THE DOMINION AND DEFENCE.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 592, 21 August 1909, Page 4

THE DOMINION AND DEFENCE.

It is very unfortunate that tho official announcement of the decisions arrived at by tho Defence- Conference cannot be mado until all the delegates aro back in their own homes. Between now and tho arrival of Silt J. G. Ward there arc six weeks, which could be made profitable by the provision of something definite for public discussion. A statement has boon toade, which is said p> be "apparently inspired," that Sir Joseph Ward has entored into an arrangement with the Admiralty under which cruisers will be substituted for thft Dreadnought that was offered. Nothing is mofe likely than that Sin Joseph has made some provisional arrangement of this kind. Ho is reported to have spoken only the other day, to be sure, of his determination to stick to his original' plan* But the rolo of Ailiandsitis contra wunfium which ho was then adopting is not orio which suits him, and of course we do not blame him for recognising that in insisting on "a Dreadnought or nothing" ho was running against public opinion in this country as well as against common sense and tho experts. What wo do blame him for is his apparent insistence on his offer in tho face of a practically universal export ■opinion against it. At the same time we do not think that, it should be.pressed against him as a fault, as'appears to bo done by Mtt. FtsHßn, M.P., that he has adopted a lino cfintrar? to that which ho followed at the 190"? Conference. We have said before, and W ; o Bay still, that whon all the circumstances aro considered Sin Joseph must' bo held, to havo taken up a correct attitude at that gathering. But. there waa no' excuse for his contemptuous dismissal of,the principle of local naval activity in June last, or for insistence a few days ago on a Dreadnought or nothing. It Would be amuSing) wore it not a matter of such importance, that his colldagues are totally in tho dark, not only as to what tho Admiralty would suggest, but even as to what thoir chief would propose. Tho interviews with 'members of Parliament which we print to;day indicate, however,, that during the coming*session be a sinctre attempt to forte the' mi'nt into doing its long-neglecled 1 duty in the matter of naval and military 'dcfimco. ■> '-