Evening star., 1926-11-28
MORE DOMINION
ENJOYS UNLIKELY
Canada and ireland Expect
ed to Remain Only Ones With
Legations in America.

Canada and Ireland are likely, to
remain for many years the only units
Of the British Empire having d plo-
matte representatives in Washington
acting independently of the British
embassy. although Australia, New
Zealand and South Africa can send
ministers here If they so desire.
This was the opinion expressed yes
terday at the Irish legation and by
the Canadian representative at the
British embassy following the denial
by Premier Bruce of Australia that
Sir Hugh Denison, Australian high
commissioner in n w York, was to be
elevated to minister and move his
quarters to Washing on.
Canada. however. will establish her
legation in a building apart from the
embassy. which has not yet been
selected, as soon as Vincent Massey,
recently appointed Minister, comes to
washington. Massey now is in Lon.
don and is not expected % come to
his post here before the first of the
year.
New Brass Plate Arrives.
The Irish Free State has maintained
q separate legation for two years, first
In the Investment Building, and now
at 1900 Connecticut avenue. The big
brass plate for this legation Just ar.
rived from Ireland last week and was
put in place yesterday.
The other dominions are unlikely
to send ministers here, 1t was explain
ed yesterday, because they have no
actual need for them and such a
move could only be interpreted as a
gesture of national consciousness.
But for such purpose, it was pointed
out. the establishment of a legation
pXfrnn1nlXy
ly to be undertaken
Both Ireland and Canada, it was
explained, have specific reasons for
maintaining Independent legations
here.
The former state has a very large
racial representation here. Purely
diplomatic questions relating to immi-
grafton, dual citizenship and allied
subjects arise continually, so that
they Keep the legation staff busy. If
the Irish Legation was not here an
equally large staff would have to be
kept at the British Embassy to at
TEND to the work. This work seldom
overlaps with that of the embassy,
although naturally both often deal
with similar questions and the most
friendly relations are maintained.
Canada long has kept a represent.
ative at the embassy. There are a
multitude of purely diplomatic de-
tails arising between the United
States and the Dominion because of
their proximity, which can best be
attended to by an accredited minis
ter from Ottawa stationed in Wash
ington.
But, 1t was pointed out, the only
considerable interests of Australia.
South Africa and New Zealand in the
;o1
than diplomatic, and can best be at
tended to by commercial represent
atives. Between the United States
and any one of these dominions an
actual diplomatic question does not
arise once in six months. There is
no contiguity, as in the case of Can
ada, and no exte nsive exchange of
population, as in the case of Ireland.
immigration is practically non-ex-
istent.
Under these conditions, it was
pointed out. the embassy staff easily
can attend to the rare diplomatic is
sues that arise and independent min
tsters would be superf1uous. Between
the United States and New Zealand
intercourse is so slight that not even
q trade commissioner is maintained.
D0minions Practically Independent.
ne ClcdT TcCOS lllLlOII dI tU6 IcCSul
imperial conference of the practical
independence of the dominions Of the
British Empire. 1t was explained,
must not he taken to indicate that
they will set the machinery of sep
arate states They will make full
use of the tried and trusted machinery
Of the empire, but have the power to
supplement this where their own In
terests are particularly involved:
Thus Ireland makes no pretenSe or
sending independent ministers TO
most of the European capitals with
which she has no intimate relations,
being satisfied to have the infrequent
diplomatic occasions involving her at.
tended to by the staff of the lmperlal
embassy. But in the United states
her interests are far from Identical.
The same obtains for the Vatican,
where she is considering sending
representative.
Canada probably will not extend
her powers as an independent unit
any further, automatically, than the
United States, since with other ma
ttons she has not the diplomatic bust
ness to warrant such a step. Any
such expensive gesture as the setting
up OF a complete diplomatic machine,
merely to satisfy national pride,
doubtless would be deeply resented by
the voters of any of the imperial do
minions, who appreciate that one of
the great advantages to membership
in the British union of free states
lies in the possibility of cooperation.
The establishment of an Australian
legation, 1t is believed at the embassy.
may come eventually. but not until
relations between the two countries
are much more intimate than at pres
ent. The high commissioner in New
York now works in the closest CO.
operation with the embassy when any
diplomatic questions arise in the
course of his work.