politics; a steady and systematic adherence to the same views; a nice and uniform sensibility to national character; decision, secrecy,[1] and despatch are incompatible with the genius of a body so variable and so numerous, The very complication of the business, by introducing a necessity of the concurrence of so many different bodies, would of itself afford a solid objection.'[2]]
7
The Dominions and the Control of Foreign Policy before the Paris War Conference.
(1) The following Resolution was adopted by the Imperial War Conference on April 16, 1917:
'The Imperial War Conference are of opinion that the readjustment of the constitutional relations of the component parts of the Empire is too important and too intricate a subject to be dealt with during the War, and that it should form the subject of a special Imperial Conference to be summoned as soon as possible after the cessation of hostilities.
'They deem it their duty, however, to place on record their view that any such readjustment, while thoroughly preserving all existing powers of self-government, and complete control of domestic affairs, should be based upon a full recognition of the Dominions as autonomous nations of an Imperial Commonwealth, and of India as an important portion of the same, should recognise the right of the Dominions and India to an adequate voice in foreign policy and in foreign relations, and should provide effective arrangements for continuous consultation in all important matters of common Imperial concern, and for such necessary concerted action, founded on consultation, as the several Governments may determine.'[3]
(2) ‘'For some time it had become increasingly apparent that some method had to be found of informing the Overseas Governments of the political and military situation and of enabling nations which were making such sacrifices for the
