Having survived the efforts of English suffragettes to burn it down the previous evening, Dublin's Theatre Royal was the venue for a meeting of the British Liberal Party and the Irish Parliamentary Party in support of the former's Home Rule Bill. – JOE JOYCE
THE MEETING in the Theatre Royal, Dublin, presided over by Mr. John Redmond , and addressed by Mr. Asquith and by Liberals representing England, Scotland, and Wales, took the form of a celebration of the close alliance of the Liberal and the Nationalist parties. The proceedings were carried out in almost perfect harmony. Elaborate steps were taken to preserve the meeting from disturbance. The precincts of the theatre were surrounded by strong detachments of police.
On the platform were seated several Nationalist members of Parliament, most of the members of yesterday’s Liberal deputations to the Prime Minister, barristers, priests, and other persons who take part in Liberal and Nationalist politics. In the parterre were a few Presbyterian ministers.
Some time before the Chairman appeared the men in the gallery had commenced to indulge their enthusiasm, the repeated singing of “A Nation Once Again” being followed by vigorous cheers. Other airs were sung – “Come Back to Erin,” “God Save Ireland,” the “Dear Little Shamrock,” and “Who Fears to Speak of Ninety-eight?”
Punctually at eight o’clock (the ladies of the Prime Minister’s party having a minute previously entered the Viceregal box), Mr. Redmond, leading Mrs. Asquith, entered from the wings, and was closely followed by Mr. Asquith, Mr. Birrell , the Lord Mayor of Dublin , Mr. John Dillon, and the others who were to speak.
A remarkable scene ensued. The entire audience rose to their feet, and waving hats, handkerchiefs, and papers, cheered enthusiastically. The Prime Minister stood facing the assembly for close on five minutes.
The demonstration was renewed when Mr. Asquith stepped forward to the rostrum, after Mr. Redmond had spoken for about seven minutes.
The Premier’s opening words were listened to in deep silence. He commenced quietly, and the first real burst of applause came when, after a reference to the past unhappy relations of the two countries, he declared with sharp emphasis, “What has been, has been.” Then, in his cold, matter-of-fact style, he settled down to an hour of considered argument. Mr. Asquith’s most popular point with his hearers was his declaration that “Ireland is a nation,” and when he recurred to the assertion, adding, “Not two nations,” he was again cheered. The Prime Minister did not take up Mr. F. E. Smith’s challenge to say what he would do in the event of Ulster’s armed resistance to the imposition of Home Rule; but he referred to it, and stated casually that he did not believe in the prospect of civil war.
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