The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1903-03-21
IRELAND TO GET HOME RULE?
RUMOR THAT GOVERNMENT WILL
GRANT 1T IN MODIFIED FORM.

Recent Attitude OF the Irish Meuabers 81
Parliament indicates That They Expect
Some Favorable Move BY the Govern
ment-May Come win the ind" R'ii.
.speetai Cahs DsspafeA 10 TEE SUN.
LONDON, March 2O.-Rumor ascribes TO
the Government the intention TO submit
TO Parliament q measure bestowing modi-
ned homo rule on Ireland. For some time
past gossip In certain political quarters
has tended to spread the belief that the
forthcoming Land Purchase bill OF Mr..
Wyndham, Chief Secretary for Ireland,
will embrace or involve legislative schemes
for Ireland hitherto unsupported by the
general public, and this gossip has lately
crystallized into a prediction that the
Land bill will be accompanied or followed
by the introduction Of q bill comforting
modified home rule.
The Belfast Epenina Telegraph quotes
+. w. Russell. a Liberal Unionist member
Of Parliament, representing the south
division Of Tyrone, who is opposed to Irish
home rule. as stating this for a fact.
week or two ago the Dublin Dolly Erpress.
Unionist newspaper, referring TO the
reported passive understanding reached
BY tho Government and the Nationalists.
said that the leaders Of the opposition fore
saw dissolution OF Parliament within a
year, resting upon the agreement BY the
Government to give some sort OF Catholic
University, with a plan Of home rule on
the lines Of Mr.. Chamberlain's counsels.
II has been pointed out In the cable
despatch TO THE Sum how accommo-
dating the Irish members have shown
themselves to the Government recently In
the House Of Commons, refraining from
opposine the army schemes. and otherwise
withholding their support from the oppo-
nents OF the Government. even In the fare
OF apparent opportunities for defeating
the Government on q division. Their
complacency has been based on the ex-
pectation Of favors to come. These facts
are now cited In support OF the latest rumor,
Of which, however. IL Is naturally impossi-
ble to obtain any direct confirmation.
Meanwhile the Irish party seems once
more to enjoy the position OF holding the
internal political destines Of Great Britain
In it's hand. This is illustrated by an i'm
portant letter from r. w. Perks, N. p,
which will appear in the press Tomorrow.
Mr.. Perks is q prominent Wesleyan. and
one Of the most influential Nonconformists
In British politics He In moreover an
adherent OF Lord Rosebery's clean slate
policy, with its condemnation Of homo
rule for Ireland.
1T IL OF the utmost Importance. he
writes, that Protestant Nonconformists
know where they will stand should Liberal
administ ration come into power and re-
ferring to the Governments recent Educa-
ton act he says: The alma and ideals
Of the Nonconformists In educational AZ
fsip are thoroughly obnoxs0ss 70 the IRISH
members. Guided by their priests they
have used and will continue to use every
effort 10 perpetuate and strengthen clerical
cont ol Of our elementary schools.
They wish and expect US to vote vast
sums Of money toward the establishment
and endowment OF q Roman Catholic uni
versity in Ireland. To both these phases
OF educational policy British Noncon-
formity is irrevocably opposed. Whatever
the Liberal whips may say TO the contrary.
IL IL evident that the Liberal party has to
make it's choice between a Nonconformist
alliance and an Irish alliance
Mr.. Perks demands a pledge from the
Liberal leaders TO q policy Of complete
reversal Of the Education act, either by
repeating or amending it before home rule
or any other measure. He says
a few compliments 10 Bonconformity
will not do. What We are entitled TO In a
direct pledge that British nonconformity
will take precedeDce over the Irish Catholic
party. II IL certain that the Irish vote will
he polled a. rule against the Liberal party
IN the next elsction. Our leaders must
take care ths, tn ey do not ALLEVIATE non
conform i.ts by an attempt 10 seizure the
Irish vote by promises Of home rule
In view Of the fact that Sir Henry Camp
hell Zimmerman. the Liberal leader. la .
spe-ch Of Leeds this week again declared
himself In favor of home rule for Ireland.
II seems that Mr. Perks 10 right In declaring
tina, the IAbersls GILL have tn choosr bet ~eon
the Nonoonforrnisis and the Irish.