The New York herald., 1921-07-17
GIBBS SEES new ERA
IN CONFERENCES OF
IMPERIAL PREM|ERS
British Empire Ceases to Be
Aggregation of Colonies
and Becomes Federation.
CLEARS WAY FOR PEACE
Solid Front Now Presented
to Fight Economic and
Other World Menaces.
SHUTS STALWART FACTOR
Effect of DOminions' Activity
Shown in Progress in
Ending Irish War.
SHUTS STALWART FACTOR
BY SIR PHILIP GIBBS.

Copyright, 1891, by THE New YORK HERALD.
LONDON, July 16.-The British En-
pire, which during the war revealed
for the first time in history its real
strength and unity as federation
of free peoples, has during recent
days claimed rights which formerly
were limited to the prerogative of
the British Government. That is the
meaning of the conference Of I'm
perial Premiers in England and the
discussions now in progress, which
will have an immense effect on world
affairs and will give new direction
to the future policy of Great Britain
regarding all imperial problems.
1t Is not generally realized, even
by the English, that what used to be
colonies are now actually sister ma
tions, equal with England in national
liberty, in the councils OF the empire
and In freedom of advice. They can
Britain has adopted certain measures
which affect their safety or we'll
being, whether they like them or
whether they don't. theoretically,
at least, they must be consulted and
their consent gained
The dominions like Canada and
Australia are not Indifferent to this
new status, but are very sensitive
about it's fulfilment, and their Pre-
miers, now in England, made this
perfectly clear. They are not going
to stand by and let English states
men decide without referring to them
such matters as the Anglo-Japanese
alliance or the future policy in the
Far East or international agree
ments.
Good Reason for Warm Welcome.
There is no disposition at the pres
ent time among English statesmen,
apart from a few old deadheads, to
challenge this claim of the dominions
to equality in council and the right
Of consent. On the contrary, the
presence OF the Imperial Premiers
was welcomed warmly because every
one with any kind of brain was
aware that owing to the exhaustion
OF war and the wars effect of stir
ring up ambitions and racial dis
turbances in all parts of the world
the British Empire has been chal-
lenged by strong moving forces, by
economic and political perils which
will demand great wisdom and unity
of idea and action and imperial CO.
operation.
AS / mentioned briefly last week, It
is largely owing to the dominion
statesmen that a truce was declared
in Ireland preliminary to peace nego-
tiations. Their advice strongly sup
ported the wish OF King George,
whose personal influence in this mat
ter is not to be underestimated, de-
spite the limitations OF his constitu-
tional power. A settlement of the
Irish problem, indeed, is part of the
plan to clear the decks of all domes.
tic troubles in the empire in order
to get ahead with the construction of
peace on progressive lines.
Gen. Smuts was destined to do a
service in this chance of peace with
Ireland. He saw the effect OF the
generous policy of Cancellation upon
his own Boer folk after the South AZ.
rican war and during the European
war he saw South Africa break into
rebellion, under the influence of ma
tional extremists of no less power
than the Sim Fein
smuts Helped Queu Rebels.
He was behind Premier Louis
Botha in his treatment of these
rebels. There was no bloody assize
in South Africa, no hangings and
shootings in patches. After the lead.
ers had been sentenced to short terms
OF Imprisonment there was a general
amnesty and a wise desire in Botha's
words to wash those events from pub
lie memory.
Gen. Smuts is man who never
looks back for regret or vengeance
but always forward with free and
courageous vision. I once had the
honor Of sitting at his side in the
presence Of Premier Lloyd George and
talking with him about ideals Of peace
with that simplicity which belongs TO
men who are really great he outlined
the vision which afterward became the
ideals of the League of Nations, not
yet, alas, fulfilled.
At the peace conference he stood for
liberty and conclliation, and the world
still remembers his parting words
n nrVu.