The Washington times., 1914-02-10
KING FEARS GRAVE
PROBLEM IN ULSTER
Home Rule Question Must Be
Handled With Judgment, He
SayS-MiIitantS Quiet.

LONDON. Feb. 1O.-The grave seri-
BUSINESS of the situation in Ulster,
growing out of the home rule fight,
was emphasized in King Georges s
speech from the throne that opened
parliament today.
His majesty deeply regretted that
the efforts TO solve the Irish problem
have so far proved unsuccessful.
Il Mess the home rule question is
handled now with foresight and
Judgment and a spirit of mutuaI con-
ccssion." said the speech. it threatens
grave future difficulties"
the King hoped that the consulta-
ions Of the powers regarding the
autonomy Of Albania and the dis
position Of the Aegean Islands. dis
puted by Turkey and Greece would
contribute to lasting peace in the
Balkans. He expressed satisfaction
with the results OF the recent inter-
national conference on safety at sea.
and pledged British legislation to
carry out the recommendations of the
conference.
Though the Liberals have what
they confidently believe is a safe ma
5oritN, the Unionists are prepared to
light home rule to the last ditch.
King George and Queen Mary were
present, and Mrs Emmeline PankhuTst
was on hand. The suffragette leader
returned Unexpectedly from France last
night. Mrs. Dacre Fox had announced
that the militants would attempt
demonstration, and extraordinary po-
lice precautions were taken.
Twenty or more mi.itants, wearing
sandwich boards demanding woman suf-
frage, marched through White Hall
after tie King and Queen had passed.
The police turned them back an eighth
OF mile from the houses of parliament.
Because Of the unprecedented military
and police protection at Westminster.
the Women's Social and Political Union
gave UP its attempt to present a votes
for-women petition to King George.
"The Chief Cat"
Superintendent Quinn. of Scotland
Yard, known among the women rs the
chief cat" a quiet little gray-haired
man in Prince Albert coat and silk hat,
was a conspicuous figure walking
alongside the big gilded coach. caring
the King and Queen. Gayly clad yeO-
men of the guard, in their quaint Tudor
uniforms OF scarlet and gold, trudGed
on either side.
Shortly before 10 o'clock. a detach-
nIent of yeonen marched 20 Westmins-
ter to perform their historic duty of
searching the vaults under parliament
for possible imitators of Guy Fawkes.
Four thousand soldiers OF the Brig
ade of Guards were on duty in the
streets when, just after noon, their maj
estes rode in state along the Mall,
Whitehall. and Parliament street, be-
hind eight cream-colored Hanoverian
ponies. and under the escort OF several
sCuadroLs of cuirassed Life Guards, the
HEADQUARTERS staf of the army. and
high officers Of state.
Great crowds lined the route and gave
the monarch and his consort hearty
greetings.
On their arrival at the royal entrance
70 the house of lords an imposing pre-
cessiOn. headed by trumpcters and her
aids was formed. and made Its way
10 the legislative chamber. where tine
Eeers and Deeresses. in robes AMI coro- |
pets. were assembled. Ambassador
Walter Hines Page, with Mrs. Page, !
ere spectators in the diplomatic gal
lery.
The speech from the throne referred
TO the intended reintrodUction of the
lone rule. Welsh disestab ishment, and
the anti-plurel voting bills Cthe last
Of which is up for second passage un-
der the veto act), and announced that
proposals would be laid before Darlia- !
ment by the government for the reform
Of the house Of lords. and for legisla- |
ton regarding land ownership.