Against the idea of general representation in a central Parliament at London, Sir Wilfrid pointed out that Edmund Burke objected “opposuit natura”—­nature forbade it.  The wisest of political philosophers could not foresee the telegraph, wireless, steam, airships.  These have made a useful central imperial Parliament at least conceivable.  Could it be more useful than the advisory council, or Imperial Conference which has become quadrennial, and might possibly become annual?  That is matter for discussion.  Sir Wilfrid said that such is the political genius of the British race that he would be rash who alleged any design impracticable toward which the race may tend so generally as to put it under discussion for arrangement of details.  Conservation of local self-government, prime essential to agreement for union on common purposes, might prove reconcilable with federated defense.

But there is, to Sir Wilfrid’s way of thinking, one large objection against now attempting imperial federation.  Its agitators contemplate a scheme immense, yet not sufficiently inclusive.  They do not contemplate English-speaking solidarity.  They purpose leaving out the majority of English-speakers—­the American people.  In this they do not follow Cecil Rhodes, a chief propagandist of their main design.  It is true that the idea of getting Americans to participate in any formal union with all the rest of their brethren by race and tongue seems now impractical.  But time works wonders.  Mr. Gladstone foresaw the United States a people of six hundred comfortable millions, living in union before the end of the next century.  The hegemony of the English-speaking nations seems likely to be within attainment by that one of them which appears destined to become far the most powerful of all in numbers, in wealth, and in security of environment.  Time may show to our successors in this world some effective method of establishing agreements amounting to that solidarity for English-speaking action which has been acclaimed as existent for English-speaking thinking by a mind so eminently reasonable as that of Lord Haldane.

It would be hasty, thinks Sir Wilfrid, and it might be injurious for the British countries to move toward any sort of formal union ostensibly tending to set them collectively apart from the United States.  Give great beneficent ideas time to develop.  Britons can well afford to take their time, since the war has shown existent among them an almost perfect union of sentiment and purpose.  And this, apparently, with the blessed effect of enhancing general American good-will to Britons.  From so much good understanding more may ensue, Sir Wilfrid concluded.