RUFFLED WATERS

Evening Star, Issue 19407, 16 November 1926, Page 6

RUFFLED WATERS

THE IMPERIAL CONFERENCE DEBATE ON EMPIRE DEFENCE. Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright LONDON, November 15. (Received November 16, at 12.40 p.m.) For the first time since the opening of the Imperial Conference the placid ■water's have become slightly ruffled. To-day’s plenary session was marked by a little plain speaking. “Crisp talk” was the term applied to a candid interchange which is understood to have occurred during Mr Bruce’s speech on Imperial defence. How important the debate was considered to be was revealed not only by the conference’s decision to withhold any public ’announcement till the verbatim transcript is closely scrutinised for the selection of a general outline, but by a private admission that the communique will bo heavily censored. From what can be gathered, the incident arose over the discussion as to the extent to which the dominions should share Britain’s naval burden. One of the dominion delegates, commenting across the table, raised the whole question of the scope of the Imperial relations as the governing consideration in the responsibility to defence. It is hinted that the upshot was the clinching of the fact of the Empire’s inevitable interdependence from the standpoints of economics, trade, and defence, and that the almost unanimous recognition of that fact diverted the discussion into an examination of the declaration of a policy which will not carry the appearance of a written constitution.

One well-informed channel went so far as to say: “I think we have got it all right.” From tho same quarter it w r as hinted that something was likely to be decided tomorrow setting out the Empire’s policy on foreign treaties. It will bo rather innocuous in character, but it will appease those who are timid about involvement in Continental complications.

Jt is most probable that all the major subjects will reach a definite stage on Friday, and the week-end will lie devoted to drafting decisions or statements. Tho Conference may conclude on November 23.

The unexpected duration of tho Conference has caused tho recasting and curtailment of Mr Bruce’s movements.