TWO BIG QUESTIONS

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 31, 31 July 1911, Page 5

TWO BIG QUESTIONS

CANADA AND THE EMPIRE. THE JAPANESE TREATY. By Cable—Press Association—Copyright. London, July 28. In the House of Commons, Mr. Pike Peace questioned Mr. Asquith whether he had noted Sir W. Laurier's declaration that Canada did not think herself bound to take part in every war, and that her fleet might not be called upon in all cases. He asked whether its converse also applied, and whether Mr. Asquith would obtain from the Canadian Government some definition of the wars in the cases referred to, and whether wars originating ■ under Article 2 of the Japanese Alliance were included. Mr. Asquith replied: Such matters arc too grave and delicate to be dealt with by question and answer; nor can I, without breach of confidence, disclose the discussions and decisions of the secret sessions of the Imperial Conference. Lord Wolmer questioned Mr. McKinnon Wood whether Article 5 of the AngloJapanese treaty permitted the Japanese Government to enquire concerning the availability of the Australian fleet in the event of war; whether such enquiry had been made; and whether, the Government intended to reply that th« action that would be taken by a dominion in the event of war was not a subject for discussion. Whether the reply would be in accordance with the full and free consultation stipulated in the article. Mr. McKinnon Wood answered: I cannot reply to a hypothetical question The terms of the treaty are public.