THE EMPIRE.

Press, Volume LVI, Issue 16853, 5 June 1920, Page 9

THE EMPIRE.

GENERAL SMUTS'S DECLARATION. (By Cable—Press Association—Copyright.) (Router's Telegramm.) (Received June 4th. 1.15 a.m.) LONDON. June 3. General J. C. Smuts, interviewed by a "Dailv Chronicle'' correspondent-, declared that, apart from the gravo situation in Central and Eastern Europe, and tho apparent impotence of the League of Nations, British statesmen should give attention to the Constitutional position of the British Empire. Geographically, the United Kingdom was an adjunct of Europe, but politically it was the centre of a world-wide ; Empire. The United Kingdom, seenij inuly, did not give attention to the ; fundamental. Constitutional changes I brought about by the war in the British. : Common wen Ith. The eld pre-war Bri- ! tish Empire was gone, in tho sense I that it; connoted colonics or subordini ate nations clurtering round one master nation. Unfortunately, the old machinery still remained. | lie disputed Mr Bonar Law's contentinn that Dominion Homo Rule was fault amount- to separatist republics, asserting. "We are an organic _union. forming one whole, with the ICing as the connecting link. Dissolution ! would bo revolutionary. There must be complete equality and freedom en- ! ioved. but as sister States united by I tho Ivini. Only on that foundation ! will the British Commonwealth last."