FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 19A15. THE DOMINIONS AND THE TERMS OF PEACE

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2395, 26 February 1915, Page 4

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 19A15. THE DOMINIONS AND THE TERMS OF PEACE

The Overseas Dominions were not officially consulted by the British Government before the momentous "step of declaring war against Germany was taken. The crisis developed so rapidly after the assassination of the heir to the Austrian throne that anything in the nature of formal consultation between the Imperial authorities and the Goyernments_ of the Dominions was quite' out of ' the question. Prompt and decisive action was necessary, and on August 4 the British Empire went to war. Nothing is more sure than that the entry of Britain into the fighting arena met with the enthusiastic support of every British community in the world. It is absolutely certain that, if it had been possible to consult the Overseas Dominions, every one of them would have said that the Empire would have been, dishonoured if in the circumstances it had refrained from drawing the sword. They did not. desire war, but they were still less desirous of peace with ignominy. The Empire was so unanimous that no one troubled about'formal consultations, and the moment _ the conflict commenced the Imperial Government received assurances which made it clear beyond all doubt that it had the fullest support, of the whole British world. That support will continue till victory is assured. But when the time comes for considering the terms of peace; the Overseas Dominions will undoubtedly expect to be given an opportunity of expressing their wishes. The view expressed in the March number of the Round Table that the Overseas Dominions must be consulted regarding the peace settlement will meet with general endorsement in New Zealand. The self-governing Dominions are making great sacrifices, and they are well aware of the tremendous importance "of the questions which will have to be considered by the representatives of the Powers in framing the terms of peace. It would not be sufficient to ask the Dominions merely to endorse a settlement already arrived at or to express approval of a course of action to which the British Government had so far committed itself that withdrawal would be practically impos-" sible. In the article in the Round Table, an advance copy of which has been placed at our disposal, it is pointed out that the Dominions will be as closely interested in the terms of peace as Britain herself, "and those terms, if they are to carry with them the full weight of British power in ensuing years, must have the widest possible approval from the Empire's'several democracies." The character of. the settlement is bound to have a tremendous effect upon the future of the whole Empire, and whole Empire should have a voice in regard to the problems which will come up for solution.

; In the course of time machinery may be devised for giving' tho Overseas Dominions as direct a voice in matters of foreign policy- as tho British Government} but the present is not a convenient occasion for discussing the Constitutional reconstruction of tho Empire. "Consultation is, for the moment," says tho Bound Table, "the only course practicable, and it is not the less imperative because it is by its very nature an imperfect and provisional expedient." The Imperial Conference of 1911 carried a resolution affirming that tho Dominions should be afforded an opportunity of consultation, ns far as possible, when, instructions are being prepared for the negotiation of international agreements which affect them. The agreements connected with the peace settlement must very vitally affect the Dominions. Australia and New Zealand are deeply interested in tho fate of Germany's possessions in the Pacific, and they ought to have ample opportunity of stating their views on 'this,point before Britain begins her negotiations with the other Powers. In addition to special .interest* of this kind, tho British

Government should take the Dominions into its full confidence regarding the broader issues involved. The Dominions should be informed in advance of the intentions of the' Imperial authorities, and should bo invited to state their opinions and desires in the freest and frankest manner. As the Empire is at present constituted, the final decision must rest with the British Government. This throws a great responsibility on Mk. Asquith and his Ministerial colleagues, and in order to carry out their task with knowledge and confidence, they must first ascertain exactly .what the Dominions want. This means that a conference of some kind must be called. The next Imperial Conference would, in ordinary circumstances, have been held in May or Judc next, but Mr. Harcourt has decided that it would ' npt be advisable to convene it at such an early date. The reasons for postponement arc undoubtedly very strong. The progress of events during the next few months may place Mr. Harcourt in a better position to say when the Conference should meet. The precise date need not trouble us at present. The allimportant point is that the consultation shall be real and effective, and it' cannot be either iin'3S3 it takes place before the time for actual negotiation arrives. When the Imperial Conference of 1911 was asked to discuss the Declaration of London, Mr. Batchemr, who was then Australian Minister of .External Affairs, stated that it was too late to alter the course of negotiations in any way. It was, in fact, too late to do anything. In referring to the same matter Mr. Fisher remarked that the representatives of the Dominions should be consulted, not only after things are done, but before the Imperial authorities begin to carry them out and commit the Dominions to them. In these words Mr. Fisher and Me. BatCHELOR insisted upon a sound principle, and it is of the. greatest importance that tho consultation regarding the pea«! settlement- shall take place before, and not after, thething is done. It may appear premature to raise the question at the. present stage of affairs, but it is desirable that no room tor misunderstanding should be permitted' to exist. '' ''