But the Canadian Cabinet again demurred. Many members were opposed to any continuation of the venture; and in any case it was not practicable to send only volunteers, as this would involve breaking, up units ready to sail."‘ Yet Borden had given the British Government a definite undertaking, and he declared that Canada's "position and prestige would be singularly impaired by deliberate withdrawal from definite arrangement under these conditions". Nevertheless, he left the decision to the Privy Council,"' which considered it on the 27th. On that day Borden advised the Acting Prime Minister that he had discussed the whole question at the War Office. The British attitude was reasonable. If the force must be withdrawn, it was hoped that General Elmsley, his staff, and fifty or a hundred instructors, would be permitted to remain. The question was now up to Council to decide, which it did in favour of proceeding with the expedition as originally planned, save that personnel would be permitted to return to Canada within one year ofthe signing of the Armistice. The matter, White advised Borden, was now closed."'

It was not long before the Cabinet had serious second thoughts about this decision. It was concerned that a possible clash of interests between the Americans and Japanese might lead to trouble. In such a case Canadian sentiment would almost certainly align itself with the United States, while Britain, bound by Anglo—Japanese Alliance would be in the opposite camp and might request Canadian neutrality. The War Office was therefore notified that the Dominion Government would not permit its troops "to

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