Evening star., 1914-02-10
SEES CIVIL WAR
OVER HOME RULE
Unionist Leader Challenges
Premier to Submit Issue to
the People.
DEBATES THE QUESTION
IN BRITISH PARLI LAMENT
King George Refers TO Gravity Of
Situation in Speech From
the Throne.

LONDON. February io.-Iae rea! work
OF "hat promises to be the most monaen-
tous session OF parliament ii recent times
began with the assembly of the house or
commons today after brief luncheon ul-
tervaI. The house was denseiy crowded
and excitement ran high. There wa ~Iis
cheering by the respective. partisans "a
new members elected during th.. recess
Wee introduced.
Much OF the customary perfume tory
procedur. Was o:.itted and little interest
was manifested in tn. formal speeches
of III. mover and secondor of the address
IN reply 10 the speech from the throne
Demands Vote of People.
Walter Long. formerly unionist .he.
secretary for ireland than spranS TO h
feet. and on behalf of the unionists threw
down challenge to Premier Ascuith "a.
submit hon. rule to a vote of the coun-
try.
The plea made by the king in his
speech TO heal dssension found litti.
echo i'll Ny. Longs advocacy of the cas-
for the unionists of Ulster. lie asked ths
mouse OF commons squaIely to face tn.
fact that f"r the first time in centuries
Il
civil nar- The attitude of the unionists.
he said. was the same as it had been
since 1856. In no circumstances would
they stultity themselves by acceptinr
a measure to which they We're root anu
branch opposed.
There We're said lIr Long 100000 men
training in lister and prepared to sacr
lice their lives in resisting this honlr
rule bill. and the first fruits of the
parliament act the government. ii it
4. r.:yr
have to do it by the use of Britis., bullets
and bayonets.
Mr. Long ridiculed the talk OF the
prernacy which the imperial parliament
would have over the Irish Legislative
body. Turning to the ministerial bench
iie taunted the members of the govern
ment Ior what he termed their pusila-
nimity with regard to the recent events
in the union of South Africa.
With all your boasted supremacS."
said You dare not take amy action that
would bring you into conflict with the
government of South Africa"
Then Mr.. Long raped out the unionst
! took a step fraught with such conse-
auences ii should consult the country
and he concluded his remarks BY moving
an amendment to the effect that i'll the
opinion of the house it would be disas-
trous for the house to proceed further
with the government for ireland bill un-
Ill the measure had been submitted to
the Judgment of the country.
AS Mr. Long resumed his seat Premier
Asquith and addressed the house
Premier Asauith early in his speech
promised that the government would take
the initiative in putting forward sug-
sestioas for settlement by agreement OF
the Irish difficulty.
Topics Discussed by King George.
io.af. fta.
safety OF life at sea and home rule fo,
Ireland stood out in bold relief i'm kin.s
Georges speech from the throne at
the opening of parliament today. The
address for the most part was "A color
less recital of events already recorded
which had developed since the closing
of the previous session.
Referring to the conference on safety
OF life at sea, his majesty said:
1t gives me great qualification that
the international conference on safety
Of life at sea. which recently met IN
London at the invitation of my gov
ernment. has resulted in the signature
of an important convention. which
WILL I trust, do much for the pfotee
tion of life. especially on ocean going
passenger steamers. 4 bill to enable
me TO fulfill the obligations of the
convention will be laid before you.
Recognizes Gravity of Situation.
In regard to home rule for ireland,
hici for til. moment is tho subject
or paramount national and imperial
Importance. the king by the emphasis
Of his words and his manner Indicated
his personal realization Of the gravity
Of the situation. He said:
Il regret that the efforts which have
been made 10 arrive At !: solution by
with the government OF ireland have
50 far not succeeded. In matter in
which -. hopes and fears of so many
of my subjects are keenly concerned
and which. unless handled now with
foresight and judgment and In a spirit
OF mutual concession, threatens grave
future difficulties, il is my mos; ear
nest wish that the good will and CO.
operation of men Of all parties and
creeds may heal the dissension ana lay
the foundations of a lasting settle
ment.
Tho king referred To his forthcoming
visit Ia France affordine AN or
portunity of testifying to the cordial
relations between the two countries
Domestic Legislation Promised.
Besldes the renewed submission to
parliament OF the home rule for ire
land and the Welsh church disestab
lishmant bills. the domestic Legislation
promised in the kings speech includes
proposals for the reconstruction Of the
second chamber. a bill providing for
imperial naturalization and measures
dealing with the housing of the poor
and education.
King George formally opened the
fourth session Of the present British
parlia rient--si session that promises to
b.. a history NAL king one owing TO the
important constitutional questions 10
be decided.
Queen Mary and the king both wore
their crowns and brilliant royal robes
drawn by eight Hanoverian cream-col-
ored horses from the Buckingham Pa
through the Mall. over the horse
guards parade grounds and then al.SS
Whitehall to the kings entrance to
the house of lords Great crowds
sembled along the route to witness the
procession The weather was ideal In
the house OF lords the scene was
picturesque one. their maJesties.
surrounded by other members OF the
royal family and by peers and peer
esses in their state robes. aScended the
throne The king immediately read hie
speech outlining the government
program for the session
Only "A few privileged strangers we.e
admitted to the house. These included
members of the house OF commons most
Of the foreign diplomatic corps and rep