The daily morning journal and courier., 1907-05-06

and the attitude the nationalists would adopt toward the measure were dis cussed. This will be followed by con vention at Dublin during the Whitsun- tide races, when the question will be gone over and the Irish members of parliament will be instructed as to the course they shall pursue. There Is no doubt MT. Redmond's advice will be closely followed. What the bill will contain, however, and whether 1t will be acceptable, those taken into the con fidence of the leaders will not say they having been bound to secrecy.
 The only expression of opinion ob- tainable was from a more conservative Irish member of the house of commons, who said:
 q think the bill will be found to be fairly favorable" indicating that while the nationalists are far from satisfied, they realize Mr. Birrell has gone as far as is possible without causing dis ruption of the government, and will accept the bill as start toward self government.
 In liberal circles it is admitted that the bill cannot be what Irishmen desire or what the English home rulers be- leve will be for the best This despite the opportuneness of the time, when Gen Botha, head of the new Transvaal government is making such good i'm pression in England and the Orange river colony, which also was in arms against Great Britain few years ago, is about to be granted q constitution. If these colonies can be trusted to govern themselves, why not Ireland?" is one of the arguments of the home rulers; but thus far It has not been eff fective, and the best authorities say Mir Birrelrs bill will not even touch the question of legislation.
 The. most .sanguine now only hope ! for a measure giving administrative power through control of expenditures to an Irish council which will be predo- minately elective, all the Irish mem bers of commons being members, thus obyiating the necessity for separate elections. The Unionists, or land own ing, minority in Ireland will be repre- sented by nominative element for which the government will be respon- sible Even this administrative power. 1t is anticipated, will be limited, ex- cluding, it is said, control oyer the Lord Lieutenancy, the priyy council, the judiciary forces and the crown police. A concession may be made by handing over the Dublin Metropolitan police to the council. This force must not be confounded with the royal Irish con- stabulary, which, it is said, will res main under the imperial government but be reorganized under a scheme generally acceptable to Irishmen.-
 The council will administer the Irish local government board, which controls public institutions, and also the Irish board of works, two departments the affairs of which occupy so much time in the house of commons. The depart ments of agriculture and education also doubtless will be handed over to the council.
 It was originally intended that a government official should be president of the council but this was strongly opposed by MT. Redmond with the re- suit, 1t is said, of the selection of the PlSSlAtilS 5OlllAOl DCAliS iNlN AOA lliN council to decide
 This is far from settlement of Ire lands claim for home rule, in the opin- ion of home rulers, but they express the hope that the bill will be so framed that the powers of the council can be enlarged as the members prove their fitness for self-government. Being a purely administrative body the great , question 1t is pointed out, will be the , amount the government can obtain from the house of commons for the council to spend. With the present large democratic majority there might not be any difficulty, but under less friendly government the council might have trouble in securing funds fol carrying out schemes to which a ma jority in parliament are opposed.