A.—4a

33

(ii.) Sub-Conference on Military Defence.

Chairman. General Sir W. G. Nicholson, G.C.8., Chief of the General Staff. Members. Lord Lucas, Parliamentary Under- Canada: Secretary of State for War. Major-General Sir P. H. N. Lake, Colonel J. E. B. Seely, D.5.0., M.P., K.C.M.G., C.B. Parliamentary Under-Secretary of Rear-Admiral C. E. Kingsmill. State for the Colonies. Major - General Sir Douglas Haig, Australia: X.C.V.0., C.8., Director of Staff Colonel W T Bridges, C.M.G j) uties Captain W. R. Creswell, C.M.G. Major-General J. S. Ewart, C.8., N ew Zealand: Director of Military Operations. Colonel R. H. Davies, C.B. Brigadier-General A. J. Murray, C.V.0., C.8., D.5.0., Director of South Africa: Military Training. Brigadier-General G. G. Aston, Brigadier - General G. F. Ellison, C.B. C.8., Director of Organization. Colonel P. S. Beves.

The representatives of the self-governing Dominions at the Imperial Defence Conference having signified their general concurrence in the proposition — " That each part of the Empire is willing to make its preparations on such lines as. will enable it, should it so desire, to take its share in the general defence of the Empire,"—the Sub-Conference on Military Defence, appointed to consider in detail the " Proposals for so Organizing the Military Forces of the Empire as to insure their Effective Co-operation in the event of War " prepared and submitted by the Chief of the General Staff, the following recommendations :— 1. That the War Establishments of the Home Regular Army should bp accepted as the basis on which the organization of units of the Dominion Forces should, as far as possible, be modelled. It is highly desirable that the Ist Line Transport of units should follow, as closely as possible, the Imperial pattern. The 2nd Line Transport, for Home defence purposes, may well be of the pattern most suitable to local conditions. But, in any case where Dominion forces share in an expedition overseas, provision should be made on mobilization to modify the local pattern transport, when necessary, to meet the special conditions of the case. 2. That, in the event of a Dominion despatching a force for Imperial expeditionary purposes, it should be accompanied by a due proportion of administrative units, both with, and in rear of, the fighting troops. 3. That the Dominions should, as far as practicable, adopt the Field Service Regulations and Training Manuals issued to the Home Regular Army as the basis of the organization, administration, and training of their troops. In this connection it was agreed that in subsequent editions, or in revisions, the Dominions would be consulted in regard to any alterations or amendments which ffiey might wish to propose. 4. That the Dominions should adopt, as far as possible, Imperial patterns of arms, equipment, and stores. 5. That the officers performing General Staff duties throughout the Empire, whatever the force to which they belong, and while remaining responsible to, and under the control of, their own Governments, should be members of one body, the Imperial General Staff. In Dominions where there are not enough qualified officers to fill General Staff appointments, the local Headquarters should be first completed, and the