The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1906-02-03

Colonel J. ]. Tobin of San Francisco,
contributes to the San Francisco Call,
with which well-known journal he is
connected, a most interesting and time
ly article on the parliamentary phase
of the Irish question, and one full of
valuable information, says the Boston
Pilot
OF the 20 odd members composing the
new British Ministry there is only one
Irishman, James Bryce, the eminent
scholar and historian, who has teen
made Chief Secretary Of Ireland.
From that it would appear to great
many that Ireland's chances for win
ming her battle for home rule are very
slim, indeed. That is not the case,
however; because the reason why Ire
land is SO poorly represented in the
ministry is her own doing.
The Irish National members of Pac-
liament are solemnly bound by a party
pledge not to accept any office under
the crown, but to sit on the opposition
benches in the House of Commons un-
til heland's right to home rule Is won.
Even If the Prime Minister, Henry
Campbell -Bannerman, felt disposed to
tender John Redmond, the Irish leader,
q Cabinet portfolio, the latter could not
accept it without violating his word of
aonor.
When the new Parliament meets,
with the Liberals in the majority, the
Irish National members will be found
sitting on the same side of the house
with Balfour, Chamberlain and the en-
tire Tory opposition against whom they
nave been battling since 1892.
If Irishmen cannot be found in the
new ministry their friends and sympa-
.hizers can be found there in large
proportion. First and foremost the
premier Sir Henry Campbell-Banner-
man, who has never flunked since Glad
stone raised the home rule standard and
has, in season and out Of season, ad-
uocated Ireland's right to legislative in
dependence; John Morley, former chief
secretary for Ireland, and her stanchest
friend; Herbert Gladstone, son of the
Grand Old Man, and a faithful follower
of his principles; John Burns, the great
labor leader, who never missed casting
his vote on the same side with the Irish
National representatives; and the new
ford lieutenant of Ireland, the Earl o1
Aberdeen, who was tried before in the
same position and not found wanting
1t is fortunate for Ireland that Lore
Rosebery has been left out. Although
as one of Gladstone's cabinet ministers
he stood by him in supporting his home
rule policy in Parliament, he after
ward became a back-slider on thu
ground that the predominant partner
England, was adverse. He has latel!
announced that he could not serve un
der a home rule banner"
In a certain sense the new ministr!
may be regarded as compromise min
istry. 1t includes strong men who ar
likely to put aside their differences AM
to postpone the questions upon whicl
they cannot agree, for the sake of fight
ing a decisive battle on a principle OF
(which they are agreed.
The new chancellor of the exchequel
H. H. Asquith, pulled in the same boa
with Lord Rosebery during the Boe
war. Sir Edward Grey. the new min
lister for foreign affairs, did the sam
and so did R. B. Haldane, now secre
sary of war
They were all in favor of crushin
the Boer republic, and lined up an
shouted with the jingoes as :.imperial
lists" while the great body of Liberals
who opposed the war, were dubbe
little Englanders."
These powerful ministers, who stan
IN the very front rank as British states
men, can only be considered quas
Home Rulers. They are ready and will
ing to serve under Bannerman so lon
as home rule is not made the para
mount" issue. AS Mr.. Asquith latel
said, ITO certain extent all the min