Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-06-29
OATH IN COMMONS
NEW FORM INTRODUCED AND
READ.
Asquith Tells Why It Should Be
Adopted-King's Dislike of Giving
0ffense to Loyal Catholics.

LONDON, June 2e-Beginning by ex-
pressing the hope that it. would not be
controversial. Prime Minister Asquith in
the house OF commons yesterday afternoon
introduced the government bill altering
the form Of the kings declaration on his
accession to the throne.
Asquith reviewed the history of the
oath which Is so offensive to the Roman
Catholics OF the empire AsQuith said
the language of the oath was emphatic.
but it had been equaled by the thirty
and that used by the Church Of Rome to
converts in denunciation to Protestant
doctrines.
Roman Catholics, the premier declared.
enjoyed all civil aud political rights,
two ofices. Asquith said he hoped the
relics OF the past would soon be re-
moved.
offense to Loyal Subjects.
1.-The Roman Catholic subjects of the
crown number twelve Million" he said.
Nobody doubts their loyalty. and the
declaration cannot fail to be offensive
to the sovereign himself. (Cheers)
The late king found 1t repugnant
duty to signalize the beginning of his
reign by a repulsive formula directed
There were three distinct statutory
safeguards for the Protestant succession .
continued Asquith. I'VE could get rid of
the declaration altogether, but the gov
eminent proposes that 1t should run as
follows:
~ do solemniy and sincerely and In
the presence of God, profess, testify and
declare that 1 am faithful member Of
the Protestant Reformed Church, by law
established in England, and I will, ac-
cording to the true intent of the enact
ments which secure Protestant succession
to the throne OF my realm, uphold ana
maintain said attachments to the best of
my power according to law"
Denunciation Of Catholic Forms.
The old oath declared the sovereign's
disbelief In the doctrine Of transubstan-
tiation and denounced the alteration of
the Virgin Mary or any other saint as
practiced by the Church of home as
superstitious and idolatrous.
Asuuith expressed the hope that the
house would not enter into full debate
on the bill. Balfour. leader Of the OPP
position, joined Asauith in this wish.
He said that the late government.
of which he was prime minister, when
King Edward assembled the throne was
anxious to alter the declaration, but
found 1t impossible to do SO. Balfour
said he approved the change in order to
remove the source OF ofense which the
kings loyal subjects take to the form Of
the old oath.
The Introduction Of the bill was voted
3S3 to 42-and 1t was read the first time
amid general cheering.
Redmond for New Oath.
During the debate preceding the vote
William Redmond, the Irish nationalist
member, who has been agitating the
question of a change in the ascension
oath, said he did not believe it would be
reasonable for Catholics to object to the
new declaration.
Three irish conservatives-Capt. James
Craig, member for the eastern division
of County Down; Charles c. Craig, rep
resenting the southern division OF An
trim, and William Moore, the member for
the north division Of Armagh-opposed
the bill, as did the liberals. Sir CLIFFORD
John Cory, Thomas Agar-Robartes, Neil
Primrose, youngest son OF Lord Rose
berry and Alpheus Morton,