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in order to allow the Dominions to have their say which they all did, reiterating the common theme that this was a war to defeat aggression. Menzies described the offer as being little more than 'a blustering attempt to justify the war'; the Canadian government offered no official response but the press was unanimous in its condemnation of a 'blood-stained peace', while much the same was written in the South African press, even amongst the nationalist Afrikaans newspapers.25 The high commissioners, however, seemed keen on pursuing the option and pressed Eden for his support. Chamberlain was very upset at their attitude and the Dominions secretary found himself in a difficult position, trying to ensure his charges did not feel they were being ignored while trying to make them see sense.26

While this created some short-term discomfort, the debate within Whitehall about how much information should be given to the alliance partners presented a more enduring problem. It might seem incredible, but this in fact proved a highly controversial and emotive question and would remain so for the entirety of the war. Its origins, however, lay firmly during the inter-war years with the Dominions' confirmation as self-autonomous actors within the international system. At the 1926 Imperial Conference it had been agreed that they would subsequently have individual responsibility for foreign policy but, lacking money, experience and manpower, there continued to be a dependence upon London for information about events as they happened.27 For some within Whitehall, notably Malcolm MacDonald, this was a more than satisfactory position; Dominion leaders could be 'kept fully informed about developments' and their responses helped influence British policy.28 The reality was something quite different, as had been demonstrated during the various guarantees and crises of recent months.29 On several occasions even Inskip had been angered about how much was being withheld from the DO for onward distribution, so much so that one of his last acts prior to his replacement was to contact the FO and remind it that telegrams should be made available at the earliest possible opportunity.30 His successor was in complete agreement. Although meetings between the high commissioners and the Dominions secretary had taken place before the war, most notably during the Munich crisis, Eden took responsibility for turning them into a daily and much more organized event. One of the DO officials who sat in on them believed that this succeeded in creating 'a remarkable atmosphere of reciprocal frankness and common purpose'.31 Daily Cabinet discussions and the decisions that had been reached formed the basis of these meetings. So successful were they that the Dominions' representatives quickly turned them into an opportunity to raise matters that concerned them or their governments, and Eden relayed these to the War Cabinet.32

Another early change, again taken within days of war being declared, was the creation of a new series of telegrams. The 'Circular DW', issued by the DO, would ultimately remain a staple source of information for the Dominions throughout the duration of the war. A daily summary of the progress of the military situation, 'of the highest secrecy', collated from various Whitehall departments it was intended to be viewed by the Dominion representatives prior to being sent on to their respective governments.33 Another step was the establishment of the grandly titled 'Committee for Dominion Collaboration'.34 Its initial report concluded that improvements would be needed to strengthen how the alliance functioned. It was proposed that, in addition to the new meetings and telegrams, the high commissioners and the War Cabinet should consult directly when needed, probably once each fortnight and a meeting of Dominion ministers was also suggested.35 It was also proposed that eventually Dominion missions should be created within the United Kingdom, similar to the Anglo-French committees which had already been established.

While the War Cabinet appeared to express