The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1893-03-13
UNIVERSAL HOME RULE.
Both Scotland and Wales Will Ask
For II After Ireland OBJ
tains II.
A Parliament for Each Country
and an Imperial Parlia-
mont Over ALI.
Gladstone VIII Leave Those Other Prob
lens to 10 Worked Out By tho
Younger Mon.

LONDON, March 12.--Tho question of Brit
ish federation is already looming mp behind
the figure of Irish homo rule, and singular
ly enough, it has been raised within II few
days by Gladstone's own constituents of
Midlothian. Liberals are beginning to talk
openly and frankly OF parliaments for
Wales and Scotland. and ultimately also for
England. with an imperial parliament su.
prems over all. 1t ia recognized that the
retention of Irish members at Westn inster,
after granting home rule to- LELAND. would
make it logically impossible to refuse homo
rule to the different portions of Great
Britain whenever they chose to demand it.
Already thero is strong movement in
Scotland in favor of Scottish home rule.
The Scotch are thoroughly practical peo
pie, and they appreciate the benefits that
union with England has brought to their
country, and how Scotchmen have reaped
no small share Of Great Britain's golden
harvest since union was established. But
thore is also strong national feeling in
North Britain and growing sentiment
that Scottish interests dc not always re-
ceive due attention at Westminster. If a
vote could be taken now ii is moro than
probable that majority Of Scottish elect
ors would vote for the restoration Of the
Scottish parliament.
There is no deep sentiment of antipathy
toward England and the English in Scot
land as in Ireland, partly because the Low
land Scotch are akin in race to the English,
and partly because the Scotch have no rank
ling sense of wrong unavenRed. They feel
that they always gave England as good as
that
quits so far as regards their ancient strug-
ales. But. nevertheless, the home rule
idea is gaining stronger hold. year by year,
and the earnestness with which The ma jOr-
ity of Scottish representatives support
Irish home rule is an evidence of theis be-
lief in the home rule principle.
The Welsh are far more earnest than the
Scotch in their desire to be separate from
everything English. The revival of the
national spirit in Wales is one of the mar
vels of the age. The little principality
seems to be as determined to stand apart
from England as in the days when its
princes held independent sway. The Welsh
larGuage and literature are being assidu-
ously cultivated, and some knowledge of
both is regarded almost as Indispensable in
any aspirant for the favor and votes of the
people of Wales. The Welsh are over
their political affiliations, aud u large ma
| jority are also nonconformlsts. They are
olamorous in their demand for tho DISCS
| Establishments OF the established church in
Wales. and have compelled Gladstone's
government to listen to their demand.
I here is no doubt that the granting of Irish
home rule will be followed by Il movem ent
| in behalf of Welsh home rule.
| Gladstone is not likely, however. to take
any part in any scheme of federation for
the United Kingdom. Those who know
him best say that he will rest content with
achieving homo rule for Ireland. and will
leave it for younger men to work out the
problem in Great Britain. There Is no rea-
son to believe that he regards home rule rs
| Inevitable in Scotland and Wales, ns we'll
as in Ireland. but that he does not feel that
his shoulders should bear any additional
| burden to that of the great measure which
| he has undertaken to accomplish.