General Hertzog admits that from his point of view the
question is academic. It hears no relation to facts or probabilities. Ever since 1926 thOUghts of secession have had no place in his mind. On the (Aker hand, he will not be able to appease his critics unless he is able to assure them on the authority of the Conference that the freedom of a Dominion does include the right of secession. It seems to us in these circumstances that what some people will call the rash policy will be. really the policy of greatest safety. The Conference, we think, ought to state plainly that freedom undoubtedly connotes the right of withdrawal from the Empire. Everybody knows that if Canada, Australia, New Zealand or South Africa by popular vote decided for withdrawal not a hand would be raised, not a shot would he fired, to prevent it. Mr. Bonar Law, a Conservative Prime Minister, admitted that years ago. What sound objection can there be, then, to stating the harmless truth in a formula ? We cannot help expecting that in this matter General Hertzog will be as surprised and gratified by the understanding and tolerance of the Conference as he was in 1926.
