Home Rule.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXIX, Issue 79, 24 July 1914, Page 5

Home Rule.

THE ULSTER QUESTION. AND THE CONFERENCE. [By Electric Tblegbaph—Copyright] [United Press (Association.] , - London, July 23. Mr J. M. Hogge, on the motion for adjournment, desired to know whether the conference was held conditionally, or unconditionally. It should have b«en dissociated from the Palace and held in Parliament House instead. Also, it should have been made clear that the conference, had not superseded Parliament.

gir J. A. Simon, in the absence of top Premier, promised to ask Mr Asquith to deal with Mr Hogge's suggestions. THE PRESS. Most of the Irish Nationalist newspapers welcome the sincerity of the King's speech. Freeman's Journal asserts that it exhibits no bias against the Nationalist aspirations, but, on the contrary, ddsires a peaceful settlement. Mr A. J. Kettle, a "leading figure in Parnell's day, in a letter to Freeman's Journal, says he has given up hope of getting a real Home Rule settlement from the Liberal Party. Ireland is nearly -done for the present with'the party of words, and must soon hook on to the party,of works—the Tories. The Daily Telegraph's Parliamentary correspondent says Mr Asquith's explicit statement destroyed the flimsy foundations whereon the legend was based that the King's speech betrayed party bias. The Times says Mr Asquith crushed with swift directness the extraordinary attacks on the King by certain of his own followers and the entire Liberal i?ress. The Times hopes that this will also end one of the most discreditable episodes in the history of Radicalism. . The Post has reason to beliefs fhat one of the causes leading to the conference was that the Army Council advised that in the event of, civil war, it would be necessary to strengthen the forces in Egypt, India and some home stations. Times and Sydney Sun Services. i London, July 22. The Westminster Gazette says that wh»V nft a happened; this week should wifrk all parties that failure may us not only in Irish c!ifaculties, bui in grave constitutional difficulties, the whole Kingdom. The responsible, sober-minded members ct the conference may be expected especially to bear in mind the supreme im : parlance of not exposing the King to a public controversy, and therefore making any reasonable sacrifice to reach a settlement. -if. ■>„,■■• . London,. Julyn23. ■..<■ The Chronicle says that Mr Asquith accepted the responsibility with unreserved and almost aggressive loyalty, which does him more credit because it<" will be used to discredit him and his, party.' The .episode illustrates the difficulty the King has in entering the political arena. In the present case the fault was less in the speech than in its publication. Messrs Asquith and Lloyd George lacked vigilance and judgment in agreeing to its publication. AN ADJOURNMENT. [Uottid Pebjwi Association. 1 (Received 8.50 a.m.) ■ London, July 23. The conference adjourned until tomorrow. RENEWED HOPES OF SETTLEME NT. (Received 10.40 a.m.) London, July 23. The conference had a lengthy sitting, and there are renewed hopes of a successful termination. Replying to Mr Dalziel, the Premier (Mr Asquith) said: "The sentence in the King's speech never intended to convey more than was true', namely, that apprehensions of civil strife had been widely entertained and expressed by responsible sober-minded persons, amongst whom I may perhaps include myself." ATTACK ON THE KING BY KEIR I HARDIE. (Received 10.55 a.m.) London, July 23. Mr Keir Hardie made a vioilent attack on the King for associating himself with reactionary peers and rebellious Ulstermen.