The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1907-02-03

Dublin, Feb. 2.-The new chief seCre-
tary for Ireland comes to his responsible
post with well-defned opinions on Irish
home rule During his election cam
paign he advocated a liberal measure Of
elf-goyernment for this country. and be-
fore his Parliamentary career was inter
rupted by his defeat at Northeast Man
chester, had an opportunity. Of which he
fully availed himself, of placing unequiv-
ocaHy on record his home rule faith.
Speaking on the second reading of the
home rule bill Of 1898 he declared that
the Irish question had entered upon
new era, and some scheme OF home rule
some substantial modification of the act
of uniOn-was, consequently, a plain pO-
liticai necessity Furthermore. in pointed
manner. he twitted SIr. Chamberlain, who
was listening 10 him, with his inconsis-
tency. Whatever the right honorable
gentleman might say now" declared Mr..
Birrell. he was one Of the fathers of
the home rule movement"
Mr. BirreH also believes in self govern
ment for Scotland, his mothers native
land
Il is interesting, now that Scottish
members and even ministers are limiting
at a revival of the movement for home
rule In their midst, to recall the new
irish secretary's intimate association with
the proposal
In 1894 Mr.. BirreH seconded a motion
in the House Of Commons advocating the
establishment Of a Scottish legislature.
Now that the scope Of this years Irish
government bill and subsequent meas
ures completing installments are under
discussion in the country, it is oppoTtune
to remember that among the matters
which Mr.. Birreu then suggested as with
in the province Of a Scottish Parliament
were. law reforms and land reforms, pub
lie health, rights Of way, liquor traffic.
education, and even the question of the
Scottish church
scotch Home Rule Bill.
In 1893 Mr.. Birren backed a bill for
Scottish home rule, introduced by Mr.
Pirie, which never made any Roadway.
While many Of the Scottish members are
in favor Of home rule, they have never
been able to rally the masses of their
countrymen round the movement. Prob
ably they do not care to do so. since the
Scottish members generally get all they
want from Parliament Consequently
they never take the trouble to prolong, or
even enliven. any of the debates on the
affairs OF their country.
The only instance in recent years in
which Scotch sentiment came into sharp
conflict with the government was over
the withdrawal Of the Scots Greys from
the country. On the last day OF the ses-
sion the feelings Of the Scotch members
were embitteTed against the House of
Lords BIZ their action in excluding their
country from the scope of the meals for
school children bin. Possibly these two
grievances may put life into the Scottish
home rule movement which is tame
enough at present.
There has been no disposition whatever
to credit the suggestions advanced with
apparent seriousness that the Irish gov
eminent bill will not be introduced this
session. Two reasons were given from
different quarters for the postponement
of the measure. One was the statement
put forward that the Irish members were
not satisfied with the draft OF the scheme.
but, if that were so. it would be a reason
for negotiations; the other was based
upon the pretext of first disposing Of the
issue with the House Of Lords 1t is be-
lleved that this was just feeler. not in
spired by any authority from Campbell
BanneTman, Why the suggestion should
have been put forward it is hard 10 say.
as the Irish response TO it must have been
Il foregone conclusion. The obvious re-
tort would be to urge the government TO
be courageous in the Irish question, while
the Upionist deal In devolution is fresh in
the public mind
The Irish situation at present suggests a
curious parallel between Walter Long and
Mr. Birrell. Each minister. representing
a constituency in the city of Bristol. con
scented 10 a transfer from another post to
the Irish chief secretaryship to get the
prime minister. who was his leader. out of
a difficulty. The coincidence Is carried
farther. The immediate predecessors. Of
the chief secretary in each case. Mr.
Wyndham and Mr.. Bryce, resigned owing
to the relations which existed between
them and Sir A. MacDonnel.
appointment Criticised.
The appointment of Mr.. BirrelI con-
tinues TO attract much attention in the
Liberal and Unionist press.
The Standard thinks the appointment Of
Mr. Birren will certainly have the un-
doubted effect of bringing Irish affairs
once more into prominence" The rea-
sons" says the journal, which moved the
country to decide against Mr.. Gladstone's
proposals have lost none of their force,
which resides in the bitter and avowed
enmity which the Nationalists bear to-
ward England. We do not forget for in
stance, that Irishmen in the House OF