New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-02-11

TO submit Home Rule TO a vote OF the
country. The plea made by the King
in his speech ito heal dissension' found
little echo In Mr Longs advocacy OF the
Ulster Unionist cause.
As Mr.. Long resumed his seat Premier
Asouith arose and addressed the House.
He began by promising that the govern
ment would take the initiative I'm putting
forward suggestions for a settlement by
agreement of the Irish difficulty, saving
ar this matter is 20 be settled-and
none desires 50 more than by some
! thing u the nature Of general agree
mont. 10 can better be settled here and
now than &v p general election"
Reviewing the course ~ the bin up 10
the present Premier Asau.th pointed oEt
that il had been twice passed with sus-
tanned majorities 10y the House Of Com
mons and would automatically become
F law this wear re argued that the votes
Al the bve-electlons held since August last
had shown increased approval OF the GOV
ernments POLICY
Dissolution Would be Futile.
The Prime Minister held the suggestion
Of a dissolution Of Parliament to he fuule.
lie said 10 would simply lead to con
dtion OF deadlock. II tho Uuicnists won
they would be confronted with the prob
lem % governing four-hfths OF ireland
disappointed on the eve Of the fruition OF
long cherished hopes n the Liberals
were returned would Ulster lay down its
arms
Mr.. Asquth expressed deep regret that
the conversations between Andrew Boner
Law. the leader OF the opposition. and
himself had not resulted in an agreement
but he said ne did no, despair lie
thought the language or the King 5
speech from the throne would find an
echo in every quarter Of the House. and
then continued
Speaking for myself and for my col
leagues, ! will use no asst word in this
matter. Settlement schemes and sus-
gestions Of settlement. are in the air
The exclusion of Ulster has been sug-
eest-d. I am no: going TO pronounce
any final Judgment on this or any other
solution"
Mir. Asaui.h said the government
coulc not divest itself Of the response
bIity fer initiating suggestions, but
Whatever steps il took must not be
construed as an admission that the
Home Rule bill was Ineffective. There
was nothing the government would not
DO consistent with the Fundamental
princip pies Of the bill to avoid civil war
and bloodshed. Without delay the
government, said Mr.. Asquith, would
submit to the House Of Commons sus-
oestions which would be put forward
honestly in the hope Of overcoming all
objections.
He would welcome. he said. the scheme
proposed b. Sir Horace Plunkett for
. ebiscite. 70 he taken after a certain
number Of years. whether any section Of
Ulster desired TO continue subject 10 the
Irish Parliament but he did not expect it
would be acceptable 10 the opponents OF
Home Rule. The Premier proceeded:
by peace do not mean the avoidance
Of civil strife 1 mean tina, if II is pos
sible the new system Of Irish government
will start under such conditions and In
such an atmosphere as 10 give II every
fair chance Of working successfully
Agreeing that the matter should not be
urduiy delayed and repudiating the sug-
gestions that the government was trihing
with the matter and seeking 10 gain time,
Mr AsQuth said:
The government believes IL 10 be It's
duty-and II is a duty IL will endeavor TO
rerfornl-to put forward suggestions
which II believes Will be regarded by all
fair-minded men as At any rate an at
tempt 10 arrive al such an agreement as
will consult not only the interests, but
the suspectibilties % all concerned.
LAS far as and my colleagues are con-
cerned We will not close any avenue. how
ever unp-omisng the entrance thereto
may appear. which directly or indirectly
holds out any hone CT leading 10 concord
and settlement"
The House Of Commons afforded no
dramatic scene, but only an adroit speech
from very anxious Prime Minister des-
perately anxious 10 damp down the hres
Of controversy. M Asquith. though ad-
hitting that the responsibility Of the
Initiative rests upon the shoulders or the
government. indicated that the financial
business Of the nation must be dealt
with before any progress can he made
His reference TO possible plebiscite on
Ulster was regarded as greater con-
cession than had been expected.
Many Liberals and Nationalists no"
think that Premier Asquith is prepared
10 abate considerably the attitude OF the
government toward Ulster. So much
was this the case that some of the fol-
lowers Of Mr.. Redmond proposed 20 hold
a meeting 10 consider the general erect
OF the Prime Minister'S pronouncement.
but this movement was quietly subdued
bv the leader end the whip Of the Irish
party.
Until Mr. Bonar Law speaks to-day II
will he difficult 10 say what approach
has been made toward peace. but at any
rate the whole field OF examination ana
of possible compromise has been thrown
open by the head Of the government IL
scarcely seems probable however ihat
Mr. Asouith's concessions VIII SausiA
the Ulster Unionists, who are dehnitely
pledged by their covenant against SUD
hitting 10 the domination OF Dubilh
Parliament.
STORk HALTS LAW
IN DIUIT7Ep CASE