The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1910-07-09
oe to hurry up the conference al,

Tories. Winston Churchill still speaks
hopefully of the poss, bility of com.
promise in the conference, and the two
successes of the Liberals in two re-
cent by-elections will help the Liber
ais and weaken the Tories.
In any case, however, Redmond's
success in getting the winter sittings
has pleased the Radicals as much as
the Irish.
Thus the week, which began in
gloom and uncertainty. ends in ener-
gy, confidence and a closer union OF
the English and irish progressive
forces, and the near future promises
either the acceptance by the Tories OF
some compromise which will give the
Liberals and Irish most of what they
want, or an in1mediat', and more vio-
lent renewal of the compaign against
the present powers of the house OF
lords.
Lloyd George Leads All.
1t was the unconquerable optimism
of loyd-George that carried the con-
ference through. Nobody cared for it
except, of course, the king; nobody
believed in it but he. His success III
this, as in so many other great trans
actions since he took office, is a re-
markable proof of the enormous in
fuence which is exercised in political
life by sheer tenacity of purpose and
| clearness of aim.
The nineteen men who compose the
present British cabinet are, like all
gatherings of men, Cf varied intelli"
gence, aims and temneraments; with
the net result that, again like mo It
large bodies of men appointed to do
executive work, they are feeble and
uncertain of purpose. Some are able
men, some are not; some are resolutc
of purpose, but narrow of vision; some
broad of vision, but infirm of purpose
Strength Impaired by BirreII.
| The most remarkable figure of tie
conference and in some respects tn.
most nexpected-leaNing-.o out. .Asquith
Lloyd George and Baifour-is Angus
tine. Birrell. The addition of his name
enormously strengthens the conference
from every point of view. He is q
man of first class intelligence-he il
a lawyer with much legal lore, espe-
cially in constitutional law; and he Is
so winning personality that he must
| tell heavily in transactions where, aft
er all, the personal equation is bound
to be a dominating factor. A brilliant
spontaneous wit, with the keenest
sationalist, one of the most brilliant
pens of his time, and withal simple
good hearted, high minded, he is 4
man after Balfour's own heart.
| Birrell, Furthermore, recommends
himself to the Irish because of hi:
| fearless, unshakable faith in home rule
and in Ireland. In spite of the many
sordid cares and heart breaking diff
culties of such an impossible office q:
that of Liberal chief secretary for
Ireland, Birrells love for the Irish peo-
pie and for their causes never hax
abated.
The haunting dread, of course, ol
Irishmen with regard to these confer.
ences is that the case of Ireland might
be given away. Personally have nc
such fear-my .apprehensions take
quite different direction. But il
there be cause for such apprehension
the appointment Of Birrell does grea,
deal to remove them. Whatever else
be given away in any conference o.
which he is a member, the cause OF
Ireland will not be one of them.
Fear Division of Liberals.
I do not then dread the conference
because I think the Liberal negotia
tors neither would or could betray home
rule. The peril lies in another direc.
ton altogether. The Liberals may
assent to some patched up arrange.
ment with regard to tie house of lord.
which may divide their own forces.
There is rumor af1oat that Lloyd
George favors conferences betweel
the two houses Of parliament in cas-,
of disagreement; the lords, of course
being considerably reduced in mum
Der at such a conference; that is t.
say, that instead of all the 600 appear
ing, they should delegate their power
and duties to 100 or $50. OF thes,
about one-fourth would be Liberals
leaving three quarters of the numbe
to the Tories.
Such a representation would be out
voted, of course, if the Liberals plu
the Irish had substantial majorit,
of something like 100.
Lady (who has been shopping)-