Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-03-08
HOME rule ISSUE
BACK IN POSITION
Of UNCERTAINTY
Ulster Ultimatum Crushes
All Hopes for Speedy
Settlement.
LLOYD GEORGE DEFINES
GOVERNMENTS POLICY
Offers Self Government to Peo-
pie Wanting 1t, but Against Co.
ercion to Compel Acceptance.
BITTER SESSION or HOUSE
Action OF Nationalists Forces Pre-.
mier Into His First Embar-
rassing Situation.
LLOYD GEORGE DEFINES
GOVERNMENTS POLICY
BITTER SESSION or HOUSE
Action OF Nationalists Forces Pre-
micr Into His First Embar-
raSsing Situation.
H. Associated pres.l

fBy Associated pres.J
LONDON. March 1.-The presentation
by tho Irish Nationalis,s in the House
or Commons this evening of a rcsolu-
ton calling for the immediate appli-
cation OF the homc-ruie statute TO Ire
land prccipitatcd one OF the most Bit
ter sessions in months and threw tho
homc-rule question back into its old
position OF uncertainty. The resolu-
ton forced the government into a dec
laration OF policy towards self govern
ncnt--namcly. that any part OF ireland
that wished home rule could have it,
but that coercion would be en-
j. ploycd TO compel Ulster TO accept. AT
the same time. the proposal drew from
the Obstetrics the ult:matum that they
would not accept. which. coupled with
the governments announcement cf-
fcctually crushed all hopes for a speedy
settlement
The Nationalists tonight. headed by
their leader. John Redmond. we're in
conference, having withdrawn in a
body from tho House of Commons. aud
Lloyd George was facing his irs, en-
barrassing situation since he assumed
the premiership.
For more than an hour before the
Nationalists lcf, the house the Premier
had faced whirlwiud Of angry cen
sure faom the Nationalist quarter
which AT times forced him TO take his
scat because he could not make him
self heard llc was called a turn
coat Oh the homc-rulc question. aud
one Nationalist exclaimed. "HanGman
Carson. lie is only 1T TO be a hang
man. not First Lord or the Admiralty"
Tho Nationalist resolution was intro
? duccd by 7. l.. oConnor. who asserted
&that the manner IN which the govern
men; had handled the Irish rebellion
had transformed friendly people iuto
one nllod with bitter hatred against
England. lie pleaded that home rule
should be put into operation immcdi-
atcly for the sake OF ireland and in.
the Interests OF England. the empire
and tho allies.
TRIHUTI: TO PRESIDENT
or UNITED STATES
81 ono point in his address he paid
tribute - the President OF tho United
states. saying that President Wilson,
in his recent speeches and notes. had
shown that tho United states govern
mcnt recognized tho right OF small ma
lie called attention 10 the valiant
service rendered BY the Irish troops
at the front. and asserted that they
had enlisted with the understanding
that home rule WAS 10 he applied 10
their country. In conclusion. he lid
there were only two ways Of remedy
settlement or coercion lie favored
fcttlemcnt.
Mr.. O'Cnnnor WAS followed by Will
liam y. Redmond. who made an impas-
stoned plea for compromise between
the Nati"nalists and Cnionsts, and sat
down amid tho applause of the house.
Thus far things had been running
smoothly, but Lord Lonsdalc, speaking
for the Unionists. threw n wrench into
the machinery by declaring that Ulster
wanted nothing to do with homo rule
OF this sort and sarca s,ically rcn,arkc cd
that his section Of Ireland had fur
nishcd troops and money from pure
patriotism aud without hope of gain
for themselves
Premier Lloyd George followed with
tho pronouncemcn; of tho government
and, after stating that any part Of
ireland that wanted home rule could
have 1t. suggested two alternatives
FOR the settlement of the differences
between the Irish factions. One was
"a conference of Irishmcn. and the
other was tho setting up OF = COM
mission Of inquiry TO report 10 the
government and Parliament.
CONTINUALLY INTERRUPTED
ny NATIoNALIsTS
Lloyd George was continually inter
rupted and. as he proceeded. was
greeted with angry jcers from the Ma
tionalsts. who accused him of desert
Ing home rule. In conclusion he Of
fcred an amendment to the Nationalist
resolution to tho effect that That
this house would welcome any settle
ment which would produce better
understanding between Ireland and the
rest OF the United Kingdom. but con-
sders II impossible to impose by force
on any section of ireland a form Of
government which has not their con-
sent
AS tho Premier sat down, EN-Prc-
nicr Asquith rose and made q concilin-
tory speech, suggesting that the min
listers OF the dominions who are in
England should lie called In to act as
mediatora, and report to Parliament.
John Redmond, the Nationalist lead
or. Immediately took the floor and de-
clarcd in no uncertain terms that he
would have nothing 10 do with fur
ther negotiations HeVand his follow
ors. he said, had been fooled once be-
fore. After a brief speech he with
drew from the house with his adhcr-
cnts. and the Nationalists went into
conference. The only result OF this
meeting made known was that the
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