisan National Government, as did Win-the-War meetings at Esquimalt, B.C., Morris and Dauphin, Manitoba-the latter addressed by Rev. E. A. Smith, President of the Manitoba Methodist Conference. Others followed at Mather, Virden, Melfort, Brandon, in Manitoba, Rossland, Vernon, Nelson, in British Columbia, and Regina, Sask.the latter urging Sir Robert Borden to resume negotiations. This meeting was presided over by J. A. Allan, K.C., and addressed by D. B. Thom, K.C., Principal Stapleford of Regina College, G. H. Barr, L. T. McDonald and Robert Sinton, who were all well-known Liberals. Eight prominent Calgary Liberals on Aug. 31 telegraphed the Premier promising support of many Alberta colleagues; Sir C. H. Tupper, speaking at Chilliwack, B.C. (Sept. 3) declared strongly for Union Government as did Prof. W. F. Osborne in Winnipeg. On the 12th a Delegation from the Canadian Manufacturers' Association waited on Sir Robert Borden and submitted Resolutions of its Executive, pledging support to the enforcement of Conscription and urging that: "It is essential that the Cabinet be re-organized along lines that will secure the fullest possible measure of national unity and co-operation and that a larger proportion of business men than heretofore should be included."

Meanwhile the War-times Election Act had been introduced (Sept. 6) and was slowly passing through Parliament, while its electoral significance was permeating political thought. It was announced at the same time that Sir Robert intended to re-organize his Cabinet at the close of the Session and a Globe despatch from Ottawa on Sept. 14 mentioned Hon. A. L. Sifton, J. G. Turriff, M.P., and Hugh Guthrie as possibilities, while declaring that F. B. Carvell, J. A. Calder, G. H. Murray, N. W. Rowell, T. A. Crerar and others. mentioned in the past were now definitely out of it; Parliamentary debates over the War Franchise Bill became vehement and aroused strong party feeling. On the 10th the Prime Minister had replied to an inquiry from E. P. Davis, K.C., a leading Vancouver Libera!, that: "It is both my purpose and my expectation to form a Union Government before the general election, which is now imminent.