When this Canadian tariff was first made the other nations smiled at it as a meaningless piece of legislation, but as they thought over it they saw its true meaning, and at once denounced it as an attempt to make England false to her agreement with Germany and Belgium. England saw the force of this herself, and did not attempt to take advantage of the reduced rates of the Canadian tariff. This did not disconcert Sir Wilfrid Laurier in the least. He had put the new law through for a certain purpose, and he was willing to wait patiently until he could secure the desired end. His opportunity came at the Conference. After the Colonial Secretary had answered the premiers that he thought it better to wait a while before federating, the Canadian Prime Minister made a very earnest speech. Having first stated that the time had come to take some decided action, he said that he and all the other premiers were of one mind that Great Britain should make an end of all her treaties with foreign countries which hampered her trade with her colonies. He added that if this were done the various governments would see if some arrangement could not be made by which a preference would be given to British manufactures. These remarks met with the most enthusiastic indorsement from the other prime ministers, who requested that they be embodied in a resolution, and presented to the Colonial Secretary for parliamentary consideration. Mr. Chamberlain therefore laid the matter before the government, and it was thereupon decided to end the two treaties mentioned. Notice was accordingly sent to both Germany and Belgium that the existing treaties would cease on July 30, 1898. Canada and the colonies are highly elated over this matter, for it is understood that this is but the first step toward federation. That the foreign Powers will be very much opposed to this plan is a foregone conclusion. The foreign journals are speaking very severely about it, and saying that England is much mistaken if she thinks that such an arrangement would make her powerful enough to dictate to the world. The day when federation will be completed is still very far off, however; the colonies themselves are not federated as yet, and it is hard to suppose that they are ready to come together and be happy as one country with England when they are still divided among themselves. Newfoundland is outside the Canadian federation; Cape Colony, in South Africa, is divided into several states; Australia has five separate states, each with its own governor and legislature. These states should first be joined together before they can safely venture to combine with the mother country in an alliance which would be against the world. Germany and Belgium are both incensed that England should seek to put an end to the treaties. Some hot heads in Germany are urging their Government to return blow for blow, and commence a tariff war with England. * * * * *