The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1903-03-22
Announcement of British Govern
ment's Intention ADDS Con-
fusion to Politics.
NATIONALIST VOTE IS NEEDED.
Conservatives Twice Recently
Saved From Defeat by New
Observation-Disclosures
May Make Trouble.

London, March I.-The announcement
that the Government contemplates bringing
in a bill providing a modified form of homo
rule for Ireland complexities the present sit
uation. which already presents an extraor-
binary muddla.
No measure OF homo rule can be brought
before Parliament this year. and the Irish
Secretary, Mr.. Wyndham. is quite likely to
deny the serious existence OF such q plan.
Any deniel, however, can be regarded as
mere political evasion, due to the Govern
ments desire not to arouse further oppoG-
ton among It's own supporters until TIA
Irish land-rurchase bill Is safely passed.
which is not expected until September.
The provisions Of tho latter measure are
still kept absolutely secret. and will not
be revealed until March Is. when the bill
will be brought IN.
The Nationalist members Of Parliament
and the Irish Unionista. including Lord
Dunraven, continue hopeful that 1t will. or.
indeed, that 1t must contain proposals
which will in some degree meet the de-
mands OF united Ireland.
LANDLORDS VIEW.
Lord Dunraven also declared that there
was a widespread feeling among Union
list landlords for an extended form Of
local government. They see no reason why
all the Irish parties should not work to-
gether toward that end. Is they had done
in the land question
The Nationalist leaders refrain from
making any comment, and publicly make
little Of their now continuous support Of
Premier Balfour. The rank and nle, how
ever, DO not hesitate to point out that the
Government is now at their mercy. and
that the Ministry would twice have been de-
tl,a xdO
attacks of the fourth party and the large
abstention OF its nominal supporters from
voting, had the Nationalists voted. as they
have done for years, with the opposition.
A Nationalist member Of Parliament said
to a representative Of the Associated Press:
with dw1ndling majorities In the House.
crushing defeats In the by-elections and
yirulent attacks from the fourth party 1t
really would not be go much out Of the
way if Mr.. Balfour did bring in . home
rule bill. though. Of course. he will call 1t
extension Of local government
CONSERVATIVES ANGRY.
The alliance Of the Government with the
Irish has caused intense indignation among
many members Of the Conservative party,
who, however. SO far have not publicly ex-
pressed their disapproyeL
II has also caused keen apprehension
among the Liberal forces, who have been
put In q fresh dilemma by the action Of R
w. Perks QiberaD. who practically con-
trolls the nonconformist vote in England
and who is Lord Roseberry's chief bench
raan In the House Of Commons. In issuing
q manifesto declaring that the Liberal
leaders must now choose between the Irish
or nonconformist alliance.
He maintains that the action of the Gath
Ole Irish members In helping the Govern
ment to pass the recent education bill In
the face Of violent nonconformist protests
forever prevents an understanding between
the Irish Catholics and the nonconform-
lists.
What are We entitled to-" Mr.. Perks
says, '.s a direct pledge that British nom
coneormis.s will take precedence oyer the
Irish Catholic party" and he advises his
Observation-Disclosures not to vote for the
Liberal candidate at the forthcoming by
election in the Chertsey division Of Bur
reg.
Mr.. Perks has thus placed Sir Henry
Campbell Bannerman, tho Liberal leader. on
the horns of a dilemma, compared with
which even the recent successes OF the Lib
erals at the polls are unimportant, and has
added another to the many confusing
issues which are rapidly breaking up the
long established party distinctions on both
hides of the House.