Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-06-18
PROVES ITS WORTH
Imperial Conference Justifies
Its Existence.
MUCH PESSIMISM AT FIRST
Caused by Rejection of Dominions'
Proposals for Council of Empire.
TO INTERCHANGE OFFICERS
Imperial and Dominion Navies Thus
Establish Common Standard
of Discipline.
MUCH PESSIMISM AT FIRST
TO INTERCHANGE OFFICERS

LONDON. June 1.-THE imperial con-
ference which at the outset many per
sons feared would be failure, has com.
pletely justified its existence. The cause
OF pessimism in the early period was the
rejection of the dominions' proposals for
the establishment OF council OF the en-
pire. the initial step Of imperial fedora
ton, which, however, the dominions were
afraid would interfere with the autono-
my 80 jealously guarded by Premiers
I4aurier of Canada. Botha OF South Al
RIGA, and Fisher of Australia.
Later. resolutions were introduced aim
ed at the commercial and individual de-
velopment of the British empire. and fol
defense. subjects on which the dominions
and the home government we're in agree
ment.
Hoped for Cheaper Gable Rates.
The home government was unable tc
support the scheme for a state-ownec
Atlantic cable. as the cost was consid'
cred prohibitive, but 1t hoped to obtain
cheaper cable rates by negotiations with
the telegraph companies.
Sir Wflfrid Laurier is as strongly as
ever in favor of preference within the
empire, but has not yet referred the
question to the imperial conference. In
stead, he presented a resolution, which
was adopted last night. providing for
| a royal commission to visit the over
seas dominions and report on trade and
resources and methods for their de-
Ivelopment. This is regarded as one OF
the most important actions Of the con-
| ference.
other practical results of the con-
ference have been the action OF the
British foreign Office in taking the do
minions into it's confidence with regard
to foreign relations and the acceptance
of Premier Laurier's suggestion to
negotiate with foreign governments
with view to giving the overseas
Idominions the right of withdrawal from
any commercial treaty without impair
/ ing such treaty with respect to the re-
mainder of the empire.
Criticised by Unionists.
Sir wilfrid Laurer has been criticised
by the unionist newspapers for his at
titude regarding commercial treaties
and for his insistence on the main
tenance of the autonomy of the do
minions on questions of defense.
The premier has not replied, but his
political supporters. who often speak
| for him, say that the English expected
too much from the conference. There II
no doubt, too, from what his friend.
say, that Sir Wilfrid has not taker
kindly to the attack by some papers or
the United States-Canadian reciprocity
agreement.
| Canadian liberals here are most out
| spoken in protesting against what they
consider interference in the local affair:
| of the dominions.
Criticism of Canadian and Australian
insistence upon the autonomy of 1hei
navies, which was decided upon at tn,
imperial defense conference two year:
ago, has partly been overcome by tn,
scheme adopted for the interchange o
officers of the imperial and dominion
navies, thus establishing common
standard of discipline and training.