e new nationhood of Canada born of the war.
You, or any other leader, even as Tory or as clear Grit, would not
foist upon this free nation any issue which does not do justice to the
sense of nationhood begotten by the war. Would you?"

"I will say--no."

"Then as to the Anglo-Japanese Alliance?"

"Canada must be free, because she has a vital interest in the American
aspect of such an Alliance that even Britain has not. This nation is
the electric transmission transformer between Britain and the United
States. There is a Pacific zone of policy in which Canada has a big
stake."

"I see. Now as to the next election?"

The Premier rises: now thinner and more intense than ever.

"My friend--just this. The solidarity of the British Commonwealth
League of Nations is at the root of the welfare of the civilized world.
In every nation of this League, no matter by what party label the
Unionist cause is identified in the baggage room, it is a matter of
vital importance to the solidarity of the League that such party should
remain or go into power. So--I hope to get from the Conference such a
reasonable endorsation of Canada's stand on the main issues that our
party here----"

He pauses and gazes fixedly at a large map of Western Canada. The
visitor imagines that he is looking at Portage, his home town.

"Er--you were saying, Mr. Meighen?"

"Medicine Hat," he answered vacantly. "Somehow, you know--I wish
Kipling had never made that remark about Medicine Hat,--'all hell for a
basement.'"

"You don't worry about the Hat just because there's going to be a
bye-election while you're away?"

"No,--for I know pretty well that I won't hold that seat. What worries
me is the fool use that some people will make of a freak election as a
forerunner of doom. However, as I was saying about the Conference--I
hope to get such a reasonable endorsation of Canada's stand on the main
issues that our party here can work to victory advantage in the next
election. I may as well be honest. Arthur Meighen, Premier, has not
yet been elected. But he intends to be, because he ought to be,
because the party he leads can do this country more good for the next
few years than anything else in sight; because the party which carried
the war and the re-establishment has been given a new lease of life, at
least some vision, and a vast deal of experience which Canada is going
to need from now on more than she can ever need the wholesale patent