IMPERIAL CONFERENCE.

Evening Star, Issue 14574, 24 May 1911, Page 6

IMPERIAL CONFERENCE.

WHAT MAY BE DONE. Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright. LONDON. May 23. ‘The Times' states that the Imperial ■ Conference of 1907 established the equal national status of the five constituent parts, and declared itself to bo a conference of Governments. With tho Governments as such it. reassembles in 1911. The question of national status being settled, the question of national responsibility take* its place. Shall these Governments have five foreign policies, or be jointly responsible for one policy? There can be no doubt about the answer they will give. Sentiment indicates it even more dearly than interest, for, come what may, the peoples of the Empire are determined to bo one. But sentiment will nob solve bow in practice a single policy is to be maintained, | and that is the pressing problem which this Conference must face. The need can only be mot by the closer touch between the five Cabinets during all the mouths of every year. The Conference may not be able to agree on an immediate step towards that end, but will have done much if it only demonstrates the urgency of taking step*. The matter of importance to the present Conference is foreign relations, and defence will lie for the first time the main subject for discussion. NATIONAL STATUS OF DOMINIONS. London, .May 25. Tho ‘Daily Chronicle’ anticipates that tho firet development at the Imperial Conference will be tho recognition of the national status of the Dominion* by separating tho rest of (he colonies. Tbo programme i:hows how largo is the sphere of co-operation in various matters. The first slop in development at tho Conference will be the development of the Secretarial. The paper aiks ; Might not tho Secretariat be Import’alissd? The ‘Daily Express’ rays that once in even- four years the Prime Ministers of the Dominions spend a mouth in England, and wo show our sense to tho privilege of getting known what they have to say by making it impossible to hear ilicir voices. Tile' * Morning Leader’ hopes that without impairing the efficiency of the Conference a salisiactoiy method will bo found of gratifying tho very natural public desire to hear what such welcome- visitors a* Sir Wilfrid Lauricr, Mr Both::, and Mr Fisher have to say.

THE SOCIAL SIDE. LONDON, May 23. The recopriu.i at the. Foreign Office was tho largest and most brilliant, held in recent years. Every member of both Houses of Parliament, c-veiy Privy Councillor, and many high officials and colonial reside.nts were invited. Lout Beauchamp acted as official host on behalf of the Government and tho Entertainment Committee. The entrance hall and the staircase were converted into a fairyland of (lowers, tho national colors predominating.

PRESS NOT WANTED. AX OFFICIAL SUMMARY SLTPLIKD, LONDON, .May 23. (Received May 24, at 10.20 a.m.) The first conference lasted two and a-half horns. Mr Asquith made a half-hour's speech, in the course of which iu; made sympathetic references to King Edward and Sir 11. C. Bannennan. The Prime Minister emphasised the non-party character of the Conference. The five Premiers replied. The Conference decided to sit on Mondaw, Tuesdays, Thursdays. ami Fridays. ■ from 11 to 1.30, and iu the afternoons, it there were urgent need. Sir ,T. C Ward withdrew his resolution in favor of the admission of the Frees. The other delegates considered that speaking nuhlidy hampered their object. .' ofKcial summary will be issued daily. Sir J. ti. Ward then moved his Imperial Council resolution, and has not yet linished his speech. OPENING OF THE CONFERENCE. PRES? NOT ADMITTED. 'LONDON, May 23. (Received May 24, at 8.10 a.m.) Mr Asquith, at the Foreign Office, heartily welcomed the Oversea Premiers, and briefly dclined the. c.cope of the- Conference.

Mr Harconrt (Colonial Secretary), Mr Buxton (President of the Board of Trade), and several' Ministers were present. -The Proas were not admitted. 'J he crowd who waited outside cheered the delegates, tide cheered the delegates.