there cannot be confident hope for the nobler ideal which would command the peace of the world."

A reference must be made here to the curious agitation which developed at this stage in a section of the Liberal press of Canadaboth Laurier and Unionist in politics-for the return home of the Prime Minister. He was needed here, it was said, the Imperial War Cabinet was not and could not be responsible in its decisions, the place of the Premier was at home and not in England. The first to express this line of thought, prominently, was the Hon. Rudolphe Lemieux, M.P., the Opposition leader's chief colleague from Quebec who said in an interview at Quebec on July 13th that: "We are now living in a period of political anarchy. While great problems need to be settled at home, while during war a country needs its leaders, Canada sees its Ministers traveling from place to place instead of remaining at home to look after its destinies. The Toronto Star followed on the 26th: "The Conference should be arranged so as not to interfere with the more pressing business of Ministers in their own homes. Our Ministers should insist upon that and they should now say, in a friendly but firm manner, that Canadian business requires their presence here."

To this journal (July 27th) the Imperial War Cabinet was simply a glorified conference and of little purpose; to those in England who created it the idea was to give Dominion statesmen a voice in the control and guidance of the War as representing the external Empire in the Cabinet. Despatches followed from London and explanations from Ottawa as to the critical condition of war and peace, the presence of the Empire's ablest men in London, the desire of the Imperial Government for their help, the usefulness of Sir Robert Borden's personal sagacity and political sanity. Mr. Meighen, who arrived home at Ottawa on July 25th, stated that: "The Prime Minister is being strongly pressed to remain for some time yet. He is personally anxious to return, but the view of his associates in the War Cabinet, both from the United Kingdom and from Canada, is that he should continue his work there, at least for a short time." It was announced on Aug. 8th, in a semiofficial Ottawa despatch, that the Imperial War Cabinet was composed in 1918 of the following:

Speaking of the need for the Premier's presence in England, Mr. Rowell, on his return, told a Port Hope meeting (Aug. 15th)

that he was there because duty to Canada and the wishes of his colleagues required it; at Orono, on Aug. 24th, he explained that "owing to Canada's position as the largest and oldest Dominion, her Prime Minister stood next to the Premier of Great Britain at all Imperial gatherings while in the important and momentous meetings of the Imperial War Cabinet he spoke the sentiment of all his colleagues with moderation and a force which compelled the respect and recognition of all." Then came Sir Robert Borden's explanation of the improved status given to Canada and the Dominions through the Imperial Cabinet idea and the admission by the Toronto Star on Oct. 8th that: "As soon as we learned of this plan of logically advancing from Conferences at stated periods to a consultative Cabinet in permanent existence and directly active at all times, without intermediaries, we endorsed it with a heartiness surpassed by no journal in the country." Meanwhile, on his return to Canada Sir Robert Borden had issued a statement at Ottawa (Aug. 24th) reviewing his work in England and especially that of the Imperial War Cabinet-so far as it was permissible to do so. The following decisions were quoted:

1. The organization of the Canadian Army to be independent of the British Army, except so far as the supreme command of Sir Douglas Haig and Marshal Foch was concerned-the internal management of the Canadian Army to be entirely under Canada.

2. Canadian Air Force to be decided upon and to co-operate with the Canadian Army; Canadian girmen, who form a large part of the British Air Force, to have special recognition as Canadians.

3. A Canadian Siberian Expeditionary Force to go to Vladivostok and co-operate there with the Japanese and Americans.

4. Further war preparations to be made, of such a nature as cannot be made public, but which would ensure the certain triumph of the Allies.

5. Closer unity of action, not only between the Allies but between the various parts of the Empire.

6. Plans made for co-operation in the utilization of the resources of the Empire in carrying on the war-in minerals, food, lumber, etc.

As to his other work, he said: "I took up with many Departments of the British Government questions which could not be effectively or thoroughly dealt with by correspondence. Among those with whom important subjects were discussed I may mention the War Office, the Admiralty, the Ministry of Shipping, the Ministry of Food, the Ministry of National Service, the Ministry of the Air Force, the Ministry of Munitions and the Board of Trade. The organization of the C.E.F. both in Great Britain and in France, and more effective co-operation with the Department of Militia and Defence were also discussed at several conferences with Sir Edward Kemp. Very useful progress was made and valuable results attained. The work of the Imperial War Conference covered a great variety of subjects and in some instances definite and final conclusions were reached; in other cases Committees representing Great Britain and the self-governing Dominions and India were set up with authority to investigate and report; in other cases Resolu

*Note. See also Empire section, pages 162-5.

tions were passed containing representations to the Governments concerned.'

Following the Empire events came the questions of world policy to be settled at the Peace Conference which must soon be held. Canadian opinion was general that Sir Robert Borden should be a delegate; how, was not worked out nor was full consideration given to the British leaders who must be there or to the full difficulties of Dominion representation. There was no question, however, as to the British desire to have him in Paris or as to the need of his presence in London for preliminary preparations when victory approached and the Armistice was concluded. At the urgent request of the Imperial Premier Sir Robert again left for England in November to attend a 3rd Session of the Imperial War Cabinet and was accompanied by Sir G. E. Foster and the Hon. A. L. Sifton, with the Hon. C. J. Doherty following later; with the Ministers were various experts, officials, or representatives of special interests such as L. G. Christie of the Department of External Affairs; Lieut.-Col. O. M. Biggar, Judge-Advocate-General; F. P. Jones, Chairman of the War Trade Board; Dr. J. W. Robertson of the Canada Food Board; Lloyd Harris, Chairman of the Canada War Mission to London; P. M. Draper, Secretary of the Trades and Labour Congress.

During preceding weeks Sir Robert had been in close and constant touch with the British Prime Minister as to current negotiations and was met, personally, by Mr. Lloyd George at a London station on Nov. 18th together with a representative of the King and a guard of honour. To the press Sir Robert issued a statement concluding with these words: "The problems that lie before our country in common with other Britannic nations are quite as momentous as those which we faced during the War, and are perhaps even more difficult. Our people will face them with the same courage, resolve, and confidence as sustained them during these weary years of war." Succeeding days were spent in a whirl of interviews, conferences and meetings of all kinds with a perfect maze of problems to consider. The objects sought were (1) to formulate, in close co-operation with the Imperial Government and other Dominion leaders, a British basis for the Peace Conference; (2) to deal with the great trade issues involved in the approach of peace and the relations of the Empire with its Allies and the enemy; (3) to develop the schemes for demobilization already partially arranged. On Nov. 14th Sir Robert and his colleagues were present in the stately Royal Gallery at Westminster when the King addressed to visiting officials of his Empire and to the peoples whom they represented an inspiring Message with a reference to "those splendid troops which eagerly hastened to us from the Dominions Overseas, men who showed themselves more than ever to be bone of our bone, inheriting all the courage and tenacity that have made Britain great." At this time also Sir R. Borden sent a message to General Currie and the Canadian Corps:

Your major task is finished, completely and triumphantly. Never have men had greater reason for honest pride of achievement than the soldiers of Canada; never has a country had more just cause for pride in her sons than our Dominion. Liberty and right are once more vindicated, and in that fulfil ment, especially in the last decisive period of the struggle, Canadians have shared in the foremost posts of honour. The Canadian Army Corps has been selected to share with the other armies of the Britannic Commonwealth a further post of honour in the task of securing the fruits of victory. You will acquit yourselves on this mission, as in the past, with honour to yourselves and to your country.

The Imperial Government then dealt with the problem of Dominion representation at the Peace table. Each of the Dominions desired and demanded it; from all Empire standpoints Borden, Massey, Hughes, Botha and Lloyd deserved it; the British Government sincerely wished it. But only five Delegates were to be appointed by each of the Great Powers; if the British Empire included one from each Dominion, it would double Britain's representation or leave the United Kingdom out altogether, which was unthinkable; the easiest solution appeared to be the selection of one Dominion statesman with the other four directly representing Great Britain. Eventually British power and influence so dominated in the Peace arrangements that under a so-called compromise all the Dominions took part as separate countries while practically acting as an Empire unit. Before this was settled, however, some unpleasant things appeared in the American cables to Canada via the United States and some unnecessary protests were expressed.

Meanwhile, the Canadian Ministers, with their staffs, had been given offices at Whitehall Gardens and were busy organizing Canadian peace interests and after-war conditions-Sir George Foster and Mr. Harris dealing with trade, Mr. Sifton and Sir Edward Kemp with shipping, immigration and transport, Mr. Doherty with varied legal and constitutional issues. In this Canadian Mission R. J. Younge of Montreal represented industrial interests as well as Messrs. Harris and Jones, while Mr. Draper represented those of Labour. On Dec. 23rd the Admiralty, with approval of the Dominions, announced the approaching departure of Admiral Viscount Jellicoe of Scapa, O.M., G.C.B., G.C.V.O., on a tour of the Dominions, for the purpose of advising their Governments in Naval matters. This policy was based on a Memorandum drawn up by Sir R. Borden and subscribed to by the other Dominions, which suggested a series of Navies, built and administered by the Dominions under a system of close co-ordination with the Royal Navy: "It is thoroughly recognized that the character of construction, armament and equipment and the methods and principles of training, administration and organization, should proceed upon the same lines in all the Navies of the Empire. For this purpose the Dominions would welcome visits from a highly-qualified representative of the Admiralty who by reason of his ability and experience would be thoroughly competent to advise the Naval authorities of the Dominions in such matters."

Incidents at the close of the year included a Dinner given by the Prime Minister to the President of the United States at which Mr. Wilson sat on one side of the host and Sir R. Borden on the other; there was also, continued attendance of the Canadian Premier at the Imperial War Cabinet. On Dec. 31st, Sir Robert issued a Message to the people of Canada, describing the great issues involved in the coming Peace Conference and their relation to the present and future interests of Canada: "The approaching Peace Conference must in the first place address itself to the establishment of a new world order of peace. That proposal is confronted by difficulties and complexities which it is almost impossible to overestimate. So to control the material and territorial ambitions and jealousies of nations that their power and influence shall be held in trust for the common purpose of maintaining the world's peace, and of punishing lawlessness or aggression by any recalcitrant State, is a task of almost incredible difficulty. Attendant upon the task are a score of questions not easy of solution, and involving economic, financial and territorial considerations, each of sufficient magnitude and intricacy to engage the full attention of the approaching Council of Nations. I have been closely occupied with my colleagues in deliberation respecting the conditions of peace and in preparation for the approaching Peace Conference." It may be added that Cambridge University, on May 31, 1918, conferred its Hon. degree of LL.D., on Sir Robert Borden.

The Union

and War

During 1918 the Hon. N. W. Rowell, President of Government: the Privy Council, was conspicuous for his advocacy Work of the of Government policy and his support of the Unionist Ministers principle. As a leading Liberal he was the object of some attack; as an uncompromising Prohibitionist he Commissions met with criticism in other quarters. But his opinions were clearly and sometimes strongly expressed and this the public liked. Early in January, as Acting Prime Minister, Mr. Rowell replied to a cable from Mr. Lloyd George and declared that the Government rejoiced that Canada had been "privileged to play her part in the struggle of democracy against autocracy and in up-holding the Mother Country in this world-wide conflict"; on Feb. 23rd he addressed the Toronto Y.M.C.A. regarding Canada's War effort, and laid special stress upon the work of the Imperial Munitions Board with its 500 plants and $875,000,000 of expenditure and $10,000,000, additional, spent on Aeroplane plants.

In the Commons on March. 19th, he was bitterly attacked by Hon. Charles Murphy, a Laurier-Liberal and a Roman Catholic Irishman, who did not measure his words in defence of FrenchCanadians against some alleged criticisms by Mr. Rowell or as to other utterances in the Conscription controversies of 1917. statements were personal, political and sectarian-one much quoted reference being a declaration that Sir J. W. Flavelle and Mr. Rowell had "commercialized Christianity." He denied that Mr.