New-York tribune., 1913-09-15
q. Bonar Law and Lord Curzon
CIOSeted with Monarch at
BaImOraI Castle.
DISCUSS IRISH QUESTION
Lord Loreburn's Proposal for
Interparty Agreement and
Mr.. Balfour's Grave Warn
ing Stir the Country.
TBy Cable 10 The Tribune.l

London. Sept. 15.-The political event
of the week end has been the visit of
A Bonar Law. leader of the Opposi-
tion in the House of Commons, and
Lord Curzon, former Viceroy Of India
and high in Unionist councils, to Bal
moral. Unquestionably this has given
an altogether new significance to Lord
Ioreburn's appeal for a conference on
the Home Rule question. 1t is now be-
,jeved that the question is engaging
the serious attention Of the leaders on
both sides.
There are also indications that the
King himself may take the initiative in
proposing such a conference. The au-
diences granted 10 the two Cnionist
statesmen may. without too daring an
exercise If the imagination, be con-
nected with his majesty's desire to as
certain whether the likelihood of an
agreement being reached is such as 10
Justify his taking a step which clearly
lies within his competence as a consti-
tutional monarch.
Before going 10 Balmoral Mr.. Bonar
Law had an interview with Lord Lans-
downe. leader Of the Unionist majority
in the House Of Lords. at Meikleour,
Perthshire. From there he automo-
billed 10 Balmoral Castle and was clos
eted with the King and his personal as
distinguished from his ministerial ad-
visers for some time.
Coincidently. Premier Asquith is TAX
ing a holiday at Lossiemouth, which is
within striking distance of Balmoral
and il is announced with some stress
that ex-Premier Balfour will be at his
home at Whittingehame. East Lothian,
for the greater part Of the week-that
is 10 say, he will be near at hand for
any development the next few days
may bring forth.
Mr.. Balfour and Lord Loreburn are
jointly responsible for the present situ-
alton. A week ago at HaddingtOn Mr..
Balfour delivered a great speech in
which he pointed out with a force and
a clearness that strongly impressed the
public imagination the dangers into
which the nation was drifting in de-
fault Of any modification in tie gov
ernment's Irish policy. The immediate
sequel Of this speech was Lord Lore
burns letter. which is likely TO become
historic.
Ii is agreed on all hands that the
Loreburn proposal impaired an en-
tirely new aspect to the situation, but
as yet there is not the slightest indi-
cation that the Nationalists and the
Unionists are willing 70 compromise
ever the Irish problem. Mr.. Red
mond's irreducible minimum is a Par
lament in Dublin. with an executive
responsible to it, and this is just the
enc thing which Sir Edward Carson
VIII not agree TO under any considera-
ton.
The difference between them is one
of principle and not of detail; conse-
quently, should the conference he held
it is bound to prove abortive.
London. Sept 1.-THE presence OF two
OF the most prominent Conservatives OF
the two houses OF Parliament at Bal
moral as the Kings guests-Andrew
Bonar Law. who is the ttular leader of
the Opposition. and Lord Curzon OF Ked-
lesion, who recently declared in the
House OF Lords that the Irish question
could never be settled except by the con-
sent OF both parties-is keeping the dis
cussion OF the possibility of an attempt
TO compromise at fever heat