The Irish standard., 1914-08-15
Notes on the Campaign.
(Supplied by the Irish Press Agency
The Kings Conference.

The Kings Conference.
The political world was startled
by the announcement in the Times
on Monday last that the King had
issued invitations to the chief party
leaders to attend a Conference at
Buckingham Palace, with view to
an agreement on the ulster" ques-
ton. The fact was known in other
newspaper Offices on Sunday night.
but they had regard for the obliga-
ton of secrecy under which it was
communicated. The Harmsworth
organs, however, true to their ira
ditions, were burdened by no such
scruple, and the Times" and the
Daily Mail" are entitled to what
ever credit is due to journalistic
scoop" achieved under such cir
cumstances. The Premier, on the
following day, disclaimed all respon-
sibility on the part of his colleagues
and himself, for the premature pub
LEGATION Of the news. And so, the re-
sponsibility for it may be left to
Lord Northcliffe and the Tories to
settle between them. But it was a
characteristic piece of Harmsworth
audacity for the Times. which
violated the Kings confidence on
Monday. to come out on Thursday
to defend the King against 1.-The at
tacks of the radical press" Appar-
emily, there is no limit to the con-
tempt of the Harmsworth Press for
the imbecility and the gullibility Of
its supporters.
Irish Party's Position.
Mr.. John Redmond. M. p, for the
Irish Party. made clear the position
of the Party in regard to the Con-
ference. after the Premier's an
nouncement on Monday that "he
was authorized by the King to an
nounce to the House that, in view Of
the grave situation which had arisen
he (the King had thought it right
to summon representatives of par
ties, both British and Irish, to a
Conference at Buckingham Palace.
with the object of discussing out
standing questions relating to the
problem of Irish government. !"
There is the plain statement of the
Premier, made on the authority of
the King, as to (1) who called the
Conference, (2) who were to COM
pose it. and 49, what was it's OBJ
ject. If the pundits of the Tory
Press had only read Mr.. Asquith's
statement, it would have saved thine
lot of useless speculation as to
how the Conference originated. and
what it's object was. Mr.. Redmond's
reception, on rising to speak, was
the occasion of an extraordinary de-
monstration of sympathy and con-
fidence on the part of the Liberal
and Labour members. He was
cheered again and again.. and not
since John Wards famous speech on
the Army has such scene been wit
nesses in Parliament. Mr.. Red
mond's words were brief, but clear
and comprehensive. He said:
perhaps l may be allowed to say
one word? My colleagues and I
have no responsibility for the policy
of calling this convention. I do not
think am called upon to express any
opinion as to whether, in the result,
it will prove useful or the contrary.
The invitation to attend the confer
ence came to- my honorable friend
Mr.. Dillon, and myself, in the form OF
command from the King, and we
of course, accepted it."
1t is of the first Importance that the
Irish people should make a careful
note of every word of this historic
declaration.
The Conference.
The conference met on Tuesday
Wednesday, Thursday and Friday
The members Of it we're: The Prem
ier and Mr.. Lloyd George, represent
ing the Government; Lord Lans-
downc and Mr.. Bonar Law, repre-
scnting the Official Opposition; Mr.
John Redmond and Mr.. John Dillon
representing the Irish Party; and Sir
E. Carson and Capt. Craig, represent
ing the Carsonites. The Speaker pre-
sided, at the request of the King. On
the first day of the conference, the
King delivered speech, the text OF
which was published on Wednesday,
and which contained the following
passages:
my Intervention at this moment
may be regarded as new departure
But the exceptional circumstances
under which you are brought togeth-
er justify my action.
"For months we have watched with
deep misgivings the course of events
in Ireland. The trend has been sure
ly and steadily towards an appeal to
force, and today the cry of civil war
e Ia