The Washington herald., 1914-05-26
HONE rule WINS;
IRISH JUBILAM
CONTINUED FROM PAGE ONE.

Into the corridors. The galleries reserved
for the foreign diplomats and the peers
were jammed when Premier Asquith arose
| to make his statement for the govern
ment.
The noise Of the members made 1t difii-
cult to hear the questions put to the
premier and his answers. The members
trooped in by droves, summoned by the
"whips'' of their respective parties to
prevent defeat on a SNAP division"
Premier Asquith disappointed the mem
bers by failing to give details Of the
bill. which the government intends to
Introduce to amend the home rule meas
ure. Many protested at this failure.
Speaker Lowther then made a personal
statement to explain the adjournment of
the session last Thursday after great
disorder. In his speech the speaker ap-
pealed to the premier to give further
information regarding the pending bill.
Speaker Lowther was placed in a deli
cate position. The Unionists had vowed
to force his resignation and prevent the
election of a successor. thus causing Par
liamentary chaos from which the premier
would have no way 70 escape through an
appeal to the electorate.
In the effort to protect himself
Lowther urged Asquith to set the gov
ernment's position forth fully.
Made PaciAc Speech.
The speakers address was OF a pa
cifc nature. He concluded by apollo
gizing TO A. Bonar Law. the Unionist
leader, for using offensive expression
to Law last Thursday.
When the speaker concluded. Pre-
mier Asquith announced that the gov
ernment would amend the home rule
bill and the amended bill would con-
firm any agreement reached by the
parties, but that IL no agreement were
reached before the bill went to the
House of Lords. the amending measure
would embody the Ulster exclusion
proposals he had already outlined.
These provided for a vote by repre-
sentatives of the various counties OF
Ulster to determine whether they
should participate in Dublin parlia-
ment or remain under the English
government for q limited period.
Bonar Law then suggested to his Union
ist followers that they let the home rule
fight come to an end and take the d.
vision Immediately.
''If the present situation continues" he
said, Parliament will not be worth pre-
serving. The opposition cannot discuss
the third reading of the BILL"
To Produce Proposal.
Premier Asquith then stated that when
the amended bill goes to the House OF
Lords the government would produce Its
proposal.
The division was taken as soon as
Premier Asquith had made his final state
ment, the Unionists refraining from de-
bate in accordance with the instructions
Of Law In the balloting the followers
of william OBrien abstained from vot-
ing.
announcement of the result Of the
vote was followed by an unprecedented
Nationalists and Liberals
sprang from their seats in delirious
outbreak OF cheering. Speaker Lowther
made no effort to check the tumult. He
knew 1t was useless. The roar OF cheers
and the clapping Of hands drowned out
the cat calls and Kisses Of the discomht-
ed Unionists.
Frenzied supporters of the government |
cIasped each other in, their armA dane
ing through the aisles of thek house.
Others stood upon their seats. waving |
hats. canes, handkerchiefs and papers. |
Premier Asquith's face relaxed as he
looked upon the tumultous scene before |
him and realized that the shouts Of the |
victors were really enthusiastic acknowl-
edgment Of his courage and skill.
Division On Party Ltnes. I
The division was taken strictly on
party lines, all the strength OF the gov
ernment coalition being mustered for this |
supreme test There were numerous in
cidents to show the fever heat Of the |
fight and the vigorous measures Of the
leaders.
Two members Of the Commons who
had just been sworn in cast their first
votes on the home rule bill One Ma
tionalist. O'Grady. who was seriously in |
jured some time ago. entered Commons
On crutches assisted by two friends. He
was cheered by his fellow Nationalists
when they saw the physical pain which
mis- sacrifice entailed.