The San Francisco call., 1907-02-13
KING EDWARD AIDS
IRISH HOME RULE
Continued from Page 1, Column 6

CONTINUED Fcm rage Il, Column
rule for Ireland, was opened by King
Edward this afternoon with all the inn
posing ceremonies which have attend
ed these functions since his accession.
The speech from the throne FORE
shadowed a full and busy session de-
voted to Ireland, army reform and
temperance, apart from the overshad-
owing question OF the House of Lords
After the usual reference to the good
relationship prevailing between Great
Britain and the other powers. the
speech deplored the loss Of life and
destruction Of property resulting from
the earthquake at Kingston
Il have seen with satisfaction" said
the King, that the emergency has been
met by the Governor and his officers
with courage and devotion and by the
people with self-control. The occasion
has called forth many proofs of prac-
tical good will from all parts of my
country, and I recognize with sincere
gratitude the sympathy shown by the
people of the United States and the
assistance promptly offered by their
authorities"
A congratplatory reference to the
visit to India OF the Ameer of Afghanis-
tan was followed by the intimation that
while guarding the unity of the ex-
ecutiye power unimpaired some changes
in the governmental methods of India
were under consideration, bringing
them more in accord with the wishes Of
the natives"
Then came a guarded reference to
the question uppermost in the minds
of his Majesty's hearers. 1t was ad-
dressed to both my Lords and THE
Gentlemen of the House Of Commons
Serious questions" said the King,
affecting the working of our parlia-
mentary system have arisen from the
unfortunate differences between the
houses. My ministers have this impor-
tant subject under consideration with
the view OF a solution of the difficulty"
Upon the Irish question the King
said:
6Your attention will be called to
measures for further assOcfating the
people of Ireland with the management
of their domestic affairs and otherwise
improving their system of government
in it's administrative and financial as
poets. Proposals Will also be submitted
to you for effecting a reform of uni
versity education IN IreIand.-
Among the domestic legislation fore
shadowed was "a bill enabling women
to serve on local bodies" evidently in
tended as a sop to the woman suf-
fragists.
The points in the Kings speech
which attracted most attention were
the references to the Kingston disaster
and to the House of Lords. When his
Majesty spoke gratefully of the assist
ance rendered by the American navy
to the earthquake sufferers, he turned
in the direction of the diplomatic corps
and bowed to ambassador Reid, who
was distinguished among his uni
| formed colleagues by his evening dress
On the resumption of the sitting OF
the House of Lords, Lord Castletowr
/ Libera1) declared that what was pro-
posed for Ireland was evolution rather
than devolution. After a hundred years
Of union it was proposed to adopt ad
ministrative reforms, long overdue, anC
rescue the Irish system from chaos.
During the debate in the House o.
Commons on the speech, former Pre-.
mier Balfour, the Opposition leader, re-
! ferring to the Irish question, said thai
Mr.. Bryce Qately chief secretary fol
Ireland) had held a pistol at the heads
I of every one concerned in the matter.
Premier Campbell-Bannerma in re-
ply pointed out that they could no.
/ Immediately enter on a larger policy
! for Ireland, but that they must remov,
the most Objectionable features in suci
/ way as to be consistent with tn,
adoption of that policy The Premier
declared that the question of the House
4 Of Lords must be settled. The presen
situation was discreditable, dangerous
and demoralizing, he said. There mus
be a readjustment of the relations be-
tween the two houses SO as to enabl.
them to carry out in reasonable har-
mony the wishes of the people.