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mistaken, urged by Sir Joseph Ward in 1909 as an argument against Dominion fleets at all, and in favour of financial contribution to the British Navy. He rightly pointed out the great popular pressure which would be brought to bear upon a Dominion Government to compel the retention of its ships in home waters.
4. The point, however, we have to consider now is whether we should re-discuss the question with the Dominions. In support of discussion it is urged that it is desirable for the Dominion Governments to be informed in advance of the recommendations made in C.LD. Paper 124-B. An examination of this paper leads me to the opinion that the action which it recommends to be taken by any Dominion Government before the outbreak of war is not of such vital importance as to justify the risk run by raising the whole question of Dominion status in war. I cannot see that we should lose anything material by postponing this discussion at least until definite naval arrangements have been inade with the separate Dominions. We might well find ourselves, in the course of the discussion, confronted by a positive statement by Canada that the Canadian Government would not agree to be committed by the Mother Country even to a technical state of war, and if the assertion of such an unpalatable fact is even possible, I think it would be prudent not to give occasion for it.
R. McK. February 27, 1911.
PRINTED AT THE FOREIGN OFFICE BY J. W, HARRISON.—7/3/1911.
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