At the Palace.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXIX, Issue 76, 21 July 1914, Page 5

At the Palace.

THE KING'S CONFERENCE. HOME RULE FOR IRELAND. AND WHAT OF ULSTER? [By Electric Telegraph—Copyright] [United Press Association.] London, July 20. The King has invited the Government, Opposition, Nationalists and Irish Unionists to a conference at Buckingham Palace to-morrow, each to liava two representatives. Messrs Asquith and Lloyd George, Lord Lansdowne and Mr Bonar Law, Messrs lledmond and Dillon, and Sir Edward Carson and Capt. Craig have been selected. The King's invitation to party leaders—on the Premier's advice, although the idea probably originated with his Majesty himself—explains the King's delay in the departure for Portsmouth, and is the outcome of feverish activity in Ministerial circles in the last few days. Newspapers describe the conference as affecting a complete change in the immediate situation. The Opposition was not consulted beforehand, but the Unionist and Ulster leaders instantly responded to the Royal summons, and declare their resolve to do their utmost to make the conference a success. Mr Dillon was chosen as Mr Redmond's companion, because he represents the older generation of Home Rulers. PRESS COMMENT. The Daily News was apparently unaware of the King's invitation, and stated that the Liberals would require stronger evidence than the King's delayed journey to Portsmouth before they would believe that he was disposed to exceed his constitutional functions. If such a thing were conceivable, a new situation would no doubt. arise, completely blotting out the Irish question. The Daily Citizen' says that Cabinet's secret is closely kept. None outside the charmed circle knows the exact purport, but Mr Asquith's statement to-day reveals an unexpected and dramatic development. Weekend events have been full of significance, including the pourparlers between the party leaders, the Nationalists' mercurial spirits varying from gloom to assurance, and the Premier's constant attendance on the King. Things have been rapidly moving behind the scenes. The Times acclaims the initiation of the conference as a wise, proper, and statesmanlike step, which is more likely to'extricate the country from imminent peril than any other course.. It is the application of a principle often happily brought into play to terminate a deadlock in industrial disputes, the intervention of a superior, independent authority being sought in order to amicably bring the parties together, and by free discussion come to an understanding. In the case of the great political parties and a dangerous deadlock like the present, no one but the Sovereign could play that part. He alone stands in a position of superior authority, prestige and absolute impartiality. This event is calculated to strengthen the constitutional monarch to the benefit of the nation.

The Morning Post says the crisis has taken a new and immensely significant turn. The hope will be general that his Majesty's influence will suffice to achieve the truly national ends in favor of which that influence is to be exerted. The writer, however, concludes by warning the leaders against. excessive optimism regarding the outcomo of the conference.

The Daily Mail says that all parties at the conference will be expected to surrender something. The time limit in the Amending Bill is already dead, inasmuch as it has been tacitly abandoned even by the Liberals. The area limit presents greater difficulties. Any proposal to divide Tyrone, or to include it in the Homo Rule area, will arouse a storm beyond Sir Edward Carson's power to allay.

THE NEAREST DEADLOCK. London, July 20. The nearest parallel to the King's action was the late Queen Victoria's during the franchise crisis in 188!, suggesting an end-of-August conference of the leaders of parties in both Houses. This terminated the deadlock by November 27. The [ate King Edward's summoning of Lord Lansdowne and Mr Balfour during the Budget controversy of 1909 was after the leading politicians on both sides had visited his Majesty. Mr Asquith's and Mr BonSr Law's interviews towards the end of last week were almost wholly restricted to details of various proposals concerning area exclusion. Nothing was then said about a conference at the Palace. The Premier and Mr Lloyd George have now relinquished all other work to concentrate on a settlement. AN UNEASY FEELING. NO ABROGATION OF MINISTERIAL RESPONSIBILITY. (Received .11.30 a.m.) London, July 20. Laborites bitterly condemn'the Palace Conference. Many Liberals are very critical, fearing that it will be made a precedent. They expect the conference to fail, the Amending Bill

to 1)0 withdrawn.and au appeal to the

constituencies made in October,,. , w In the'House of Lords, replying to Lord Courtney, Earl Crewe affirmed that the conference was no abrogation of Ministerial responsibility, and thero was no intention to supersede Parliamentary authority. IRISH TRADE UNIONISM. London, July 20. The National Executive of the Irish Trade Union Congress at Dublin protested against the exclusion of Ulster, and summoned the workers of Ulster to resist the provisional .Government, if established. THE ROYAL CONVENTION. INTEREST IN THE COMMONS. (Received 11.15 a.m.) London, July 20. The House of Commons was crowded. Mr Asquith said he was authorised by the King to state that in view of the grave situation he thought it right to summon representatives of all parties to a conference at the Palace, with the object of discussing outstanding questions relating to the Government of Ireland. The eight representatives as previously cabled have accepted, and the Speaker presides. Proceedings begin to-morrow. Mr Bonar Law intimated that he loyally accepted the invitation. Mr Redmond said: "My colleagues and myself take no responsibility for calling this convention, and do not think we aro called upon to express an opinion whether the result will be useful or the contrary. The invitations were accepted as a Royal command." There was a hubbub when Mr Ginnell asked Mr Asquith what precedent or authority he had for advising the King to place himself at the head of a. conspiracy to defeat the House of Commons' decision. Mr Asquith did not reply.

THE HOME RULE SHIP

Times and Sydney Sun Services London, July 20

Mr T. P. O'Connor, in an article in Reynolds' Newspaper, says: "We are in the mood of travellers after a long voyage. The Home Rule ship has arrived in harbor, and will soon be berthed. Restlessness is acute, and anxiety prevails. We must reject Sir Edward Carson's demand for all Ulster, even at the risk of facing Carson's rifles."

i HOW SIMPLE SOME PEOPLE I ARE! London, July 20. | Hostility to Ulster is not very prevalent in the south-west of Ireland, though it is thought exclusion will exasperate all classes. Simple people still regard the preparations in UM.er with a smile,-