Evening star., 1937-06-15
EMPIRE PLEDGES
BRITISH LOYALTY
England Not Certain of Help,
However, if Pacts Put
Her in War.
BY the Associated Press.

BY the Associated Press.
LONDON, June l5.-Empire states
men testified to the solidarity Of the
British commonwealth today ut the
final plenary session OF the imperial
conference.
They declared there was no diverg-
ence between London and the
dominions on any fundamental prin-
ciples either in foreign policy or for
defense.
Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain
emphasized the empires desire for
world peace, but said unilateral dis
armament now would Invite dis
aster."
AS the final session convened at st.
James Palace, informed political
sources said Great Britain could count
on dominion support against an in
vasion, but could not be so sure Of
aid if her continental commitments
embroiled her in another European
war.
Summary of Deliberations.
The official summary of the con-
ference deliberations stressed the need
for cooperation within the empire in
defense. but added:
AT the same time the conference
recognizes that it is the sole respon-
sibility of the several parliaments Of
the British commonwealth to decide
the nature and scope Of their own
defense policies"
The forebodings of those who felt
that constitutional developments Of
the past few years might lead to de-
struction of the empire were without
foundation" Prime Minister Joseph A.
Lyons of Australia declared.
I'VE have again demonstrated the
common-sense genius for self-govern-
ment Of the British peoples"
Loyal Address to King.
Chamberlain moved and Mackenzie
King, Canadian prime minister, sec
onded loyal address to King
George VI
War between any of us is unthink-
able Chamberlain told the Dominion
ministers. If We had only the ma
tions of the British commonwealth to
consider there would be no need for
armaments for any of us. But in the
present condition Of the world, to un-
dertake unilateral disarmament would
be to invite disaster.
mo one doubts the sincerity of anv
OF us when We declare that never will
our forces be used for aggression or
for any purpose which is inconsistent
with the covenant OF the League OF
Nations"
Dealing with an Australian sugges-
ton for regional understanding in
the Pacific, an official summary said:
THE conference agreed that II such
an arrangement could be made it would
be a desirable contribution to the
cause OF peace and the continued
maintenance of friendly relations III
the Pacific, and that it should be the
subject OF further consultation be-
tween the governments.
Submitted by Lyons.
The proposed plan was submitted by
Lyons early in the conference. It sup-
gested aggression pact in the
Pacific among Great Britain, the
United States, Japan and Australia.
Informed political circles said the
domlnlons have stipulated they will
consult among themselves before de-
Gliding what aid to give the mother
country If she should go to war to
uphold any agreement with 4 conti-
nenetal nation.
The dominions have that right un-
der the 1881 statute Of Westminster.
which recognized each dominion as
master OF its own destiny" and de-
clared that the British Parliament
could not act for dominion unless the
dominion requested it,