Canada's Navy Policy.

New York Times 100 years ago today, February 20, 1913:
    It has taken the Dominion Commons months to bring itself to a vote upon the proposal to contribute $35,000,000 to the Imperial Navy, and the result makes poor comparison with the unanimity of the action of 1909 for a Canadian Navy. Sir Wilfrid's proposal was adopted unanimously by both parties, and with the hearty cooperation of the present Premier, then in opposition. Now he is able to carry his substitute by a vote of only 115 to 83. This was less than his normal strength, the nationalist element of his coalition leaving him, except those more attached to their offices than to their principles.
    A change of sixteen votes on the naval question would upset the present Ministry, and there is reason to believe that it is weaker on the question of reciprocity than on the question of the navy. The opposition is said to be encouraged to further resistance, and other votes may be expected. Whatever their result, no longer can it be said that Canadians are a unit in support of the empire, even in such an emergency as was asserted in order to whip through a measure less popular than the vote indicates. The fire in the rear makes itself heard even in London. The Hon. W. S. Fielding, a former Canadian Minister, publishes the fact that a policy on which Canadians are divided is not a source of strength to the empire, and that he is co-operating with English Commoners to bring back that unity which he assisted to create, and which exists in other colonies.
    The close relation between the naval and reciprocity questions gives this vote added interest on this side the border. An election on the one issue would necessarily involve the other, and there is no presumption in favor of the result which was reached at the last election. That the position of the Borden Ministry is as hollow on reciprocity as on the naval question appears from the advices newspapers supporting him receive from Washington on the revision of the United States tariff. They report exultingly that they will receive reductions of our duties on their exports to the total of $20,000,000, "with no necessity of granting similar concessions to the United States."
    In other words trade with the Yankee is treason to England only when it is the result of a fair bargain. It is loyal to take profits on sales to the United States, but it would be disloyal to take profits on purchases from the United States.