The appeal of the British government to the dominions for aid in defending the Dardanelles served to call attention once more to one of the most anomalous features of the constitution of the empire, namely the absence of a definite imperial policy in the matter of war and peace. On this most vital of all questions one would naturally expect to find at least some general understanding between the mother country and the dominions as to their respective rights and obligations. But such is not the case. The principles and practice of the constitution are hopelessly at variance.