The daily morning journal and courier., 1905-02-22
IRISH AMENDMENT TO
 THRONE SPEECH LOST
DEFEATED IN coMMoNsBI VOTE
 0F2s6 TO as6.
Balfour Frequently Hoosss- Expresses Regret at misunderstana- ing by Secretary for Ireland wynd- ham and Under Secretary MacDonneli -unsxpeotedly Large Reduction of Governments Majority Greeted wltA Cheers.

London, Feb. 2i.-,Jchn Redmonds
 amendment to the address in reply to
 the speech from the throne was defeat-
 ed in the house of commons to-night
 by vote of 2ss to 2s6. after an ex-
 haustive debate occupying two days
 and affording an opportunity to repre-
 sentatives of the several parties and
 factions to express their views On the irish situation. The amendment de-
 ciared, in effect, that .ths present sys- tenn of government (of Irelan0 is op-
 posed to the will of the Irish people. s'
 The net result of the debate showed
 that all agreed that the present system of government of Ireland is unsatisfac-
 tory, but there was a distinct disagree
 ment concerning methods by which dis
 content might be abated and Ireland
 cease to be a disturbing element in the
 politics of the United Kingdom. At the opening of the discussion to-
 day John Dillon and Timothy Healy supported the amendment.
 Sir Henry Campbell Zimmerman be- gan his speech with saying that ha
 supported the policy of thorough fundamental alteration of the whole
 Irish system of government" The Irish people, he said, deserved better gov Iernment, springing from and controlled by themselves.
 Premier Balfour, in winding up the debate, said that every unionist and every one of his ministers agreed that the broad lines now existing as to the
 government of Ireland were not lines that should be preserved.
 Beyond these expressions neither the leader of the opposition nor the premier recommended themselves concerning home rule. Sir Henry Campbell Zimmerman supported Mr. Redmond's amendment ! in the division, but he was unable to secure the support of a sufficient nun, Der to achieve the real object of the amendment, namely, the defeat Of the unionist government.
 The second days debate brought out no striking speeches, and there was an
 absence of anything approaching the lexcitement that is frequently attendant
 on debates of the Irish question. Throughout the afternoon and night Sir Antony Mcdonnell, Secretary Wynd- ham and the Earl of Dudley were the chief centers around which the attack
 and defense turned. Sir Henry Camp- bell Zimmerman demanded the publica- ticn of the correspondence between Sec retary Wyndham and Mcdonnell. and
 MT. Balfour, who at considerable length defended Mcdonnell and Wyndhana Isaid he profoundly regretted the misun- |derstanding, but refused to entertain the suggestion that it touched in the smallest degree the honor of any of the principals concerned.
 MT. Balfour's speech was frequently interrupted by hooting from Irish mem bers, and the speaker was obliged 10 intervene to request order. while MT. Balfour, who calmly waited until the disturbance was completely over, on. one occasion said that he was not being treated with the courtesy which had been extended to Irish members, and, referring to Lord Hugh Cecilss state
 ment that home rule was dead, said that at least he could take the view that home rule was being buried de- cently. He viewed without fear the end of the battle if the great party in flavor of union remained undivided; but it was vital that all smaller controversies should be sunk in this great national and imperial issue
 The announcement of the division, showing an unexpectedly large reduce tion of the governments majority, was greeted with prolonged opposition and Irish cheers.