The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-03-07
Prince Arthur Of COnnaught to
Be the First Viceroy
II Home Rule Ever Is Estab.
lished In the Island.
DERBY PICKED rs DARK HORSE
In Premiership Race When
UniOnists Return to Power.
Horse Drawn Omnibuses Seen
No More in London.

L0rhon. March lit is almost defin-
itely decided that Prince Arthur Of Con-
naught is to be the first home rule
viceroy Of Ireland. There was some
talk Of his succeeding his father, the
Duke Of Connaught as governor general
OF Canada, but this will not now take
place, unless the Unionists are success
full in preventing the government from
establishing a parliament in Ireland.
Like all members of the Connaught
family. Prince Arthur is extremely
popular, and besides it is considered
that he would make an able and re-
eponsible viceroy. while his nearness
to the throne and his personal init
macy with the king would have a
capabilities In Ireland. 1t would be
difficult for Irish society to boycott a
viceregal court held by the first cousin
and the niece Of the sovereign, espec-
tally after the latter had visited Dub
lin in person to open the first Irish
parliament, which he will do II that
parliament is ever summoned.
There Is a little prospect, however.
of the home rule bill becoming law
early the coming summer, as National
lists and Liberals have often declared
would be the case. 1t is now predicted
that Ireland's fight for self-government
will not be over before next fall.
At best nothing can be done with
the home rule bill until April for
financial affairs will take up all Of
March, and now that Premier AsQuith
has promised to make liberal conces-
siOns to overcome the objections OF
Ulster it will probably take most of
the summer to reframe the Dill: NO
one Is seriously displeased at the delay.
for 1t is believed 1t will work to
better understanding. The government
will have time to consider thoroughly
it's proposed amendments and to de-
termine whether they will have the de-
sired effect of promoting peace.
The alterations involved in the
present bill would be enormous, and
some portions would have to be re-
drafted If any of the amendments are
adopted. The exclusion of Ulster would
require a complete modification Of the
financial clauses. and home rule within
home rule would be quite as complica-
ted.
Premier Asquith will be very sure of
his ground before placing any Of his
suggestions on paper but during the
next few weeks various suggestions will
be submitted to the Unionist leaders.
If no agreement results the govern
ment will simply introduce its modifi-
cations and let the house and public
gestions come before the house prog
ress will not be rapid. There are some
irreconsilables who will fight the bill
to the bitter end, while from other
quarters there will come very severe
criticism OF details. The irreconcil-
duce a scheme which will be satisfac-
tory to the majority Of Unionists and
Liberals but which will meet with the
disapproval of the Nationalists. Mr..
Asquith is not at all likely to do that.
He has staked the political fortunes
of himself and his party on the home
rule bill, and it is very well known
the desires Of his old chief. Gladstone.
and bring contentment to the majority
of Irishmen.
The procedure to be followed il very
clearly stated in the parliament act.
After the bill has been read a second
time the government will come forward
with their suggestions. and a long
series Of debates may be expected in
the commons. The Unionists will
doubtless oppose them, but it may be
inferred from what Lloyd George said
in the debate on the speech from the
throne that the government will per-
sist in them, and will send them to the
lords. 1t is then that the real fight
will begin, and it may be weeks before
the struggle is finally decided.
Lord Derby is being picked by many
observers as likely to prove a dark
horse in the contest for the premier
ship when the Unionists return to
power.
Those who most ardently supported
Bonar Law are now believing that his
leadership has proved a failure. He
is over 20 years Of age and he is a
Liberal-Unionist. a party association