Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1913-11-28
Government DepIores COntin-
ued Increase Of Expendi-
lures for Construction OF
More BattIeShips,
CONFERENCE MERELY
TO EXCHANGE VIEWS
Prime Minister Declares Mat
ter Must Be Settled Before
There Can Be Harmony in
Empire,


Leeds, England, Nov 2l.--premier
Asquith's speech today, at the meeting
of the National Liberal Federation,
which was eagerly awaited because 10
was expected to throw light on the
question how far the negotiations for
a settlement of home rule by agree
ment had been successful, disappolnt-
ed those who We're sanguiue Of a
peaceful issue.
81 should be deceiying myself, he
said. iii I said that ] saw at this mo-
ment "a prospect Of agreement But
] cannot concur with those who say
that time has been or is being wast-
ed
The prime minister declared that
there was no foundation for the state
ment that on this or any other mat
ter the cabinet was divided which
the conservative press had been pro-
claiming for the last few DAYS With
regard to a possible settlement boy con-
sent. he held It should be carried be-
vond the reach Of electoral or parlia-
mentary vicissitudes, otherwise the
Irish question would continue TO be
the football Of party politics, to the
infinite injury Of both Ireland and the
United Kingdom as a whole
1t was in this spirit, said Mr.. AS
quith. that he took upon himself 20
invite not a conference Of party lead
ers but a free and unpre1adiced inter-
change Of views and suggestions. lie
had no reason to despair regardne
the acceptance of the invitation by the
leaders Of the opposition. The gov
ernment was not going TO make. either
ON its own initiative or on the susees-
ton Of others, any surrender Of prln-
ciple, but Il had not closed any door
on a reasonable way TO peace
There was no ground, whatever he
declared for the demand made by the
conservatives for "a general election.
II could not be fought on the single
issue Of home rule and could not re-
suit in n settlement Of the question.
So far as he was concerned he could
not advise any such course. The gov
ernment was determined TO give home
rule to Ireland and would not be
frightened or arrested 10y menaces OF
civil war.
The prime minister also disappont-
ed those who had been expecting some
pronouncement from him indicating
the prospect of decrease Of the vast
expenditure for armaments, concern
ing which much dissatisfaction has
been expressed among the liberals re-
Gently.
He. and every one Of his colleagues
In the government he said, lamented
as much as any man in the assembly
the huge diversion all over the world
lof national wealth into non-produc.
/ tive channels. A ministry which, out
OF wantonness or leyity in a burst OF
yainglorious rivalry, added as mucf
as pound 10 the expenditure for thai
Ipurpose was committing a nationa
crime They could not plead guilt
to that reproach. They were charged
with q solemn trust, and in its per
formance it was their duty to main
tain a yigilant watch on what the re
mainder of the nations were doinl
land be constantly ready. He though
the problem could be met by the co
operation of the great powers Of thu
world, brought about by tho demand
of the people.