Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-02-13
HOME RULE BATTLE
Begins With Parliament's
Opening Tomorrow.
ALL ENGLAND INTERESTED
Speculation Also Rife Over Woman
Suffrage Question.
TWO FACTIONS IN CABINET
Lloyd George Will Present Bill I'M
der Guise of Amendment to
Reform Measure.
ALL ENGLAND INTERESTED
TWO FACTIONS IN CABINET

LONDON, February 13.-On the eve of
the opening session of parliament which
cOnvenes for the first time in 1912 to-
morrow morning, speculation is rife as
to what action will be taken on the big
problems now agtating all of Britain.
Will women get the right to vote?
VIII Ireland be given home rule, and
does she want the system of self-govern-
ment that Great Britain is willing to
grant? These are the questions that are
being asked and answered in a hundred
and one different ways throughout the
length and breadth of the United King
dom.
Members of parliament have been flock
ing into London from all quarters of
the earth during the last week, and much
of the time since their arrival has been
spent I'm lodging members of the National
Anti-Suffrage League and the National
Union of Woman Suffrage societies, who
have included in the campaign for and
against tire suffrage movement a system
of outtOnho,ing members of both leS1s-
1ative branches for the purpose of Sc
curing their opinion on the subject.
England Awaits Results.
Woman suffrage and home rule have
been discussed with more interest and
debated and fought over with more bit
terness during the last two weeks than
ever before. and all England is breath
lessly awaiting the results of what are
expected to be two of the most stub
born parliamentary struggles in history
This state of affairs is due to the fact
tina. the bills, which Will be introduced
L. the coming session asking for votes
IGr women and home rule for Ireland,
have unusually good chances of being
passed
The leaders of the opposition to both
movements have finished their prepara-
tons in perfccting pans for resisting the
attempts "a put the bills through.
The cabinet has been split into two
factions over. the suffrage question and
the members of the ''antis,' under the lead
crShip of Premier Asquith, have announc-
cd their intention of crushing any attempt
on the part of Lioyd-George or his ad-
liercnts to secure votes for women This
.,ntagonism the part of the premier
is certain 10 cause a woTdy duel between
himself and the chancellor OF the
exchequer. which may result in a per-
manent rupture between the two leaders.
If such condition is brought about, the
private meetings of the cabinet council
of the future are due to become seething
cauldrons of strife and antagonism.
Lloyd-George will present his bill for
suffrage in the house of commons under
the guise of an amendment to the re-
form bill. and this little piece of par
namentary ingenuity is looked upon as
the lighted fuse which will end in an ex-
plosion of bombastic opposition by the
premier and his followers.
Fight Against Home Rule.
The fight for and against home rule
probably will surpass the suffrage bat
tie in bitterness. Although the bill which
will be introduced by Premier Asquith is
not looked upon with entire favor by the
supporters of the home rule movement,
they will fight to have it passed, with
view to getting greater privileges later on.
The. projected bill is said to call for the
establishment of a parliament in Dublin
which will have full control of excise
and customs, with a provision 1nsur1ng
free trade between England and Ireland;
The bill also gives Ireland an imperial
subsidy of S10,O00O00 annually for fif-
teen years. after which time. contri-
button based on percentage of Ire
lands revenues will be made to the i'm
perial exchequer. The bill is said to pro-
vide for an Irish parliament consisting of
two houses, but ii will have no control
over the navy, army. militia, foreign pol
/. or lighting of coasts. 1t will be forbid
den to establish endOw any religion
or to impose any disability or to confer
any benefit on account of religious be-
lief, or to appropriate any public revenues
for any religious purposes.
Despite the inevitable break that is ex-
pected between Asquith and Lloyd-George
over the suffrage bill, both liberal lead
ers are working for the legislation of
home rule and will combine their forces
with John Redmond leader of the Irish
nationalist party. Loyd-George is in
honor bound to give his help TO the move
ment for self-governnent in Ireland, be-
cause Of the powerful aid given him by
Redmond and the Irish natienaliSts in
pushing through his pet project. the bill
for tie establishment of a budget. Wins
ton Churchill, first lord of the admiralty,
+, also will give his active support to the
measure.
Demonstrations in Belfast.
There is considerable speculation going
on as to what effect last weeks demon
strations in Belfast will have on the DOS
sfbility OF home rule legislation. 1t is
taken for granted that the members of
both houses from Belfast and the sur
rounding country in the province of u
ster will adhere to the traditions of their
forefathers. and, under the leadership of
Lord Londonderry, fight to keep Ire
land safe for the king
The most powerful leader of the forces
opposing home rule is Sir Howard Car
son, and If he conducts the fight against