In April, 1916, a serious outbreak oc curred in Ireland under the direction of Sir Roger Casement. (See IRELAND.) In February, 1917, a bill was introduced into Parliament requiring all men be tween the ages of 18 to 61 to be en rolled. This bill was passed in March. Among other important events of 1917 were the introduction of the new budget which largely increased taxation besides providing for electoral reforms and woman suffrage. In March of that year the First Imperial War Cabinet includ ing representatives from all British dominions was held in London. The Irish question continued to be the most serious domestic problem during this year. During 1918 many stringent meas ures were passed providing for in creased efficiency in war work. A new military-service bill was enacted in April. This provided military service from every British male between the ages of 18 and 51 who had been in Eng land since August, 1915. The second session of the Imperial War Cabinet took place June 10, 1918. The House of Commons in October of this year passed a measure providing for the member ship of women in Parliament. A general election was held on December 14, 1918. The Liberal party was divided into two factions, one of which supported Lloyd George and the other Asquith. The Coalition Government was successful .in the election, electing almost 5 to 1 of its members as candidates. This marked the complete overthrow of the Asquith Liberals and the Pacifists. During the year an Irish convention was held for the purpose of arriving at some agree ment between the Irish factions. This, however, resulted in no substantial success and the Irish question was still unsettled at the end of the year.
When Parliament met in 1919 the traditional party lines were more or less obliterated. Several of the most con spicuous members, including Mr. As quith, had lost their seats. David Lloyd George had been Prime Minister since December 7, 1916, and from that period until the end of the war he was the strongest figure and practically a dicta tor of the English government. He was
given the fullest possible powers and was in most cases warmly supported by the people. With President Wilson, he was the most conspicuous figure at the Peace Conference in 1919. During 1919 economic conditions in England were very unfavorable and there were fre quent strikes in the industrial centers. A threatened strike of the coal miners resulted in the formation of a coal coin mission, which succeeded in recommend ing conditions which were accepted by the miners. The railway strike was in force during the latter part of the year, but was broken by lack of support by the people. During 1919 the Prince of Wales visited the United States, where he was received with great enthusiasm. In February 10, 1920, Parliament began a new session. Herbert Asquith, the former premier, was elected to the House of Commons from Paisley. After remaining in session until August 16, the House of Commons adjourned until October 19. At the beginning of the session on that date, supplementary army estimates were introduced bring ing the total estimates for the year to about 1165,000,000.
During 1920 and 1921 disorder con tinued in Ireland. In some portions of the country a practical condition of civil war existed. For an account of these conditions, see IRELAND. The Irish Home Rule Bill was signed by King George in December, 1920, which was to go into effect at the discretion of the king.
In 1921 agreement was made with France in regard to the control of Syria and Palestine, and a practical protector ate was established over Mesopotamia. Egypt had already become an integral part of the British Empire. In March, 1921, the Supreme Council of the Peace Conference held sessions in London to decide the question of reparations by Germany.
For statistical data relating to Eng land, see GREAT BRITAIN. For the terri tory embraced in the Empire, see BRITISH EMPIRE. See also articles on the various subdivisions of the Empire, as AUSTRALIA, CANADA, NEW ZEALAND, INDIA, etc.