The San Francisco call., 1910-06-05
BRITISH RULER
WANTS To end
War On LORDS
King George Calls Conference of
Leaders of Ali Political
Parties on Veto
Liberals and Irish Desire TO Com
tinue Contest, but Tories
Seek a Compromise
By T. P. o'coNNoR
ISpscial Gable 10 The Call


Copyright. 1910, BY Tribune Company. Chicago
LONDON. June 4.-King George has
taken q hand in the political struggle
which has stirred Great Britain for
months. lie has called a conference of
the leaders OF all political parties in
an effort 10 get compromise in the
fight over the curbing Of the veto
power Of the house Of lords.
Because Of the present temper of the
. English mind. due to grief over the
death of King Edward and the desire
10 give King George the best chance
for showing his power. neither liberals
nor tories VIII dare refuse to attend the
conference.
BaIfour pledged himself some time
ago TO give the present king every help
he could in his difficult position. This
pledges Balfour to the conference and
BalfOurs acceptance compels As
Qufth's.
COMPROMISE DIFFICULT
Whether the conference will end in
any compromise il is impossible to
foretel The difficulties now appear
10 be insurmounta bic. but the over
whelming desire of the masses for
peace. and the tory dread of lighting
on such an unpopular issue as the
house Of lords. the liberal dread Of af-
fronting the popular sentiment and the
Englishmans racial love of COM
promise may perform miracles.
OF course the liberals are not likely
TO accept anything unless with the cor
dial assent Of the Irish party. Last
weeks violent exchange Of shots be-
tween the two party organs showed
how far the parties were from a COM
promise, and this week the repetition
in the extreme tory organs Of all the
absurd rumOrs and charges that the
late kings death was accelerated by
the liberal attack on the house of
lords has further incensed the liberal
opinion.
LEADERS WANT TO FIGHT
All the lighting men of the liberal
cabinet also are in favor Of going
straight through with the night Simi-
lar views are held by Redmond and
the other Irish leaders, who. coming
to London for the Roosevelt lunch, had
an opportunity Of making their views
known to the government.
On the other hand. rumors are to be
heard in many quarters Of a tendency
TO compromise, especially on the Irish
question.
How far these rumors are well
founded I am unable to say, but they
are not as Impossible as 1 would have
been inclined TO think some weeks ago.
KING IMPRESSED BY IRISH
The king and the English masses
have been deeply impressed by the
generous attitude OF Ireland toward
the late king; and it is possible that
the desire for the ending of the long,
weary and Devastating quarrel between
England and Ireland may have gained
the upper hand for the time being.
I believe that the new king would
be glad II he could open an Irish par
lament instead OF the Transvaa1 par
lament which he was to have opened
and that the knowledge of this dispo-
sition may have Influenced the more
able members Of the tory party.
The government is now resolved to
introduce and press the coronation bill
emitting the words insulting to the
Catholics.
The tory leaders will not oppose this,
knowing the strong views Of King
George against the present form Of
declaration. but vehement opposition is
certain from the Orange party in Eng
land and Ireland.
COMMENT ON ROOSEVELT
The chief comment in the English
papers on Colonel Roosevelt's lunch
with the Irish party is half numerous
and half plaintive. They contrast
ROosevelts thoroughly amiable tone
and the entire amity Of the gathering
with the outspoken criticism OF the
English policy. The proceedings from
beginning TO end were a rollicking sue
cess.
Colonel Roosevelt remembered the
face. name and career Of every member
he had previously met and managed to
exchange some words with everyone
present.
Redmond's little address of welcome
was a model Of grace and taste. though
the promise to regard the proceeding gs
as private was strictly observed by the
Irishmen.
Roosevelts dinner with the Irish mar
y in the midst OF his tremendous rush
Of enga gements produced an immense
effect, especially at the moment when
the desire TO close the Anglo-Irish con-
hict was in everybody's thoughts.
This years Irish party fund is certain
TO reach the highest figure in 20 years
and one result of O'Brien's mad cam
paign IN the county Of Cork has been TO
bring big subscriptions for the first
time since the Parnells split. County
Cork, nationally dead for score of
years, now pulsates with life and hope
as reply 10 O'Brien's disruptionist
campaign.
COMPARISON OF KINGS
The violence and universally OF the
grief of the English people over the
death Of King Edward naturally is
followed by the return to the fore of
the political conditions which even a
momentous death can not remove. and
already politicians are eagerly discuss
ing the notifications in the political
situation which the removal of King
Edward has made.
The first point to be considered of
course, is how far there is a differ
ence in the personality and intentions
Of the new king and the old. King
Edward and his son were in sharp con-
trsst to each other in many respects.
King Edward loved ali the tumult
and constant movement OF royal life.
It is doubtful whether George, although
he has travelled a great deal, has the
health or spirits for such constant
hustle
King Edward was a great diner out;
King George has spent most of his
evenings with his wife and children.
This means that the new court prob
ably VIII be more sedate than the old.
This side Of the new court naturally
brings in the new queen. She is a