IMPERIAL DEFENCE CONFERENCE.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2057, 21 May 1909, Page 5

IMPERIAL DEFENCE CONFERENCE.

CANADA’S ACCEPTANCE

G R LTD GINQ

OBTAINTED BY CLEVER DIPLOMACY.

United Press Association —copyright, (Received May 20, 10.23 p.m.)

OTTAWA, May 20

Correspondence between the Earl of Crewe (.Secretary of State for the Colonies) and Ear; Grey (Governor-Gen-eral of Canada) published at Ottawa shows that Canada's acceptance of the Imperial Defence Conference was grudging. and almost extorted lay Lord

Crewe’s skilful manoeuvring. Lord Crewe, transmitted an invitation by tlie British Premier, as president of the Conference, to the Canadian Premier.

Earl Grey replied that the Canadian Ministers were without sufficient information to warrant their advising, as was necessary, such a formal Conference in advance of the Conference of 1911, and that two Canadian Ministers would leave shortly to discuss with tho Admiralty the best methods of carrying out the resolutions of Parliament, but were quite wilding to defer their visit until July, if the Imperial authorities preferred. Lord Crewe replied expressing the Imperial Government’s gratification at the readiness of the Dominion to participate in the Conference.

OTTAWA, May 20 (Received May 21, 12.3 a.m.)

Replying to questions in relation to the Imperial Defence Conference, the Premier (Sir Wilfrid Laurier), in the Dominion House of Commons, said ’that he was aware that the resolution concerning the nucleus, of a Canadian navy as a contribution to the defence. of the Empire, had not given satislao.tion to certain sections of Canadian opinion. The more advanced section favored a money contribution to the United Kingdom to strengthen the navy. ■ With that he did not agree. He realised that Canada should act fairly and squarely and, as far as possible, "provide for her own defence. After the 'resolution had been passed he informed the Imperial naval authorities that ho 'thought it would not be wise for the ’Canadian navy to be part of the Im’perial navy, hut that any action taken 'should be in accordance with the Admiralty’s views. While the correspondence was in progress the invitation to the subsidiary conference in 'July was received. iSir Wilfrid Laurier admitted, in ’.reply to a question, that he acquiesced in the last despatch.