The San Francisco call., 1910-07-11
ROOSEVELT TALKS
POLITICS TO king
Colonel Tells George of England
That Home Rule Should
Be Granted
Especial Gable 10 The Call

Especial Gable 10 The Call
S LONDON, July 10.-When Theodore
Roosevelt was here he had two inter
views with King George.
The first conversation was formal and
ceremonial. The second, it is said now,
was arranged especially so that the
former president could have a heart to
heart talk with the king. 1t took place
at luncheon to which King George
had invited Roosevelt. Except Queen
Mary. nobody of consequence was at
the luncheon, and the king and Roose-
welt could and did talk with perfect
freedom and frankness. Mrs. Roosevelt
joined the little party some time after
luncheon.
The Call correspondent learns on au-
thority that at this second meeting
Roosevelt explained TO King George his
views on world politics, especially with
reference to Anglo-German relations
and Anglo-American relations and in
direct connection with the latter sub
ject on Anglo-Irish relations.
DANGER AHEAD
Then the question of an Anglo
American arbitration treaty was dis
cltssed. Roosevelt frankly told the
king that as long as Americans of
Irish birth or parentage remain un-
conciliated by the English there will be
no chance that the United States SEN
ate will ratify such treaty. Further
more Roosevelt insisted that the dan
ger to Anglo American relations from
the same cause would be. very grave
should a crisis arise under circum-
stances in which ordinary American
sentiment would favor England.
King George regretfully admitted
the truth of 'Roosevelt's representations.
At this point the conversation between
King George and the former president
naturally turned to home rule for Ire
land Roosevelt advocated granting
home rule as essential to cementing
not only the British empire but Anglo
American sentiment.
It is certain that before this inter
view with the king Roosevelt had OBJ
tained the opinions not only of the
Irish leaders with whom he has been
long familiar. but OF Irishmen who are
not connected with the home rule
movement, like Sir Horace Plunkett,
who explained perfectly that home rule
should be tried under certain condi-
tions.
Besides, Clifford Pinchot, formerly
United States forester, and Roosevelt S
friend, made it his business during his
two protracted visits to Ireland this
year to gather information for Roose-
welt from the Irish unionists. whom he
met at Sir Horace Plunkett's home.
where he was a guest and other
sources.
HOME RULE INEVITABLE
The effect of this information was
that Roosevelt and Pinchot realized
that home rule is inevitable and that
there is no serious opposition to 1t by
a coterie of Ulster Orangemen. They
learned, too, that the tory feeling
against home rule except among Irish
unionists and their family connections
in England, has died out, practically,
and that at the last two general elec-
tions the old anti-Irish cry was found
wholly ineffective for electioneering
purposes
King George sympathized with Roose-
velt's arguments.
Subsequently his majesty called to
him not only Premier Asquith. but
Lloyd-George, chancellor of the ex-
chequer, and Arthur Balfour, formerly
premier and now leader OF the oppo-
sition in the house of commons. with
all of whom he discussed the views
Roosevelt had laid before him. The
queen strongly supported the king In
his demand that the leaders of both
English parties put their heads together
and try to solve the Irish problem.