They were also delighted to see the Irish party openly exert its power--not quite realizing that such exhibitions were against the interest of the democratic alliance, which had to undergo a grave test.

The Government's vacillation had rendered another general election necessary if the Veto question were to be fought out.
On April 29th the House adjourned for the Whitsuntide recess, after which the crisis was to come with the decision of the House of Lords whether to accept or reject the Veto Resolution, which had then passed the Commons.

On May 7th, after a short and sudden illness, King Edward died.

Both the great English parties were unwilling to renew the most acute political struggle of modern times at the opening of a new reign, and means of accommodation was sought through a Conference which sat first on June 16th and held twenty-one meetings.

No representative of Ireland was on this body.