Days passed, and the possibility of civil war was exchanged for the near probability of European war which might find the British Empire divided against itself.
It was necessary in the highest interests of State for the Government to make an effort to compose the cause of so much violent faction, which might at any moment assume acute form.

The Amending Bill, introduced in the House of Lords with the Government's offer embodied in it, had been altered by the Peers in a manner which Lord Morley described as tantamount to rejection.

In this shape it was to come before the House of Commons on July 20th.

But on that Monday, when the House reassembled after the weekly holiday, the Prime Minister rose at once and announced in tones of no ordinary solemnity that the King had thought it right to summon representatives of parties both British and Irish to a Conference next day at Buckingham Palace, over which Mr.Speaker would preside.
Redmond in two brief sentences guarded his attitude.

He disclaimed all responsibility for the policy of calling the Conference and expressed no opinion as to its chances of success.