17 MARCH 1967, Page 8

A hundred years ago

From the 'Spectator,' 16 March 1867—The New Englanders seem to be in a panic about the Canadian Federation, which they call a breach of the Monroe doctrine, as it will tend to establish a kingdom on the Northern frontier. They think that if Prince Alfred is the Viceroy he will soon become King. We do not quite see what the Ameri- cans are afraid of. Till Canada separates from England the Viceroy cannot be a King. When it separates from England it will lose the strength of the English Army and Navy, and be a much less formidable power than it now is. What is it they dislike?—the mere name of a monarchy? A constitutional King is, after all, only a Governor- General with much diminished power.