Evening star., 1914-07-20
KING ASKSLE
TO CONFER ON BILL
Representatives of All Political
Parties to Discuss Home
Rule Problem.
ASQUITH so NOTIFIES
HOUSE OF COMMONS
Government Is Willing to Go Great
Way to Meet Ulster Demands, But
Is Hampered by Nationalists.

LONDON, July 2O.-Premier Asquith. at
| the opening of the house of commons to-
day, announced that King George, in
view of the grave political situation. has
considered 1t right to summon a confer
ence Of the representatives of the po-
itical parties, both British and Irish, to
discuss the outstanding points of the
problem Of Irish government"
The premier added that the Rt. Hon.
James Lowther. speaker of the house Of
commons, would. at his majestys request,
preside over the conference.
In view of this development of the sit
uation, Premier Asquith said he would
not ask the house to discuss today the
bill to amend the Irish home rule bill.
The invitations to the conference have
been accepted by two representatives each
Of the regular opposition, Of the Ulster
unionists, of the Irish nationalists and Of
the government
Premier Asquith said he hoped the
meetings of the conference would begin
tomorrow.
Andrew BernIaw. leader of the oppo-
sition. on it's behalf remarked that it
had 1oyally accepted the command of
his majesty.
Invitation in Form of Command.
tionalists scarcely appeared to regard
He said:
My colleagues and myself take no
responsibility for the policy of calling
this conference. and 1 do not think
am called upon to express an opinion
as to whether the result will prove
useful or the contrary. The invitation
came to John Dillon and myself in the
form of command from the king and
as such We at once obeyed it,
Lawrence Ginnell, a nationalist men,
Der, interjected warning note into
the otherwise peaceful interlude by
asking II there was any precedent for
the premier advising action to place
himself at the head of a conspiracy to
defeat the wishes of the house.
The question was ignored and the
house then proceeded with other busi-
ness.
round table conference of the leaders
of all the political parties in the United
Kingdom to discuss the crisis in the
province of Ulster caused a pleasant sur
prise today in political circles here. 1t
was felt that conference under the di-
rect auspices of the king would result
in a settlement which even the extrem-
lists of both sides in Ireland would be
compelled to accept
The king curtailed his visit to Spithead
and returned quickly to London after re-
viewing the feet. He went at once to
Buckingham Palace for the conference.
King Anxious for Settlement.
Premier Asquith was with the king at
Portsmouth through the week end, and
the kings anxiety to get the difficulty
settled resulted in the decision to call
conference.
The ministers are placing great reliance
in the persuasive powers of Chancellor
Lloyd George, who has been shunted
temporarily from the financial duties to
assist the prime minister in solving the
Irish difficulty. Chancellor Georges busi-
ness is to smooth the path between ma
tionalists and liberals.
ing to go a considerable way in meeting
the Carsonite demands, but is hampered
by the unyielding attitude of the ma
tionalists.
Mr.. Redmond has called conference
of his party to hear a report from Joseph
Devlin. member of parliament for Bel
fast. who has returned from mission
In the north of Ireland. This conference
may have an important bearing on the
negotiations.
At a meeting of the national execu-
tive committe of the Irish Trades
Union Congress and the labor party in
Dublin resolutions were passed urging
workers throughout Ireland. including
Ulster. to oppose the exclusion of
Ulster. and If a provisional govern
ment Is set up in Ulster to resist it
with all available means.