Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-12-11
BACKS IRISH CAUSE
Premier Asquith Pledges Party
to Home Rule.
LIBERAL POLICY DEFINED
Makes Strong Argument for Re-
form of the Tariff.
BUDGET AND NATIONAL CRISIS
MI. Balfour Charges Government
With Attempt to Create One
Chamber Legislature.

/ LONDON December 11.-At monster
meeting last night in Albert Hall Her
bert Henry Asquth, the British prime
minister. laid down the policy on which
the liberal government is appealing to
the country. He declared that IL it were
returned to power the government would
demand the limitation Of the power OF
the house of lords, and then went steI
further and pledged that the liberal party
| would grant self-government to Ireland
The meeting was marked by the great
enthusiasm of an audience which filled
the vast hall and which was composed
entirely of men. women having been de-
! MED admission in the fear that there
might be counter-demonstration by suf-
| fragettes.
| Every corner of the hall had been
searched during the day for women. and
| small band of them was routed out
| but they managed to get In two male
supporters, who interrupted Mr.. Asquith
momentariIy with cries of Votes for
women!" Then they were promptly
| elected.
Balfour's Manifesto.
The prime minister was not alone in
giving to the people their first real touch
1 u tie cdupdlkI, lOi <aItuui DoiASoa
| the leader of the opposition in the house
of commons, made simultaneous plea to
| them In a quiet, dignifed election mani
festo, addressed to the electors or the
| city Of London, who have chosen him as
| their candidate.
Il tell you in the name and on behalf
| of the liberal party" Mr.. Asquith said
| in his address, we have at this mo-
ment laid upon us single task-a task
which dominates and tranScends because
| t embraces and involves every great and
benefcent. social and political change
upon which our hearts are set. That task
| is to yindicate and establish upon an un-
shakable foundation the principle of rep
| resentative government.
| Referring to the education and licensing
| bills the premier said that the govern
| ment stood. In the main, upon the prin-
cipes of the bills which the house of
lords rejected. The franchise law, he
| added, was still incumbered with art n
cial distinction and impeachment for which
| there was no justification. Upon the
topic of woman suffrage Mr.. Asquith said
| his views were well known. He had no
reason to alter them. despite the suicidal
| excuses of a small section of the advo-
Gates for such a change.
| Comments on Irish Measure.
After referring to the action of the
house of lords in regard to the matter or
| Welsh religious equality and the fate OF
certain Scottish land bills. Mr.. Asquith
turned his attention to Irelaf., which,
he said, had been fortunate for once, be-
cause the measures sent up in her behalf
! did not come violently athwart the
IRE iudices of the house of lords.
| speaking last year before my acces-
| sion to the premiership. Mr. Asquith
continued, 81 described the irish pohcy
&C the one undeniable failure of British
| craftsmanship. repeat tonight what l
| said then, and on behalf OF my col
| leagues, and, 1 believe. on behalf OF my
| marty. | reiterate that this Is a problem
| to be solved only in one way.pH pol
| icy which, while explicitly safeguarding
| the supreme, indivisible authority of the
| imnerial parliament. can set up In Ireland
| a system of full sef-government as re-
| CARDS purely Irish affairs. There is not
| and cannot be any question OF separa-
/ ton.
There is not and cannot be any ques-
| t,on of rivalry or competing for suprem-
| acv subject to these conditions. That is
the liberal policy For reasons which
we believe to have been adequate the
| present parliament was disabled in ad-
vance from proposing any such solution.
| but in the new house the liberal govern
ment at the head of a liberal majority
| will be in this matter entirely free.
Budget and Social Reform.
Mr. Asquith defended the budget as
necessary to social reform. and in this
respect old-age pensions were the first