The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-07-21
British Monarch Shakes Hands
With Each Conferee.
GOODNESS m THE ATMOSPHERE
Asquith and Law Are Barely on
Speaking Terms.
Effort To Be Made 1T Compr0.
mise ON Home Rule.

London, July 21.-So deep is the in
terest taken by the public OF all classes
in the crisis which has arisen over the
Irish home rule question that great
crowds gathered today. outside Buck
ingham palace, to witness the arrival
Of the various party leaders who are to
participate in the conference inaugu-
rated by King George with view to
bringing about a peaceable settlement.
The Right Hon. James Lowther'
speaker of the house Of commons, who
was chosen to preside over the con-
ference, was the first to appear. He
was quickly followed by the eight men
who represent the various parties.
Liberal, Urionist, Nationalist ana
Ulsterite. ALI came in motor cars
with the exception of the Marquis OF
Landsdowne who walked. King
George with Baron Stamfordham, his
private secretary, received the states
men in the chamber where the prtvy
council always meets. and he shook
hands cordially with all OF them.
Probably this was the FIST time that
John E. Redmond and John Dillon the
Irish Nationalist leaders, had exchanged
greetings with their sovereign, as 1t had
been the practice of the Nationalist
members of parliament to remain away
from all functions where members OF
the house Of commons were likely to be
brought into contact with royalty.
strained Relations.
The meeting of the Conservative and
Liberal leaders on such intimate footing
was apparently friendly. but could not
have been cordial. Premier Asquith
and Andrew Bonar Law have been
barely on speaking terms as Mr.. Law
practically accused the premier in the
house Of commons. of lying about recent
government plans to suppress the
Ulster volunteers.
The Marquis of Lansdowne. leader Of
the Unionists In the house Of lords, and
David Lloyd George, chancellor o. tho
exchequer, two of the other con 'e.ece.
represent the most extreme aris:oC ratio
ard democratic schools of British roli-
tics and are generally believed to Re
bitter personal enemies.
Since personal feeling among poll
ticians in the United Kingdom never
ran so high as at present. the atmos-
phere Of the gathering could not have
been otl.e- wise than extremely chilly
ard formal.
After a brief conversation. King
George withdrew from the meeting
about noon. leaving the conferees to
their deliberations.
Radicals, Resented It..
According to the Daily News. which
represents tie section of the radicals
that resents the kings Interference,
the king intends to withhold assent
from the home rule bill unless the
amending bill Is presented at the
same time for the royal assent. tho
court view being that the king is en-
titled to take this course because the
introduction OF the amending bill has
vitiated the procedure under the par
Lament act
The Daily News believes that it was
the difficulty thus raised which COM
PEELED recourse to the round confer
ence. 1t adds that the Unionist lead
ers at first refused to enter the con-
ference except on the condition that
there should be a general election in
autumn. This the government de-
clined to accede to. whereupon the
kings summons for q conference was
put in the form of command, in
stead Of q request.