The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1906-02-03
There is No Representative of Ireland in the
Ministry, Yet 1t Does Contain
Many Home Rulers
IF the Liberal Leaders Hesitate on the Irish
Question 1t Will Mean Ruin and Dis
aster for Them.

listers are home rulers" If the premier
should announce his intention to in
troduce a home rule bill on the Glad
stonian lines there would probably be
scurrying from the treasury offices
in Whitehall on the part of few Of
these great Liberal imperialists.
The policy of the Nationalists, on the
other hand, as outlined by their leader,
John Redmond, is ito push forward by
every measure in their power the Gre
alton of an Irish legislature and an
Irish executive responsible to it, and if
the Liberals palter with this question
from some timidity-from some desire
to conciliate certain Liberal leaders
then prophesy the Irish question will
mean ruin and disaster for them, the
same as for their predecessors"
Nevertheless home rule in it's plen-
|titude-that is. in the shape Gladstone
succeeded in passing through the
House of Commons-is to be shelved
for the time being. John Redmond
and his supporters must perforce be
content with what Chamberlain calls
"home rule by installments." Half a
loaf is better than no bread. After
their long suffering in starvation camp
the Nationalists are not likely to op-
pose or reject it, especially as the re-
manning half is almost in sight.
At the national convention held a
few days ago in Dublin, John Red
mond in the chair, resolutions were
passed demanding the introduction and
passage of Home Rule bill, which may
be considered an ultimatum to the
prime minister.
He is therefore between the horns
of a dilemma. On one side, if he
should consent to this demand, there
would follow disruption Of the min
istry; on the other, the loss Of Irish
National support in the House OF
Commons, which will amount to over
80 votes in division.
There can be no question as to the
premiers good intentions toward Ire.
land. He held the position of CHIEF
secretary for Ireland, Gladstone being
premier, more than 20 years ago. HI
knows her condition and wants, ant
judging by his record no man is more
disposed to apply the proper remedies
| A few days ago in a speech deliv'
ered by him at Sterling he clearly de-
fined his position regarding Irish af
fairs. my opinion" said he, "ha:
long been known. The only way o
healing the evils of Ireland and Civ
ing content and prosperity to her peo
pie is that the Irish people shoult
have the management of their owl
domestic affairs"
IF 1 were asked for advice by al
ardent Nationalist I would say m.
desire is to see the effective manage
merit of Irish affairs in the hands o
la representative Irish Parliament. I
II were a Nationalist 1 would take
Iany way l could get it, provided it wa
consistent with, and led up to. thei
larger policy"
The Irish Nationalists did take wha
they could get from the late Tory ad
ministration. They supported to mai
Wyndham's land act in its passag
; through Parliament and cooperate
: with him in his noble efforts to amelio
rate the condition of the Irish peasan
} try.
They ceased their support only whe
"the rat-tat of the Orange drum" Il
|; the words Of Bannerman, caused tn
| brakes to be put on, and Lord Lieute
lnant Dudley was ignored and Unde
!Secretary Sir Anthony MacDonnell wa
| 'censured and Chief Secretary wynd
ham was cast to the wolves"
| If the Liberals have safe majorit
at their back they will pass in shor
/ order the bills relating to amendment:
which will remove the deadlock in tn
, Operation Of the wyndham land act an
also the laborers' act, which were pig
j, Ieonholed in the expiring Balfour Par
lament