ABSTRACT
The British Government readily conceded the justice of Sir Robert Borden's claim supported as it was by all the Dominions except Newfoundland whose inadequate resources precluded any attempt to assert individuality in external relations. The British Government was most willing to assure the Dominions of all the autonomy which was possible within the free association of the Commonwealth. The issue of neutrality in a British war on the part of a Dominion remains unsolved. It has never been formally conceded by the Imperial Conference, and it is not claimed by Canada, Australia, or New Zealand. The decision to confer Dominion status on India, was finally confirmed by the events of 1919. It was open to the British Government to insist on treating India as an integral part of the Empire for foreign policy. It is easy to see that on the whole the conception of Dominion status has worked harm in Indian politics.
