Evening star., 1914-07-22
Statesmen Resume Confer
ences in Hope of Settling
lreIand's Problem.
KING GEORGE IS SCORED
FOR TAKING A HAND
Speech Arouses Bitter Criticism.
Premier Asquith Takes Full Re-
sponsibility for Remarks.

the crisis over the Irish home rule ques-
ton overshadowed everything else in the
British Isles today. When the representa-
tives of the liberals, conservatives, lrlsn
nationalists and Ulster unionists arrived
at Buckingham Palace this morning TO
continue their conference with we"
10 a pacific settlement Of the Ulster PROP
leAl they found an enormous crowd as
sembled in the great open space pe1ore
the gates of the palace
The various statesmen, as they passed
in. were respectfully greeted by their
sympathizers.
Premier Asquith today assumed IN the
house of commons full responsibility for
the speech made by the king YESTERDAY
to the political leaders who had met at
Buckingham Palace to confer on the
Irish home rule problem. He thus set at
reg, various reports in circulation since
the Ulster controversy has become acute
and since the first announcement OF 1ne
conference. The premier said: Inc
speech was sent to me in the ordinary
way by his majesty the day before II
was delivered and l take the entire re-
sponsibility for 1t. The king left 1t to the
discretion of the conference to determine
whether or not his speech should be pup
Hshed and the conference decided unani-
mously in favor Of its publication
His majesty throughout this matter
has followed the strictest constitutional
practice. He has not taken any step
from the beginning until now except in
consultation with and on the advice OF
his ministers
Premier Asauith, on being questioned as
to the calling of the conference, said with
emphasis that all attending the confer,
0a1fr nod
to discuss why it.was being held in Buck
ingham Palace instead of in the house
of commons.
When asked whether there would be an
opportunity for discussion in the house;
Premier Asquith retorted time will
show
Having disposed of the preliminaries
of the conference at yesterdays formal
I2espns,. when -kins>-tieorse- fasaTessed
the assembled statesmen, the conferees
arrived today prepared to tackle the crux
OF the problem-the area of Ulster to be
excluded from the action of the Irish
home rule bill and the means of carry
ing out this exclusion Some clearing OF
the ground had also been effected dur
Ing informal conferences yesterday aft
ernoon and evening.
Claims Are Presented.
At today's meeting the claims of the
two opposing Irish parties led by John
f. Redmond and Sir Edward Carson, on
the crucial question of the area to be
excluded. were presented. AS neither
the nationalist nor the Ulster unionist
leader possesses plenipotentiary powers.
however these claims must be submitted
to the consideration of their respective
party caucuses at each stage, so that the
progress of the conference necessarily
may he deliberate. The conferees were
in session for an hour and a half To-Day,
and then adjourned until tomorrow.
John Redmond and John Dillon. as they
l.ft Buckingham Palace and passed along
the sidewalk in front of Wellington bar
racks. received a great reception from
.kF men OF the battalion of Irish guards
stationed there. The soldiers crowded 10
tn. windows of the barrack rooms cheer
ing wildly and waving their caps.
Position of Two Sides.
Or,enly. the two sides are declaring
tha, they cannot withdraw from their
present positions. but 1t Is understood
that Premier Asquith is likely to submit
TO The conference an appeal to allow
the Protestant counties OF Ulster to vote
toge,her on the question OF EXCLUSION
from the home rule parliament, and that
he may also go so IA as to change the
time limit of six years, embodied IN the
amending bill.
Sir Edward Carson, the Ulster unlonist
leader will make a fight to have the
COUNT of Tyrone included in this agree
ment and this proposition will. 1t Is
thought. provoke connics Which VIII
decide the fate of the conference
The liberal newspapers In the provinces
continue to criticise King 1George
sneech. which most Of them VIII not be-
lieye the cabinet was -responsioie Ior.
They appear to be particularly frritated at
the phrase The talk Of civil war Is on
nr
sober-minded OF my people,, which they
saw might have been taken from the
speeches of the Ulster leaders. These,
says the Manchester Guardian. a Leading
to summon to his presence without
word of rebuke. The king has
Abeen unduly alarmed by the reports OF
certain of his unofficial counseiors and
rhe impression thus made on his mind
may unless he wisely determines to be
guided henceforth by his official counsel
ors have consequences more serious than
any that have yet been produced
King Georges Speech.
King George in receiving the conferees
al Buckingham Palace made the follow
ing brief speech:
'"It is with feelings of satisfaction and
hopefulness that 1 receive You here TO-
day. and I thank you for the manner il
| which YOU nave Acopohocu ~ my
mons. II is also a matter for congratu
lation that the speaker Of the house o.
commons has consented to preside owe
your meetings.
MY intervention at this moment may b.
regarded as a new departure. but the ex
ceptional circumstances under which yOl
are brought together justify my action.
For months have watched will
deep misgivings the course of events II
Ireland. The trend has been surely an,
steadily toward appeal to. force. ant
today the talk of civil war is on tn
lips of the most responsible and sober
minded of my people.
1--WE have in the past endeavored to ac
as c,lilizing example to- the world an
to me it is unthinkable, as it must be t.
you that We should be brought to tn
brink Of fratricidal strife upon issues ap
parently SO capable of adjustment a
those you are now asked to consider
handled In a spirit of generous compro
mise
Sympathy With Ireland.
My apprehension in contemplating
such a dire calamity is intensified by m
feeling of attachment to Ireland and O
sympathy with her people. who have al
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