Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1916-05-26
Leaders Of All Factions
Flock TO Standard Of As
quith in Effort to Set
lie Irish Question.

LONDON. May 25.-The House OF Com
mons has rarely seen a demonstration
of greater unity than was displayed
this afternoon when the leaders OF all
factions flocked TO the standard OF the
Prime Minister in an effort to achieve
a lasting settlement Of the Irish Ques-
ton.
This was the more remarkable be-
cause heated and acrimonious de
bate, il had been predicted, would fol-
low Premier AsQuith's expected state
ment regarding the situation and the
governments proposals for Il solutios
of the problem. Mr.. Asquith's speech
took an unexpected turn, for instead
of giving details. he made an earnest
plea for the settlement of the Irish
question By agreement among the con-
tending parties i'll Ireland and an
nounced that David Lloyd George had
undertaken the delicate task OF bring
ing the hostile factions together.
The Premier concluded with an an
peal that for time all debate on the
question. both in the House of Com
mons and outside. be suspended, in view
Of the adverse effect such argument
might have on the difficult undertaking.
facing the government.
The Prerlier's speech was heard with
intense interest by the members and
he had scarcely summed up when John
Redmond. the Nationalist leader. arose
and acquiesced in the Premier's re-
quest adding, with "A voice filled with
emotion. his ardent desire for Il solu-
tion of the difficulties Of his country.
Mr. Redmond was quickly followed
by his political archencmy, Sir Ed
ward Carson, who rendered his sup
port to the proposition, and by the
independent Irish leader, William
o'Brien, who did likewise.
SPEECHES EFFECTIVELY
OHLITERATE PARTY LINES
These speeches effectively oblitera,ed
party lines for the moment, and those
attack the government fell in with the
leaders.
The Prime Minister started by oA-
pressing the hope that the disappear
ance Of martial law would be speedy
and complete.
Referring to tie sacrifices that Irish
men had made on behalf of the British
empire during the present war Mr
Asquith said:
Gould We who represent Great
Britain. or courd they who represent
ireland tolerate the prospect that when
this war was over and when we had.
by our joint efforts and sacrifices, as
we had hoped and believed we should,
achieved our end, that here Al home
lrishmen should be arrayed against one
another in the most tragic and most
debasing of all conficts--internecine
domestic strife?
Il say to the House of Commons. TO
the country and to the empire. that
the thought is inconccivable. 1t can
never be, for it would mean confess
sion OF bankruptcy, not only Of states
manship, but OF patriotism
Referring to the home rule bill. Mr..
Asquith said:
No one, so far as 1 know, has ever
desired or contemplated its coercive
application by one set Of Irishmen
against another. What is now in this
great and domestic emergency OF para
mount Importance is. that ii IL be pos
sible-and hope it is possibie---an
agreement such as we thought in vain
before the war should be arrived at
between those representing the diff
ferent interests and parties In Ire
land.
II believe. as have already said,,