WHY THE CONFERENCE WAS SUMMONED.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 524, 3 June 1909, Page 5

WHY THE CONFERENCE WAS SUMMONED.

'A RESULT OF CANADA'S PRE- > ■ CIPITANCY, Read in conjunction with facts recently reported by cable, Mr. Asquith's statement above, which commences with a referenco to Canada's intention to send delegates to Britain to discuss matters arising out of • a resolution carried by the Dominion Houso of Commons; on March , 29, makes it clear that tho summoning of tho conference waa * duo to tho British Government's anxiety to avoid making a special arrangement with Canada, . The Canada resolution was as follows:— "This House fully recognises the duty of tho pooplo of Canada as they increoso in numbers and wealth to assume in larger measure tho responsibilities of national do- , fence. , "Tho House is of opinion that under present constitutional relations between tho Mother Country ahd tho self-governing dominions tho payment of regular nnd periodical contributions to the Imperial Treasury for naval and military purposes would not, so far as Canada is concerned, bo tho most, satisfactory solution of tlio question of do-' fence. "Tho Houso will cordially approve any necessary oxpendituro designed to promote tho speedy organisation of a Canadian naval sorvico' in co-operation with, and in close relation to, tho Imperial Navy,-along tho linos suggoßtcd by tho Admiralty at tho last Imperial Conference, and in-full sympathy with the view that tho naval su - premacy of Great Britain is ossoiitial to tho security of-commerce, the safety of tho Em)pirc, and tho poaco of tho woiid. "Tlio Houso expresses its firm conviction that whenever nend arises tho Canadian people will bo found ready and willing to ■ make any sacrifice required to give to tho Imperial authorities 1 tlio moat loyal and hearty co-operation in every movement for tho maintenance of the integrity and tho honour of the Empire." Cable messages printed horo on May 21 last, mnlio clear what happened. On the preceding day, it was reported, Sir Wilfrid Laurier stated, that after the resolution had boon passed, lie informod tho Imperial naval, authorities that, lie thought it would not bo wise for tho Canadian Navy to bo a part of tho Imperial Navy, but that any action 1 taken should bo iiv accordance with tho Ad-/ miralty's viows. While this co'rrcspondcnco' was in progress, tho invitation to tho subsidiary contorenco in' July an Imperial do- - t'once" was received. ! i , In tho course of this correspondence, it niust havo been stated by tlio Dominion Government that two Canadian Ministers wore about to leavo for England; Tho r<> - : ccipfc of tho .invitation to, ft gonernl confcronco was obviously unexpected,' and' not 7 very welcome,, for tho Governor-General roI plied that the Canadian Ministers'had insufficient information to warrant their' advising as necessary such a formal conference in advance of tho Imperial Conforonco of 1911. Ho added that, although tlio Canadian Ministers had intended to leavo very, shortly for Britain, to diseuss tho Canadian resolution, and tho means, ;of carrying out its intentions, they-wero quite willing to dofer.'their visit until July. . ( v Tho cablo' message giving tlieso faots ■ noted that it was considered that "Canada's acceptance of tho Imperial Dofonco Confer* enco was grudging, and was almost extorted by Lord Crewe's skilful manoeuvring."