New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-05-08
IRISH BILL ADVANCED.
CLOTURE RULE INVOKED.
Mr. BireIPs Scheme GiUes Meagre
Form Of Self-GoUernment.

LONDON May THE government to-day pre-
Aented its long awaited Irish bill to the House
u Commons and the country To prevent the
first reading of the bhl being deferred until to-
morrow. while Walter Hume Long was still
speaking Mr. BirrelI moved the closure. Then
amid a great uproad and protests and shouts
of Gag the closure was carried by All votes
to III, and the bill passed it's first reading by
416 votes 10 12l. The House then adjourned.
The bill is designed TO meet the demands for
Irish Home Rule. 1t presented by fthe Chief
Secretary for Ireland, Mr. BirreI, TO a crowded
house. Prior TO the appearance of this measure
1t was popularity termed a ''devoution bill :"
but to-day it is referred to as the Irish Council
BILL or the Irish bill"
Compared with the Home Rule bills Of 1885,
and 1906, the measure of to-day confers little
sef-government ireland. merely giving TO
the council control Of the eight C.epartn1ents
now managed by government boards The
council is TO be in part appointed by, the Crown
and the Lord Lieutenant Of Ireland has nouar
10 nullify Its measures. The Crown retains con-
poi OF nVe departments, including the constab-
oiai9' Inc control of this branch always has
Deea a thorn in the flesh OF the Irish people
NO PARTY ENTIRELY SATISFIED
II Is natural that this halfway measure &c
wholly pleasing 10 political r,artv The
Unionists regard il a a step toward Home RuIa
Ihey OBJECT to giving TO Ireland the managenept
OF many departments of local affairs while the
Irish members Of the House of Commons retain
the right 10 legislate in similar Affairs for Eng
land and Scotland. They criticise also the MIA,
Of government by council through eight COM
mittees as complicated and cumbersome The
Radicals are disappointed that the measure falls
SO lar snort Of actual Home Rule, and the Irish
members are even more disappointed with it.
TIE irish leaders, however. are maintaining a.
diplomatic attitude until they have time TO study
the provisions Of the bill and learn the sentiment
Of the people
Nationalist convention will be held in DIb-
lin May q and % 10 decide the policy Of the
irish party. The Laborites will support the
measure because they are all Home Rulers
After the bill had been presented and ex-,
planned by Mr.. Birrell il was criticised and ridi
culed by A ]. BaIfour behalf Of the Opposi.
tion. John Z. Redmond then delivered a brill
iant speech noteworthy principally for its dig
nifed and forcefuI exposition Of Irelands claims
for complete Home Rule
The audience Of the speakers was worthy ~
the historical occasion. The entire ministry
occupied seats the front benches Mr. Pal
four lounged in his characteristic Iangutd atti
tude opposite, with George Wyndharn. the for
mer Chief Secretary for Ireland beside hin,
The floor of the House was packed, and the gall
leries held a notable assemblage including a
number Of peers. the visiting colonial Premiers
notably Alfred Deakin Premier of Australia. and
several bishops. Members of the Irish clergy:
were conspicuous in The galleries
AUGUSTINE BIRRELL's SPEECH
Most OF Mr.. Birrells speech was dry ex-
PLANTATION Of details Of the plan, although IN the
DeslilllHs he forcibly contrasted his position
win mat OF Mr.. Gladstone In presenting Home
f'ule' Gaining his task a more humble one and
1rl7r71 ar7crF-u
efs- The Irish Secretary rose to an orator,caI
height when he described the present svs,en, =,
irish administration. He called Dublin Cas,1a q
failure, saying, There it stands remote. with.
OUT friend and melancholy, while the current
OF Irish life sweeps past" No Governor bad
entered, he continued the gloomy portals az
dublin Castle without sinking Of the heart
almost equivalent to abandoning hope"
Parnell had said that one way to govern Ira
land was 10 send a man there to hold the hal
ance OF ell parties and administer the country
In spirit Of courage and independence hat
me government had no such man In its eve
I would rather write the biography Of q de-
ceased autocrat" Mr.. Birreu said than live
under his rule. Such men do not make goodtbis
tory"
With all its shortcomings an elective BODY
would be educational. and teach the Irish people
sef-respect. Nobody. said Mr.. Birrell, believed
%
Ireland was sound IN principle or economical
Il had been switched of from the great current
OF the national life Of the people. Under the
proposed new scheme the Irish members of
parliament would continue TO sit at Westminster
IN undiminished numbers. but he hoped here
after 10 ind more profitable. channel for their
inquisitiveness in managing local affairs at
home
THE TERMS OF THE BILL
IL was the intention OF the bill TO establish
representative Administrative Council con-
listing Of eighty-two elected and twenty four
nominated members the latter TO be nominated
The first year by the King and thereafter by the
Lord Lieutenant of Ireland. Elected members
would be elected on the local government board
franchise. The Under Secretary to the Lord
Lieutenant would be ex-officio member OF
NE council, which would have complete control
OF the powers vested in the departments to be
handed over To its care. The president Of the
council would be appointed by the council itself
Ehd The Chief Secretary would have the right to
attend the meetings. II the existing officers Of