Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1917-05-22
Lloyd George Announces-CaI
ing Of Conference Which
Will Embrace Every Shade
of Opinion in Island.
WORK BEHIND CLOSED
DOORS, IS PLAN NOW
Sir Edward Carson, on Behalf
of Ulster Sounds Note of
Defiance; Still Favors Union
With England.


London, May Il Ul:55 y. m.) For
destinies of ireland are to be placed
in the hands OF the lrishmen alone
The British prime minister, David
Lloyd George, announced to the house
of commons today that the govern
ment will. call convention of irish
men to frame constitution for Ire
land. and IL 1rishmen are able to agree
upon any scheme for the administra-
tion OF their country, will attempt to
enact it into legislation without delay
All sections, parties creeds and fac
tons, with clergymen and laymen, as
well as politicians, and even revolu-
tionists of the Sim Fen society, will
be invited to get together.
Same Old Deadlock Likely.
If this final attempt succeeds a po-
litical miracle will have been accom-
plished. There is no great optimism
apparent respecting the success of the
plan, for Ulster stands where she has
always stood. Sir John Lonsdale,
whip of the Irish nationalists, pre-
dicted the same old deadlock, declar-
ing that Ulster would not be driven
into home rule parliament, and pre-
dieting that the nationalists will not
consent to the exclusion of six Ulster
counties.
But If the attempt fails, the failure
will deprive the ancient charge that
England is 'the oppressor" Of much
of ita foaea, ait Wis pointed cut that
Ireland can hardly he hailed before
the European conference as another
Poland, while America and the col
onies can no longer reproach Great
Britain with having neglected to set
her house in order.
Up to Ireland Entirely.
Both houses Of parliament discussed
Ireland today, with hardly q ripple of
the old animosties and feuds disturb
ing their harmony.
The patient must administer to
himself said Mr.. Lloyd George. and
a noteworthy feature of the discus
sion was an agreement that politicians
must play secondary part to the men
from other walks OF life.
The premier specified the national
list factions of which John Redmond
and William O'Brien are the leaders,
the Ulster unionists, the southern
unionists and the Sim Feiners as the
political bodies which should be rep
resented in the convention but said
that the government considered II
most important that representatives
of local governing bodies. the
trades unions and CONNER
cial educational interests should par
ticipate.
Mr. Redmond agreed in this policy
and the veteran home ruler even of
fered to obliterate himself in the in
terests of harmony. But the house
vefused to accept his offer.
No Turning Back Now.
Even LORD Lansdowne, who has
been charged by some with the
wreckage of Lloyd Georges previous
work of reconciliation, told the lords
that the road to home rule had been
travelled too far for turning back, and
referred to the Importance OF facili-
tating the task of those who are our
friends in America"
For the position of chairman of the
convention a colonial might WELD
strong influence for harmony, and
Baron Shaughnessy, president of the
Pacific Railroad company
who was born in the United States, of
Irish parents, is mentioned, as also
are ex-Premier Asquith and Lord
Donoughmore, who have special tai
ents for position requiring large par.
liamentary experience and much di-
plomacy.
1t is expected that the selections
for the membership Of the conven-
tion will be made within a week.
The sessions will be behind closed
doors, for which the premier cited as
precedents the framing of the con
stitutions of the United States, Can
ada and the Union of South Africa.
But the exclusion of reporters will
draw the curtain before the most re-
markable political drama in Irish an
mails.
Must Reach Agreement.
"1f substantial agreement is
reached regarding the character and
scope of the constitution framed by
the convention said the premier.
"the government will take the neces-
sary steps to enable the imperial par
lament to give legislative effect
therein. The convention will be held
with closed doors"
Sir Edward Carson, leader Of the
Irish unionists said he did not hes
itate to assert he found no reason to
modify the opinion he had always held
that the best solution of the Irish
problem lay in maintenance of the