Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1912-04-12

1 LbIltlOiis Apill lit II 1911 ilDIIjc
rule bill, the third effort made by Lib
eral governments of the United King
dom in a quarter of a century to settle
| the quarrel between Great Britain and
ireland, was introduced in the House
of Commons, this afternoon, by Prem
| Ter Asquith.
The official title of The bill is: THE
government of Ireland bill"
Britishers have been becoming in
ured to political upheavals in recent
years so that the crowded galleries
which Mr.. Asquith faced when he nail
ed up the home rule flag, today, was a
| tribute to the historic Importance at
tached to the occasion. The galleries
set apart for members of the diplo-
matte representatives. peers and the
public, We're filled to their utmost ca
pacity while every seat in the body of
the house was occupied and an over
flow stood in the gangways.
When the police who have charge
of the Houses of Parliament opened
the door of the members entrance to
the House of Commons at o'clock
this morning, no fewe" than 20 mem
bers We're waiting on the Threshold
in order To secure seats for the open
ing of the debate on the Irish home
rule bill this afternoon. Half an hour
later 80 seats in the House had been
taken and by half past ten every seat
on the opposition had either hat or
a card ON it to indicate that il haf
been appropriated.
Donald McMaster. who Is a Cana
dian and sits as tnionist member
from the county of Surrey had tht
honor OF being the first arrival He
was closely followed by three Nation
alist members and then came a stead,
stream of men representing all sides
of politics. Although the seats of the
leaders of the varieus parties IRE gen
orally respected by the other members
John Redmond. the leader Of the Ma
tionalists accompanied by his broth
er, William II. X. Redmond. and BY
John Dillon, drove up during the
morning To make assurance doubly
sure.
The capacity of the House is Sc
limited that even with the members
standing at the bar and grouped
around the Speakers chair. there is
not room for all
The treasury bench will not accom-
modate all the members OF the cabinet
and those arriving late have 10 find
places ON the steps of the chair.
lie public is likewise eyinclng enor-
nous interest in the home rule debate
and immense crowds gathered early in
Parliament square to watch the arriv-
al OF the principal personages in this
great event Of British political his
tory. The relatives and friends of
members to whom are allotted all the
places in the public galleries. arrived
early 10 get the positions and others
who had alternate tickets emitting
them To enter when the first arrivals
had become tired, waited patiently fol
hours, in the hope of getting in.
Among these We're many priests and
irish visitors as we'll as two Amer
leans, w. Forbes Morgan and DIR. H
A. Houghton. who had two of the
tickets issued daily at the United
States embassy.
Whitelaw Reid, the United States
ambassador. was seated among the
other ambassadors, who had been Civ
en- seats in the distinguished stranger
gallery.
Premier Asquith was greeted with
prolonged cheers from the National
lists and Liberals when he rose to
speak.
He took up the narrative OF home
rule from the points at which the late
William Ewart Gladstone left off Is
years ago, pointing out that through
all the political changes and through
peace and war the insstence and per-
sistence Of the Irish demand for home
rule had remained constant
The vote of Ireland, he said, was
Pre- ponderantly in favor of home rule
ana the right of a relatively small mi
| nority in Ulster to veto the will Of
| the vast majority of the Irish people
could not be admitted.
| He had always presented the case of
| home rule for ireland as the first step
| in a larger scheme Of devotion The
| separate concerns of the different
parts of the United Kingdom could.
| he said, never be treated adequately
until they had been handed over TO
their special representative.
|