CHAPTER XIV

PARLIAMENT SHOCKED BY THE CALAMITY

ST. LAWRENCE DISASTER DISCUSSED IN THE COMMONS -- AN APPALLING SHOCK -- FATE'S HEAVY HAND -- BORDEN AND LAURIER EXPRESS SYMPATHY

GOVERNMENTS may seem a little aloof from their people in times of prosperity; but not so in times of trouble. The Canadian Parliament met on May 29th under the shadow of a great disaster. No other business was discussed.

The extras issued early in the morning had been read by members, and when the orders of the day were called the Premier rose with a paper in his hand.

"I would like to say just a word," he said, "respecting the disaster, tidings of which have been brought to us to-day in awful suddenness, and in a dreadful toll of human lives taken. The disaster is one which brings a shock such as we in this country have never felt before. I am speaking of the earlier reports. Later reports are more reassuring. I sincerely hope they are true. That this ship, only a few hours out from Quebec, in the dead of night, and with 1,400 passengers on board, should be so badly damaged as to sink in ten or twenty minutes comes to us in this country and this House as a most appalling shock.

"I do not believe, from reports which have come in, that this is a disaster which could have been averted by anything the country could have done in rendering the navigation of the St. Lawrence more safe. It came in a fog, and could not have been prevented by any safeguards to navigation. In view of the magnitude of the disaster it is fitting that something should be said in this House; that we should express our deepest regret for the disaster and our profound sympathy for those bereaved."

"The hand of fate has been heavy against us during the past few months," said Sir Wilfred Laurier. "This is the third disaster on the St. Lawrence route since navigation opened two months ago, and in loss of life it has surpassed anything since the wreck of the Titanic. In proportion to the number of passengers carried, the loss of life in this event exceeds the Titanic itself.

"It is premature to express an opinion on the disaster, but it is difficult to believe that such an accident could take place in the St. Lawrence so near to Father Point and not be prevented. I will not pass judgment, and I hope it will turn out to be one of those disasters which could not have been prevented by human agency. The sympathies of all will go out to the victims, and perhaps in a more substantial way later on. I will join with the Premier in extending to the families of those who have been lost our sincerest and deepest sympathy."