The San Francisco call., 1910-07-03


The most remarkable figure of the
conference, and in some respects the
most eXpected-leaving out Asquith
Lloyd George and Balfour-is Angus
tine Birrell. The addition of his name
enormously strengthens the conference
from every point of view.
BirreH. furthermore, recommends
himself to the irish because of his
fearless. unshaken faith in home rule
and in Ireland. In spite of the many
sordid cares and heart breaking diff
culties Of such an impossible Office a.
that of liberal chief secretary for Ire
land, Birrelfs love for the Irish people
and for their cause never has abated.
Whatever else be given away in any
conference of which he is a member
the cause of Ireland viii not be one of
them.
Indeed, ireland has two great per
sonal securities besides in the com
position of this conference. One of the
problems that has been calling out for
settlement for many years is that Of
Welsh dsestablishment The church
of England in Wales is still the church
formed by the state and is paid by the
state. But the overwhelming majority
of the Welsh people are nonconformists
and they feel on this question a pro-
found sense of wrong and bitterness
that is almost unintelligible to those
who are not Welsh.
REPRESENTATIVES, FROM WALES
For more than 80 years they have
been sending to parliament an over
whelming majority Of the representa-
tives in favor of Welsh disesta blish-
ment; in the last parliament there were
81 adherents of Welsh disestablf
ment; now there are just 81 represen-
tatives from Wales: that is to saw that
<4c a<r.~- Il F~--
tablishment by an absolutely nanimouss
roice-an almost unprecedented fact In
the history of any country. But Welsh
disesta blishment not only has not come,
but seems rather farther off than ever
with the result that Wales is impa-
tient, angry, almost rebellious. The
one obstacle to Welsh disesta blishment
is the same one obstacle as stands in
the way of home rule for Ireland
namely, the house of lords.
There have been matorities in favor
OF both these reforms in houses Of COM
mons several times during the last 20
years, and in the last house of COM
mons Welsh disestablishment would
have been carried by a majority OF 800.
But it was not even proposed. for the
simple sreason that however great the
majority in the house Of commons, the
house Of lords, it was known. would
have rejected the proposal And there
is no such enthusiasm for Welsh dis
establishment among the majority of
Englishmen as to justify the govern
ment in wasting a whole session in
passing a measure doomed to certain
death in the house of lords.
MANY PERILS IN SIGHT
There is a rumor a1oat that Lloyd
George favors conference between
the two houses of parliament in case of
disagreement; the lords, of course. being
considerably reduced in number at such
a conference; that is to say. that in
stead of all the 500 appearing they
should delegate their powers and duties
to 100 or $50. OF these about one fourth
would be liberals. leaving three-quar-
ters of the number to the tories.
Such a representation would be out
voted. of course, if the liberals plus the
Irish had a substantial majority of
something like 100. That would mean
that when the liberals did have a sub
stantial ma ajority they could carry their
bills at the joint conference. But the
scheme or. indeed. almost any scheme
would, while satisfying some, displease
others; there might be split in the
liberal party itself; there might be a
split with the Irish; and such q split
would mean, of course. not merely the
destruction OF the ministry, but of the
present great combination. and of all
the hopes with which the combination
ess bound up.