New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-05-13
Premier Asquith Gives
Pledge That Modifica-
tiOns Will Be Made.
SEPARATE MEASURE
TO BE INTRODUCED
Plan as at Present Formulated
Must First Become Law
Without Change.
rBy Cable 10 The Tribune, J

ton suddenly developed an acute phase
again last night, when the government
found themselves on the brink OF preci-
pice. with John Redmond warning them
that In certain contingencies he will push
them over. Mr.. Asquith. announcing MS
policy on the future progress Of the Home
Rule bill. informed the House OF his In
tention to pass the measure as it stands
and then introduce an amending Dill Win
the intention that both should reach the
statute book at about the same time.
Then, in an electrically tense scene, ne
laughed the amending bill TO scorn unless
il were introduced 10 give effect TO an
agreed upon settlement. Otherwise he
will hold himself absolutely free 20 deal
with the amending bill on its merits
This declaration has caused the greatest
sensation throughout political circles. and
Liberals, as well as Unionists. are now
eagerly discussing the prospects OF gen
eral election this summer.
While some interpret Mr. Redmonds
speech as a warning 20 the government
against further concessions 10 the Union
fists, others interpret IT as a warning 10
Ulster that once the Home Rule bill is on
the statute DoOh tOhS'so'""
can only be had by consent of the
Nationalist.
London May 12-Premier Asquith in the
House Of Commons to-day pledged the
government TO introduce an amending bill
10 the Home Rule for Ireland measure
in the hope OF it being passed by agree
ment between the parties II this offer
is accepted. he said. both the original
Home Rule bill and the amending bill will
become law practically simultaneously.
This, he contended, was the only proper
way Of carrying out any agreed settle
ment which might be reached.
The Prime Minister added that obvi-
ously. in order to take advantage Of the
provisions Of the Parliament act, no
change could be made in the Home Rule
for Ireland bill while it was in the COM
mittee stage, and therefore any debate
during that stage would be pure waste of
time.
Premier Hopes for Settlement.
In announcing that the third reading Of
the Home Rule bill on its third passage
through the House of Commons would be
taken before Whitsuntide, the Premier
said:
IF, as I hope, as ! trust. we can ar
rive at a settlement I am sure. as
matter OF procedure, that that settlement
must take the form of a supplementary
bill.
"I have said I will never close the door
on the possibility of any settlement. l
| have
ever done before, when | say on behai
of the government that while / shall
ask the House Of Commons TO give the
Irish Home Rule bill its third reading
before Whitsuntide, the government VIII
make itself responsible for introducing
amending proposals to that Dill, III tpe
hone that a settlement by agreement
may be arrived at in regard TO matters
Immediately outstanding.
Mr. Bonar Law, leader of the Opposl-
tion. who bitterly criticised the gag
methods proposed by Mr.. Asquith and
who accused the Premier of failing to
redeem the pledges given to reconstitute
the House Of Lords, said lie was unable
TO share the governments optimism re-
garding the possibility of settlement.
The crux of the situation, said Mr..
Ronar Law. lay between Premier Asquith
and John Redmond. the Irish Nationalist
leader, as under the governments sys-
tenn the House of Commons was power
less. The only alternatives open 10 the
government, the speaker declared. were
the exclusion or the coercion OF ulster
now that the Cabinet had decided against
an appeal TO the people.
Redmond Keeps Free Hand.
John Redmond, the Irish Nationalist
leader. remarked that the reception OF
Premier Asauith's proposals by the OPP
position only emphasized the futlity or
irving to make advances TO them.
Mr.. Redmond sympathized most sim
cerely with the Prime Minister'S hopes
OF an ultimate settlement. III those
homes were to be realized the best course
would be the introduction of an amend
ing bill. Mr.. Asquith had declared, how
ever, that even If all efforts TO arrive at
a peaceful settlement failed. II was still
his intention 10 introduce an amending
hill The Nationalist leader remarked
that that was very serious decision TO
announce, and for his part he could not
commit himself TO approval or this
course. certainly not approval at this
moment when pourparlers were supposed
IN be going on and there was hope OF
reaching an ultimate peaceful settle
ment.
He hoped that II an amending bill was
introduced IL would be to give erect 10
the agreement reached. II an amending
hin were introduced after failure TO
zach an agreement, then he must hold
mself absolutely free TO deal with II
en- il arose.
roceeding. Mr. Redmond complained
m the Opposition's idea of COM
snise was 10 receive everything they
oned for and give nothing In return.
p'had as high an interest as Sir Edward
olrson in a peaceful settlement, and, for
one. he was prepared 10 run great risks
and mako great sacrifices, but the posi-
ton in which the Opposition sought 10
place the Nationalist was neither fair
nor honorable. While the Nationalist
desired a peaceful settlement, he said
they were opposed TO fresh offers at the
nresent stage. The Nationalist, he re-
marked. were now consolng themselves
with the fact that they were In the posi-
ton OF knowing that in a few weeks the
triumph for which they and their iathers
had spent their lives would be consum'
mated.
Crowd Visits Art Gallery.
Despite the waning Of the art season