A.—4a

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mitted to the Conference in the following paper for the establishment of ari Imperial military organization with that object in view. 3. The paper is divided into three parts — Part I ."contains general remarks on the military defence of the Empire. Part 11. suggests certain general principles on which the forces of the Oversea Dominions might be organized, trained, and administered, so as to be capable of forming a more effective part of an Imperial Army. Definite proposals are put forward for the consideration of the Governments of the Dominions as a first step in this direction. Part 111. deals with the development of the Imperial General Staff. 4. This paper is based on the clear understanding that, while the Mother Country confidently hopes to obtain the support and assistance of the Over-sea Dominions in the event of a war in defence of the Empire, she does not ask for any specific undertaking from any one of the Dominions in regard to the strength and composition of the military force which that Dominion may decide to place at the disposal of the Empire in time of need. W. G. NICHOLSON, General, Chief of the General Staff. 17th July, 1909.

PART 1. General Remarks on the Military Defence of the Empire. 1. At the Imperial Conference of 1907 the General Staff submitted a paper dealing with the " Strategical conditions of the Empire from a military point of view." In it they endeavoured to enunciate the principles upon which the military organization of the Empire should be based, and emphasized the importance of adopting some common ideal for which all could work. It was pointed out that this ideal involved acceptance of the following principles : — Ist. —That without superiority at sea our Empire cannot be maintained. 2nd.—That it is the duty of each self-governing portion of the Empire to provide, as far as possible, for its own territorial security. 3rd.—That schemes of mutual assistance in time of need should be prepared upon a definite system. It appears to be generally recognised that these three* principles of sea command, self-defence, and mutual support must be the basis of any sound system of Imperial Defence, 2. The Mother Country has recognised these needs— (a.) By the maintenance of a Navy which is designed to keep command of the sea. (b.) By the provision of Territorial Forces for home defence. (c.) By the creation of an Expeditionary Force ready to proceed to any threatened part of the Empire. The Dominions have shown their appreciation of two of the foregoing principles by their recently expressed desire to share in the burden imposed by naval armaments, and by their endeavour to organize efficient local forces. 3. The assembly of this Conference is a signal proof, if proof were needed, that the citizens of Greater Britain are now alive to the vital necessity of sea power, and that they realise that without it co-operation in war would be impossible, and the dissolution of our scattered Empire inevitable. The risk of such a disaster must be avoided at all costs. It seems almost certain that, if the United Kingdom, with the aid of her daughter nations, can successfully maintain her maritime position, if the Empire continues to increase

Strategical conditions of the Empire.

Measures taken by the Mother Country.

Necessity of seasupremacy,