New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-06-02
HOME RULE BILL AMENDED.
MEANS OF IMPERIAL DEFENCE EXCEPTED
FROM IRISH GOVERNMENT CONTROL.
Mr. GLADSTONE MEETS THE WISHES OF THE
OPPOSITION - Mr.. BALFOUf'S EARNEST
SPEECH on THE DANGER OF \ pos
SIBIE LARGE INCREASE IN
THE CONST,HI-I>Ry

SPEECH on THE DANGER OF 4 pos
sIBLE LARGE INCREASE IN
THE CoNsTABCIARY
London. June Tho House Of Commons hav-
ing gone into committee on the Home Rule bill
to-day. Mr.. Gladstone accepted the proposed
amendm mt that the right to interfere in hostlli-
ties between foreign countries be excepted from
the powers of the Irish Legislature.
George Wyndlnm. Conservative Member for
Dover, proposed to exclude from the control of the
forces under local officials. Mr.. Gladstone OPP
posed the motion.
Mr. Balfour. leader of the Opposition, spoke at
length in support of Mr.. Wyndham's amendment
Clause No. 3 he said, supposed 10 provide
that the Irish legislature should not have power
10 make laws concerning military or naval forc"s
or the defence of the realm. Unless some such
check as that suggested by the Member for Dover
were adopted, however, half the provision must
remain worthless as the paper il was printed on
What value could the members possibly attach TO
the clause cnacting that the Irish Lcgisla-
ture should have nothing 10 do with the military
forces. if at the same time the Irish Government
should be permitted 10 control an armed and
drilled foice of con,tabulary 1000 strong Wha,
in the clause in question limited the right OF
the Irish Legislature to inccrasc the strength of
the conStabnlarv9 Unless the amendment were
adopted there would be- nothing TO prevent the
Irish Government from forming an army of It's
own under prctcncc of rrorganizns or developing
this constabulaIy.
The central Police force undoubtedly was we'll
adapted to the present needs of Ireland but
der the new Irish Government il would probably
be used as means 10 far different end One
might prophesy with reasonable certainty that il
would be- made an instrument TO accomplish the
oppression OF Ulster. 4 few months training.
moreover. would turn the constabulary into
formidable military force. such as the irish hoN-
ernment ought not 10 control 10 allow this
was pure lunacy. BY sanctiOning clause under
which such things possible. Parliament
would virtually grant TO Ireland the disposition ol
II semi-militay organization. when. III crlucaI
DAYS of the Imperial Government might push
Great Britain TO severe straits. prolonged mon
jst cheers. True. the Prime Minister regarded
it as little less than hcresy to show any mis-
trust of the Nationalists; but even so, Parlla
ment must look forward 10 the effects oil thi'
iill not only upon the Nationalists this year and
next. but also upon those who would lead the
Irish in five. ten or fifteen years His hearers
oucht not 10 shut their eyes 10 the poSshll-
ties of the future nor create a danger when IL
might strain the resources of the Imperial GOV
crnment meet.
Mr.. Morley, Chief Secretary for Ireland, III re
rlyine TO Mr. Balfour. reminded the members '""'
.hr hli ,id not place the polio" undc! '"r cen
ral autlcrity i'll Dublin. In laci he >aii' II
,xuressic simulated that such should not be the
case.
Mr.. Bslfour-Nothing in the bill prevents the
formation Of a new constabulary
Mr. Morley--It would bc in direct cOntraven-
ton of the hi if the Irish Legislature should
make laws organizing force on anything Ike
military lines {" Hear llcar.D
Mr.. Go.chcn, Chancellor of the Exchequer IN
the last Salisbury Cabinet insisted that the s-iie
Guards provided by the bill against misuse of IN"
constabulary were inadcquat,. There was not
lin, iu the measure. he said, to prevent the cen
trazation Of the constabulaiy and It's trans
,GIi.iatlon into military lOic' undrr the ""h-
rnand of the Government in Dublin
Sir Henry James, Liberal-l nionist Member for
BuIy said that an armed force might eAIst III
Ireland and Yet not be the military I"lc' loi-
really a. lesirous az il prOfcssed 10 be Of pre-
venting the Irish Legislature from forming snch
a force, why would II not agree to the amend
mcnt? . 49,
somi-mlitarv force under the name Of police
couId he legally constituted IN Ireland under
the bill Nevertheless If the prohibitions already
propo-ed appeared be Insufficient, he was
willing to insert in the biii words TO meet 'hc
cas-. beyond all doubt. e.. Hear Hear
After this declaration Mr. Wyndham. IN ac-
cordancc with Mr.. Bafours advice, Withdrew
his amendment. =,
Government an amendment excepting from the
control of the Irish Government forts, magazines,
arSenals naval dockyarls and Otner similar means
of the defence OF the realm.