Allied to these attacks upon the King there has been
amongst Radical Members of Parliament another outbreak of spite and jealousy even more childish and ridiculous. It has actually been made a grievance that the Conference met at Buckingham Palace. Faced with this " injury " one feels inclined to say with the French diplomatist: " C'est impossible de causer avec des messieurs comme fa." Does anyone in his senses really suppose that the King, or what is vaguely and grandiloquently called his entourage, whatever that may be, or his private secretary, or even the housemaids or charwomen at the Palace, found a diabolical delight in putting aside Room 44 for the meeting of the Conference and compelling the eight Members of Parliament to meet there P If anyone has any opinion on the subject at the Palace it is, we suspect, that the Conference is a bore and gives extra work and trouble. No doubt the reason why Ministers chose Buckingham Palace for the Conference was a very simple one. A meeting held there would not be disturbed by flocks of journalists, by pushing Members of the House of Commons, or by other persons anxious to press their views upon the men who composed the Conference. If, as has been suggested, the Conference had been held in a committee-room at the House of Commons no one could have gone in or out without being subjected to every sort of importunity.
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