KING'S CONFERENCE FAILS

Evening Post, Volume LXXXVIII, Issue 23, 27 July 1914, Page 6

KING'S CONFERENCE FAILS

The Times complains that the Empire is exposed to "the greatest danger known in the memory of living man' becauso "Mr. Redmond wants to get control of two counties in the North of Ireland, with a population of two hundred thousand." But why should the blame be put upon Mr. Redmond, and not upon Sir Edward Carson and his satellites? If it is a question of coveting these counties, Sir Edward is at

least as covetous as Mr. Redmond, and in a manner far less excusable. Assuming that the two counties referred to are Tyrone and Fermanagh, the Nationalist percentage in these areas, according to Mr. T. P. O'Connor, 1b 66; and, unless they can show that figure to be wrong, the argument of numbers is against the covenanters. Moreover, Mr. Asquith and Mr. Redmond do not demand Tyrone and Fermanagh from behind a row of illegal bayonets; they propose to let Tyrone and Fermanagh deqide for themselves by referendum. Ab Mr. Birrell points out, under the compromise proposals—rejected by the covenanters and their Unionist friends—every one of the nine counties of Ulstor has a right to vote itself out of Home Rule; and yet The Times says that the Empire is endangered "because Mr. Redmond wants to get control of two counties," etc. The King's conference has failed, but it has provided further convincing evidence as to which of the conflicting parties is the true friend of "peace with honour." It is clearly of little use hoping for a compromise from men whose tongues are as "flaming swords."