The first sitting of the Imperial Defence Conference was held
at the Foreign Office on Wednesday. The Prime Minister and several members of the Cabinet welcomed the visitors. All the delegates were present except General Botha, who was unfortunately not well enough to attend. The meeting was private, and it was announced that the sub- sequent meetings would also be private. No doubt the chief discussions will turn on thi3 naval problem. The military problem has already become clearer owing to the readiness kith which the Colonies entertain the proposal to establish an Imperial General Staff. As for the naval forces of the Empire, it seems certain that most of the Colonies will prefer to have their own Fleets rather than pay an annual sub- scription to the Royal Navy. But Australia has at present a mixed policy, as she is raising a flotilla for local defence, and at the same time has offered a Dreadnought' to the Royal Navy. The splendid generosity of the Colonies is already proved, and it will be a great moment for the Empire when out of the intricate materials before the Conference some solutions of the problems emerge.
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