New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-06-04
FOR IMPERIAL UNITY
British Conference Not Likely 10
Result in Organic Federation
Premier of New Zealand Has
Proposed an Imperial Coun'
Gil of State.
London. May ~

IsOnOOn. hda
Progress in the direction OF Imperial
federation has been cautious and SLOW.
The first conference Of premiers was he'u
twenty -four years ago, when ho'"
Knutsford was Colonial Secretar! az"
Lord Salisbury was Prime Minister
Compliments were exchanged ana Dali
quets were served, but little was done "
strengthen the bonds between o"@
motherland and the circle Of independent
nations under the British flag. Eduah9
ineffective was the second conference
seven years afterward. when the la'e
| Lord Ripon was at the head OF the Co'o-
| NAL Office and Lord Rosebery. the n,"s'
eloquent advocate Of imperial federa''o"'
was Mr.. Gladstone's successor me
next two conferences were held IN 1919
and 1907. when Mr.. chamberlain WIS
the most powerful member OF cue
I'nionist government and was bent upon
taking up the unity of the empire as
business proposition. The preniers 10y ,
that time had become committee ID
the Privy Council. but they were not pre-
IA red to form an advisory council WIN
mi,Itarism on guard nor To- recommend
preferential treatment without fec'-
procity In kind. The fifth meeting OF
premicrs was held in 1907. when sir
Henry Campbell Bannerman hcadeu
government committed irrevocably 10
Free Trade and no approach to fedora
ton was made, beyond the establish
ment Of a permanent secretariat ana the
adoption of the name OF Imperial Con-
| ference.
| What will be accomplished by the new
conference. assembling on the eve OF the
coronation Of an imperiaist King APP
parently nothing in the direction OF or
! Canic federation. since that implies con-
centration of commercial and industrial
interests through imperial preference or
a zollverein. before the overseas dornih-
ions can he qualified for adequate par
ticipation in the defence OF the empire
and In the conduct Of allBritish ahairs.
Neither Mr.. Asquith nor Mr.. Harcourt'
who will preside over the sessions OF 'he
conference. is prepared To make any
COMPROMISE with the Cobdenite doctrine
for the sake OF encouraging independent
national growth within the empire ana
| Increasing the force OF gravitation
toward the mother country. tonsoiida-
,iop II IL be facilitated at this con
ference, must come from some nepu'ous
theory Of alliance Of independent cor"
mopweaIths bound together by common
| ALLEGIANCE TO the throne. IL VIII not he
n fiscal question. with cohtro'ersiai
economies behind IL. II VIII lhNo'Ne '"e
creation Of advisory functions FOR pody
Of hjah commissioners representing ''e
various self-governing dominlohs ne
secre,ariat. which Is now bureau OF
rews agency of the Colonial once. VIII
no reinforced by imperial delegates COM
petent to give advice on various saie
subjects. The permanent Imperial couh-
cu ~ one he formed. will not I've armeu
with executive powers.
Sir Joseph Ward. the New Heaiaho
| Premier, has taken the lead IN cohst''"-
tionaI construction. He has proposed All
! immortal Council of State. with represeh-
,o,ive. from all constituent parts OF the
empire. whether self-governing or crown
doncndencies This viii be consui'a ,
Ito. hody. which can give advice when
ever II il wanted on any question ahec'-
| ing the interests of overseas doininiohs'
As there are High commissioners III
! Iondon for Australia. Canada ana other
commemorative. and also permanent
opents for the crown colonies. the repre-
sentatiyes are on the ground FOR an ao-
viecrv council Of this kind. The work
which II can do is illustrated by one or
the topics To be discussed by the pre-
micrs. This Is the Declaration Of Lon
| don. against which the Australian gov
| eminent has entered an emphatic pro-
| test. If the colonial premiers are not
convinced by Sir Edward Grey's defence
| of the new naval code and unite in con-
dcmning IT they will exercise an effec-
| tive veto power over British diplomacy
and bring to naught the deliberations OF
n picked body Of experts representing
| ten maritime powers This Is, however.
! an exceptional instance Of the effective
| employment Of advisory functions. Sell
| dom can tIle pTopOS'u illlptiidi touH'h
! Of State intervene with equa, potency In
/ British affairs.
Sir Joseph Ward. supported by General
! Botha will also recommend the recon-
| struction Of the Colonial Office. The idea
! IL to differentiate the overseas dominions
| which have premiers Of their own from
| the crown colonies. which are only per-
mitted to have as much self-goNernment
as the British governors consider good
| for them. There will be a permanent
| under secretary for each department.
! and their chief Ia to have the glorifed /
| title of Secretary Of State for Imperial
| Affairs The High Commissioners are to
have special dignities and privileges in
the self governing branch OF the Colonial
| Office and they are also TO be members
| of the committee OF imperial defence. A
similar project was discussed at the last
| conference four years ago. but nothing
| came OF 1t except the organization Of a
| secretariat To serve as n medium Of COM
] munication between the Colonial Office
| and the dominion governments. II Sir
! Joseph Ward can have his way the High
| Commissioners Will become an advisory
| council OF amba ssadcrs. whose opinion
| must be asked on every important diplo-
matte subject and every matter OF all
| British interest.
BENJAMIN Franklin. branded az a thief
| and a traitor by the INSCRIPTIONS We'd
derburn I'm the treasury cockpit in the
presence OF large gathering ~ privy
councillors and members Of Parliament.