New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-02-21
THE NEW HOME RULE.
Mr. REDMOND ASKS A QUESTION AND
STATES A CASE.
SIR WILLIAM HARCoURT's FLIGHT FROM THE
HOUsE-THE SERIOUS DILEMMA OF
THE GLADSTONIAN PARTY.
tBY CABLE TO TIE TRIBUNE
Copyright 1892; By The Tribune association

considerably modified this week. The man who
las modified it is Mr. John Redmond, leader,
though he says he is not leader, OF the Parnellle
wing Of the Irish Nationalist. We are told over
here that Mr.. Redmond, though he represents bat
minority of Irshmen in lrelahd. represents the
majority of Irishmen in America. You will know
whether that is 50 or not. lie Us, at any rate in
the peculiar position OF being able TO speak for or
10 commit to his own views that very majority
OF Nationalist Members OF Parliament who r.
ject him and his leadership and are at daggcrs
drawn with his followers
pointed out at TIE time of the Waterford cleo
ton that either faction could compromise the
other or force il to take up an extreme policy,
because neither could Afford to BE outbid by the
other on the question of Home Rule. Still less
can they afford it now that the conflict between
them has to be fought out in Parliament. The
necessity of competition is more stringent than
ever 1t was seen last week, when each faction
was striving to surpasS the other in its devotion
TO the imprisoned dyhamiters. 1t is seen this
week in matter far more critical. because it
raises an awkward political issue in a very acute
form 1t raises, indeed, two issues, and it might
DO difficult to say which is more awkward than
the other.
First, Mr.. Redmond joins in the demand to
know what Mr. Gladstone means by Home Rule.
Secondly, he SAYS: Ny Home Rule means thus and
so. and we will not take less. VIII yOu grant y
addressing his questioC1lirectly across the House
TO Sir William Harc9urt. or, rather, to that spot
on the front bench where Sir William ought to
have been, but was not
These two points are worth considering sepa-
rately and in their order. And first, the demand
to know what Mr.. Gladstone means by Home
Rule. Heretofore, when this question has been
nut, 1t has commonly been put BY the opponents
Of Home Rule, and the answer has been, under
various forms of more or less civil clrcumlocutlon,
None of your business But nobody can tell Mr..
John Redmond opponent of Home Rue lie
is for Home Rue of very extreme klnd, as we
shall see presently. 1t is because he wants Home
Rule that he wants to know what Home kule III
Mr.. Gladstones mouth means. There is, he de-
clares great anxiety TO know in Ireland. There
is a widespread desire for more information: not,
be Is careful to say for details but about the main
features Of the measure lie disclaimed all wish
70 embarrass the Liberal leaders. He reminded the
House that In December, 1890, demand for lnfor-
nation was unanimously made twice over by the
then United Irish party. There was known to re
difference between Mr. Parncll ana Mr.. Gladstone
al 10 the settlement of the land question and
control of the police. The Irish-thc whole Irish
porty. therefore asked Mr. Gladstone for state
rnent of his views on those two points. hey
asked in vain. Mt. Gladel one WOulh mo- Si'"" '''
hand. Neither secretly nor publicly would lie con-
fide his plans to his Irish allies From that time
on the Irish people have been anxious.
Now comes Sir William Harcourt, who in
creases their anxiety By declaring in the House
Of Commons that he will have nothin. 70 say 10
Mr. Parnells Fenian Home Rule What did
he mean by that? asks Mr.. Redmond IL wax
not Mr.. Parnell's demand, but the demand OF
Ireland and it not, he insisted, Fenian
That brings Mr. Redmond 70 his second point,
to his own definition of Home Rule, and % the
irreducible minimum which, according 10 him,
Ireland viii accept; and will accept nothing less
lie discussed at length the question Of the TWO
Pariaments and the degree Of independence TO be
granted to the Dublin Parliament. Sir William
Harcourt had said last April that he willing
to concede TO the Irish people the right u man.
age their own affairs, slbjec.-always subject
70 the control of the Imperial Parliament" Upon
that Mr. Redmond now Joins issue as distinctly
as Mr.. Parnen did perhaps more distinctly. lie
argues with ingenuity on the distinction between
subordinate Parliament and minor Parliament
He would not have Dublin subordinate. Perhaps
he would prefer il insubordlnatc. He consents
that it should be minor. He processes every
respect for constitutional authority, disclams ali
idea Of separation. and admits the supremacy Of
the Imperial Parliament. On all these matters, lie
spoke clearly and well.
Then suddenly he turned round and not less
clearly, announced his ultimatum. Tie Imperial
Parliament may he supreme ana welcome in other
matters, but not in Irish matters. The Irish
Parliament said Mr.. Redmond, even if il were
O minor Parliament, must be supreme IS far as
its dealings with Irish affairs concerned.
There must be review, revision, 10 control
power Westminster 10 annul or even TO
modify what is done at Dublin.
Now | want to know continued this plain
spoken young Irshman. what are the views OF
tho Right Honorable VI ,mber for Derby on this
point" lie pressed him for declaration. Il
do not, proceeded Mr. Redmond, " see the wisdom
of living in "a fools paradise on this question.
The truth ought 10 be known. The Liberal party
ought to know what is in the mind of the Irish
party, and the Irish party ought To know what is
in the mind Of the Liberal party.
Again and again did Mr.. Redmond repcat his
statement supreme control in Ireland over purely
Irish affairs" That was his first word and bis
last. He plainly warned the Gladstoniaus that
il they meant 10 leave 20 the Imperial Parliament
power TO thwart or 70 destroy Irish legislation
nay, even power to revise 10 discuss it--ther
last state would be worse than their first.
Well. what is Sir William IIarcourts answer
You see his dilemma. He and his colleagues
stand pledged TO England and TO the Loyalists
Of Ireland to preserve the supremacy oil the IN
perial Parliament over Irish affairs as over all
other affairs Of the Empire. If you do, re'or'S
Mr Redmond your Home Rule bill Will not De
worth the paper it is written on Sir william
answer was 70 retire from the scene and to cay
nsthing. lie is Mr. Gladstones Lieutenant LEADING
the Gadstonian party in his chiefs absence ana
this is the way he leads it, lie was walking aoou'
tho lobby, in agitation, says one witness
sOnly Parnellite who challenged him SAW MN
apologize.
Yes but there IN the House sat the "h"i"