New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1921-06-27
Dominions and Treaty

LIS DIltlSA 1ElpSElal Soii1cISkiSS NIX
Lloyd George said that the domin-
ions had achieved the status Of ma
lions. He didn't define that status
further than to say that the govern
ment Of Great Britain would be glad
to see Canada send minister of her
own to Washington. Canada, Aus
tralia, New Zealand, the South Afri-
can Union and India are members OF
the League Of Nations; yet they are
nations within nation in so far as
they are nations at all, and if their
relations to the mother try-thea
United Kingdom of Great Britain
and Ireland-have been altered by
their entry into the league the extent
of the alteration is still speculative
and undetermined.
The four self-governing don1inions
Canada, Australia, New Zealand
and the South African Union-havs
expressed their opposition to a re-
newal Of the Anglo-Japanese treaty
of alliance in its present form. Cam
ada, at least, is opposed to any re-
newaI at all. If this opposition is
maintained the conference may have
TO undertake to interpret Lloyd
Georges remark that the dorninions
have become nations. II may be con-
strained to decide whether or not the
dorninions are parties to the treaty.
in the sense that It is not renewable
without their consent.
Premier Hughes discussed this
question in the Australian House of
Representatives on April % last. An
amendment to a pending resolution
had been offered, declaring it to be
the opinion Of the House that the
representative Of Australia at the
imperial conference should not be
empowered to commit Australia to
any agreement or understanding ex-
cept on the condition that the same
should be subject to the approval
and ratification Of the people of
Australia. The Prime Minister OPP
posed this amendment. He pointed
out that Australia had no joint au-
thority to renew or terminate the
Anglo-Japanese treaty. He said:
"What are we to think Of honor
able members suggesting that we
should submit to vote Of the people
of Australia treaty to which this
country's assent is not necessary, and
will not be called fora treaty which
can be made over our heads, no mat
ter what form it takes7 This treaty
Is one between Great Britain and
Japan. -. Does any one deny
that il Australia, Canada, New Zea-
land and South Africa were not rep
resented at the imperial conference
Britain must either renew the treaty
or allow it to lapse? The position is
very clear: The treaty, IL renewed,
will be between Britain and Japan"
Mr.. Hughes told the House that he
had urged the calling Of an imperial
conference in 1920, in order to per-
NIT Australia, to present her views
regarding a renewal Of the Japanese
treaty. He said that the British
government was glad to take counsel
with the dominions, and that he
would go, to London to oppose re-
newal ins any form which might give
offense TO the United States. But he
held out no hope that the Australian
people could interpose anything like
veto at; London. 1If cur people do
not approve" he said, that will not
alter mattersiby one-thousandth part
of an inch"
Whether Lloyd Georges speech to
the domnllon, premiers has altered
the situation remains to be seen.
The imperial conference represents
the empire in a sense. But there Is
no imperial government to act as its
organ. Probably harmony will be
achieved, the opinions Of the domin-
Tens will be taken into account and
the British government will execute
whatever decision is taken with the
full assent of the self-governing ma
tons within the empire.
But the Lloyd George speech and
the Hughes theory are in conflict,
What the conference may do to har-