WHAT ABOUT THE DOMINIONS?
and transitional. If the British Empire is to sur-
vive, it must be better compacted. The relations
between the mother country and the Dominions
must assume more definite forms, embodying
more explicit understandings: otherwise the
British Empire will fall to pieces, because its
members have gradually drifted apart. The politi-
cal alternatives seem to be either disruption, or
a constitution which provides more definitely for
common action, and gives adequate expression
to the unity of sentiment which still pervades
the whole.
But what form shall this empire constitution
take? The answer is extremely difficult. At one
time the obvious answer would have been imperial
federation, and this was once a possibility and
undoubtedly the right solution. It was advocated
by the prescience of Adam Smith long ago,
before America had broken away.1 But it has
been allowed to become more and more difficult,
and is probably impossible by now. The Domin-
ions do not want it, and would not stand it.
They would break away too, and we neither
1 WeaLtk of Nations, Bk. IV, Ch. 7-
41