Though the proposal itself was compatible with British stance of equality for all subjects as a principle for maintaining imperial unity, there were significant deviations in the stated interests of its Dominions, notably Australia.

Nicholas had begun to grasp, however, that even the most determined central intervention in Caucasian affairs was unlikely to further the cause of imperial unity.

Byzantine rule in Africa did prolong the Roman ideal of imperial unity there for another century and a half however, and prevented the ascendancy of the Berber nomads in the coastal region.

Now, a half-century later, that imperial unity is dissolved, defeated not by any invader but by the failure of its overextended tyranny.

Experience in South Africa had shown him that underlying the difficulties of the situation there was the wider problem of imperial unity.

After 1908, he concentrated on advocating the cause of imperial unity and lectured only part-time.

Let all the tribes know that imperial unity is a joke, that no man is safer thari the Parisi queen allows?

Psychologically these events marked the end of the British Empire, and with it the central thread of popular imperial unity which had bolstered the Scottish Unionist Party until then.

Originally instituted to emphasise imperial unity, as time went on, the conferences became a key forum for dominion governments to assert the desire for removing the remaining vestiges of their colonial status.

In the first days of the war, Canada renewed its suggestion that the two countries exchange high commissioners and Australia readily approved of a step that now appeared to affirm imperial unity.