New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-04-21
PREMIERS ORGANIZE.
IMPERIAL CONFERENCE.
Meetings EUery -Four Years-PeT-
manent Staf-Defence.

London. April 20.--At to-day's session Of the
Colonial Conference &c was unanimously agreed
20 change the title to Imperial Conference" The
conferences will be held every four years for
the purpose of discussing the common interests
of the empire, The Premier Of the United King
dom viii be ex Of1iciO president Of the Imperial
Conference. and the Premlers Of the colonies
and the Colonial Secretary win be ex Oficio MEM
bers. The various governments will appoint
other members but without the special per-
mission Of the conference not more than two
representatives Of each government shall take
part in the discussions. Each government will
have only one vote
This new department OF the Colonial Oflce
is created with a permanent secretarial staff,
which shall be charged with the duty Of OBJ
tanning information for the OF the confer
ence and dealing tentatively with such matters
Of general imperial interest may arise in
the intervals between the conferences.
1t was further decided that when matters
arise which require the consultation of two or
more governments and cannot conveniently be
postponed until the next conference a sub
sidiary conference may be held between special
~ chosen representatives Of the governments
concerned.
The Earl Of E1gin. Secretary OF State for the
Colonies referring TO the matter of military de-
fence. outlined the general principles Of an inl-
perial military organization. and the PFenllerS
concurred in his views. The Premiers tten eX-
planned the defence organizations OF their re-
spectfva colonies and the extent 10 which the
general organization could be put i.1to practice
The draft OF a resolution creating general
staff for the empire tabled. II was re-
solved that the colonies be authorized 20 refer
20 the COMMITTEES of Imperial Defence for adj
vice on local questions in which expert assist
ance was desirable.
Sir Robert Bond. the Premier OF Newfound-
land, attended the conference for the first time
to-day. He was greeted cordially.
Apparently IN response to the demand for
greater publicity. the Colonial Office tonight is
sued long summary Of the proceedings Of the
week. This summary covers mainly the discus
sons which preceded the adoption OF the Fesolu-
tiOns Of to-day The only striking feature COM
municated was the objection OF Str Wilfrid Lau-
rier. the Premier OF Canada, and General Botha.
Premier of the Transvaal. 20 designating the
conference Imperial Council" General Botha
thought the adoption Of the word Council" might
he an infraction upon the rights Of the response
Bile government and Sir WiIfrid Laurier sug-
gested the title Imperial Conference" which was
adopted. All agreed that the conference should
be consultative and advisory only. while the
Earl Of Elgin clInched matters by announcing
that the establishment of body with an indie
pendent status of authority would not be ac
ceptable 20 his majesty's government.
Sir Henry Campbell Bannernans Premier OF
the United Kingdom. gave a private dinner TO
the colonial Preniers at Downing Street to-
night. Almost all the members OF the Cabinet
Guiding Whitelaw Reid. the American Anlbassa-
dor, were present.