Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1916-07-25
IRISH QUESTION
CAUSES CRISIS IN
ENGLISH CABINET
Refusal to Introduce Home
Rule Bill Until Irish Agree,
Started Il
LONDON NEWSPAPERS
TAKE GLOOMY VIEW OF IT
Sympathy Of America Is
Lost, Dominion Sentiment
Against Us"

London, July 25.-The coalition cab
met was endangered today by the Irish
question. David Lloyd George, minister
of war and originator of the compro-
mise plan for settlement of the Irish
question problem, was quoted as having
offered to resign in view of the fail
ure of the cabinet to acquiesce in his
proposals to the Ifish nationalists.
Premier Asquith was understood to
be ready also to step down if Lloyd
George retired. Threat to submit the
question to vote of the people in a
general election was freely made dur
ing the commans debate.
The only hope of averting such a
break lay in the chance that the Irish
nationalists would consent. to further
negotiations. With John Redmond, the
party 3 leader and his followers hurting
charges Of breach of faith at the minis
try, it was admitted this hope was
faint one. Some London newspapers
today expressed the belief, however.
that if the break came and a general
election were called, it would result in
support of the cabient's course. the ma.
tionalists having lost confidence OF
many Irishmen through their willing
ness to treatin compromise plan. Such
a victory for the cabinet, would, how
ever, it was pointed out, still leave the
Irish question suspended.
Redmond Threatens.
The situation today was that the cab
met confessed its purpose not to intro.
duce home rule amending bill until
there was a complete agreement among
all the Irish parties and appealed to the
nationalists to endeavor to obtain such
an agreement. Retention in parliament
of the nationalists representation in un'
diminished numbers was the main point
which prevented agreement in the cab
met ON the bill and among the various
Irish parties.
One other point which gave anxiety
was the open threat voiced by John
Redmond in the Commons debate that
the Irish members held themselves free
to exercise their individual judgment
in criticising the governments course
not only in domestic affairs, but in th'
conduct of the war. 1t was admitted
that if the Irish deliberately seek, a;
this threat indicates, to air British con
duct Of the war on the floor, they may
seriously embarras British success in
the present great offensive.
Makes Leaders Uneasy.
Evidencing the crucial nature of the
situation. Premier Asquith today con
ferred with A. J. Balfour, first lord OF
the admiralty, conservative leader Bo
mar Law, minister of war Lloyd George
and Austen Chamberlain, secretary Of
state for India, and later had confer
ened with the king.
London newspaper editorials took Q
| gloomy view of the crisis.
"It is humiliating to us in the face
of our friends and our foes at a time
when we claim to be fighting the bat
tie of the small nationality, the Daily
News declared. "It means that the
sympathy of America is lost to us, and
that the whole sentiment of the domin
ions is against u.s."
| "Now we have the old stone tied
once more round our neck in heavier
and more dangerous shape than ever,
said the Daily Telegraph. We shall be
fortunate if it does not hamper ouI
progress at every step through the deer
waters which have yet to be traversed.'