SLENDEREST HOPES

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 2211, 25 July 1914, Page 5

SLENDEREST HOPES

FOR SUCCESS

POSITION IS SO CRITICAL

IF CIVIL WAR

" IN GOD'S NAME LET IT COME "

By Telegraph—Prees Aesooi&tion— Oopyxielit (Rec. July 24, 9.35 p.m.) London, July 24. There are only the slenderest hopes of the success of the .conference; The King gave audience to Mr. Asquith. •. After yesterday's sitting it was expected that a deoisivo statement would be issued to-day. It is understood that the Conference declined to. accept the Speaker's suggestion to exclude Tyrone for two years, and afterwards to take a ballot for or against exclusion.

VOLUNTEER AID ASSOCIATION IN DUBLIN. London, July 24. A Volunteers' Aid Association has been inaugurated by the Lord Mayor of Dublin, who said tho people recognised the possibility of the failure of Homo Rule owing to the arrogance of Ulster. 'If we must have civil war, ill God's name, let it come!"

GOVERNMENT CONTENT TO DRIFT. .

London, July 24. Writing .to the Woolston Branch.of. tbo Women Unionist Association of Hampshire, Sir Edward Carson said the position is so critical that any day may see a catastrophe. The Government is apparently content to drift until civil war Breaks out. ,

SIR HORACE PLUNKET'S APPEAL,

London, Jufy 24. Sir Horace Plunkot, in a; pamphlet, nppeals to:.Ulster to give Home Ilulo a chance, Hβ can say with absbluto certainty that if Ulster throws in her lot with Ireland she will find herself received with generous enthusiasm, which will last, because founded in respect.

MR. ASQUITH SHARPLY CRITICISED. . ' .:■■ London, July 24. The "Daily Chronicle" says Mr. Asquith was perfectly aware of the reason why the inexcusable words ■ (civil war) were published; it was not because they were innocent, ', but because he was careless. This sort of leadership was inadequate, and is not' the first time Ministerial carelessness liasallowed an inexcusable phrase to appear. Mr. Asquith's own presence at tho War Office might remind him of that.. '.'■■,. ■'.■■.':' ; \ WAR OFFICE 1 ORDER.' ; London, July 24. . The War Office has issued an order prohibiting soldiers associating with the Ulster and Nationalist Volunteers. IRISH GUARDS REPRIMANDED. London, July 24. The Irish Guards were, paraded at , Wellington Barracks, and Colonel Mor--ris|,,addressing tho men, stated lib was ■sorry that soldiers in uniform should give way to political demonstration.

CONFERENCE ADJOURNED. ~ , London, July 23. The conference of. political " party leaders on the Homo Rule question has been adjourned until to-morrow. RENEWED HOPE OF SUCCESP ' : -7 : ■■■-■.' London, July ■ The conference held a lengthy sitting, and there are renewed hopes of a successful termination to its deliberations. MR. KEIR HARDIE AND THE • /;,. ■-■. king; •. ;'■■■•■■ ■ ■; ■ London, July 23. Mr.Keir idardie (Labour) has made a violent attack on tho King in the newspaper "Labour Leader," for associating himself with reactionary Peers and rebellious Ulstermen.

THE WORDS'"CIVIL WAR." London/ July. 23. The sentence in the King's speech to the delegates to the conference jrn the Irish question, in which' His Mnjcsty made mention of civil war, was referred to to-day in the House of Commons. ■.'■.'' Replying to Sir H. Dalziell (Liberal), Mr. Asquith said: "The sentence in the speech was never intended to convey more than was obviously apprehensions of civil strife had been widely; entertained and expressed by responsible, sober-minded persons, amongst whom. I may perhaps includo myself." ■. I ■ DEFENCE OF THE KING'S ACTION. "Times" and Sydney "Sun" Services. , (Rec. July 24, 5.15 p.m.) London, July 23. "The Times," in a loader,' says tho King has iuade it plain that commouserisc is an entirely accurate statement, and that there is no partisan spirit. This is a simple definition, of an extremely manifest fact. "Tho Times" trusts that there will be no reprehensible criticism of tho Sovereign,' who has done manfully, and is anxiously trying to do tho duties devolving on him as the ruler not only of.these Islands, but also of a world-wide Empire, which has watched with anxiety his attitude at this moment of extremo crisis. . ,

MR. ASQUITH RECEIVES AN OVATION,. "Times" andySydnoy "Sun" Services. (Bee. July 24, 5.15 p.m.) • ■ '. \ Lontlon, July 23. : Crowds gathered at Buckingham Paiace to watch tho arrival and departure of members of the Conference, who wero greeted with a mixturo of 'groans and cheers. Mr. Asquith was accompanied by his daughter, and was enthusiastically received.- The police wero compelled to forco a passage for the motor-ear through a cheering crowd. . •