Evening star., 1917-05-21
TO SUMMON CONVENTION
IN INTEREST OF IRELAND
British Premier Says Government
Will Convene Representative Body
to Frame Constitution.

LONDON. May 21, 4:10 p.m.-It was
announced by Premier Lloyd George in
the house of commons today that the
government proposed to summon imme-
diately a convention of representative
British parliament constitution for the
future government of Ireland.
Premier Lloyd George stated that the
chairman of the proposed Irish conven-
ton will be nominated by the crown;
'If substantial agreement Is reached
regarding the character and scope of the
ssIidr the premier, Tho government will
take the necessary steps TO enable the
imperial parliament to give legislative ef-
feet thereto. The convention will be
held with closed DOORS.
Will Be Representative Body.
The convention. said the premier. would
be representative of the local governing
bodies, the churches, the trade unions
and commercial and educational interests.
and would include Sim Feiners: The
delegates would be chosen by the re-
spective bodies. John Redmond, the ma
tionalist leader, speaking after the pre-
mier had made his announcement, salu
that for she first time in her history Ire
Iand ass been asked virtually to settle a
problem for herself.
Il take it for granted" he added,
that all sections Of Irishmen feel it
their duty to come in.
Novel" idea, He Says.
Four unsuccessful attempts. said Mr..
Redmond, mad been made by three sue
cessive governments to reach settle
ment, but the present proposal was en-
tirely novel. Ireland was being asked
herself to draft constitution for her
country. That proposal carried with it
the implied obligation that Great Brit
ain would be only too glad to accept
the decisions arrived at.
Although he was aware of the diff
culties that were in the way. continued
the Irish leader, he took it for granted
that all sections of Irishmen would. on
consideration, feel it their duty to come
in and meet their fellow countrymen.
Irish Unionists' View.
Sir John Lonsdale, secretary and whip
of the Irish Unionist party, said. in ad-
dressing the house, that the Ulster party
would submit the entire proposal to the
people of Ulster and recommend its care
full consideration. He and his colleagues.
he declared, would not take the RESPONSE
bility for closing the doors upon the ex-
pertinent.
would be guided by the same patriotic
motive which had always guided them,
although he could not feel sanguine
that the convention would accomplish
II have the sure hope" Mr.. Redmond
continued, that the result of the con-
vention will be blessed one for Ire
land and the empire. With all my
animated by the true spirit of concilia-
ton among Irishmen."
Mr. Redmond said they must not
shrink from a compromise, and If they
could obtain a substantial agreement
it would be worth all the heartburn
ings and postponements of the last
thirty or forty years.
Statement by Mr.. Lloyd George.
Immediately after question time Mr.
Lloyd George arose to make his state
ment The house was crowded with
members, while the Duke of Connaught
and many peers, including Lord Stam-
fordham and Lord mcdonnell, occu-
pied seats in the gallery. Mr.. Lloyd
George said one thing had tended to
cause the failure Of efforts to arrive at
a settlement-that the proposals had
emauated from n British government.
The present government. therefore, had
decided to invite Irishmen themselves
to forward their proposals.
Hitherto Great Britain had undertaken
all the construction and Ireland all the
criticism. Once lrishmen were confronted
with the problem they would give due
weight to the obstacles and difficulties
The government proposed Ireland should
try her own hand at framing a plan. This
method, he said. had succeeded in Can
ada. Australia and South Africa. and he
could not help thinking that what had
been accomplished there could be achieved
in Ireland.
There was a rumor in the lobby that
the Duke OF Connaught might be chosen
chairman of the convention
Declaration of the Sim Fein.
DUBLIN. May 81. 1:25 ANA meet
ing Of members Of the Sim Fein, pre-
sided over by Count Plunkett. was
government's proposals for a settle
Statement was issued after the meet
ing. saying in effect that the govern
small section of this Irish in its refusal
to abide by the decision of the ma
jority, thereby precluding the possi-
bility of reaching settlement through
the suggested convention.
The failure Of the convention thus