The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1907-05-06
MEMBERS NOT IN
HEARTY ACCORD
Dissension in British Cabinet
Over Question of Home Rule
for Ireland.
BIRRELL'S BILL NOW READY
WILL BE READ IN THE COM
MONS TUESDAY.

London May 5.--With negotiations ex-
tending up to the last moment and all
participating in them bound to secrecy.
little is known as to the provisions of the
Irish council bill, the main proposals OF
which Augustine Bfrrell. chief secretary
for Ireland, promised to explain IN the
4 house OF commons May Z.
/ There has been keen contest in the
cabinet between the home rulers, repre-
scented by Sir Henry Campbell-Banner-
man and Mr.. Birrell. ana the anti-home
rulers, led by Herbert Asquifh,- chancel-
/ Tor of the excheQuer, and Richard Hal
dane. secretary of war, with the home
rulers desirous of giving Ireland at least
a foundation for self-government, and
Messrs. Asquith and Haidane demanding
that the bill shall not bear any resem-
blance to home rule. Mr.. AsQuith has
gone so far as to say that il the bill con-
tains anything in letter or in spirit in
pledges be has made against home rule,
he will resign; and there is little doubt
that he would be followed by Mr.. Haldane
| and probably other members of the cab
| met.
John Redmond has taken a prominent
| part in the negotiations. He has been
given every opportunity TO state his views
which. needless to say, were at first
| demand for the fullest measure of self
government. This, 1t was early pointed
out to him, he could not expect to obtain
had not received the mandate of the peo-
/ pie at the last election to grant home
rule, and several of the most prominent
members of the cabinet were opposed to
it. The Iaborites. all OF whom are home
rulers, have been supporting the nation
alists. but even this would not justify Sir
Henry Campbell Bannerman losing two
members of his cabinet in whom the peo-
| pie have the greatest confidence.
| Faced with the impossibility of obtain
ing an Irish parliament with an execu-
tive responsible to It, Mr. Redmond is
| carrying on the fight to get as large an
installment of home rule as is possible,
and now it Is announced that If this
scheme lays foundation on which Ire
land can build. the nationalists will con-
slider whether it is worth accepting
Conference of irish Chiefs.
/ Mr. Redmond had a conference Satur-
| day with his chief advisers, including
John Dillon, Edward Blake and T. p.
O'Connor, when the government proposals
and the attitude the nationalist would
] adopt were discussed. This will be fol-
lowed by convention at Dublin during
the Whitsuntide recess, when the ques-
ton will be gone over and the Irish MEM
bers of parliament viii be instructed as to
| the course they shall pursue. There is no
doubt Mr.. Redmond's advice will be close
| " followed. What action will be taken,
| and if it will be acceptable, those taken
| into the confidence of the leaders viii not
say, they having been bound TO secrecy,
| The only expression of opinion obtain
| able was from a more conservative Irish
member of the house, who said: Il think
/ the bill will be found to be- fairly favor
! able" indicating that while the nation
alists are far from satisfied. they realize
! that Mr.. Birrell has gone as far as posi-
bic without requiring a disruption of the
government. and viii accept the bill as a
start toward self-government.
Far Short of Home Rule.
In liberal circles it is admitted that 1t
cannot be what 1rishmen desire. or what
| for the best. This, too, despite the OPP
| Tortuneness of the time, when General
! Botha. head Of the new TranSvaal gov
eminent, is making such good impress
sion in England, and the Orange River
colony, which was IN arms against Great
Britain a few years ago, is about to be
granted constitution. If these colonies
not Ireland?' Is one of the arguments of
the home rulers: but thus far it has not
been effective, and the best authorities
say Mr.. Birrell's bill will not even touch
the question of legislation.
The most sang1ine now only hope for a
measure giving administrative power
through control of expenditure to an Irish
council, which will be predoninantfy cleo
tive all the Irish members of commons
being members. thus Obviating the neces-
sity for separate elections. The unlonlsts
will be represented by nominative ele-
ment Even this administrative power, It
is anticipated. will be limited. excluding,
it is said, control over the lord lieuten-
ancy the privy council. the judiciary
forces and the crown police. A concession
may be made by handing over the Dublin
metropolitan police to the council. Inc
council will administer the local Irish gov
eminent board, which controls public IN
stitutions and also the Irish board of
works, two departments, the affairs of
which occupy so much time in the house
of commons. The departments of agricul-
ture and education also doubtless will be
handed over to the council 1t was orig
inalIv intended that a government Off
ciaI should be president of the council.
but this was strongly opposed by Mr..
Redmond with the result of the re-elec-
ton of the presiding officer being left for
the council to decide.
Hope for the Future.
This is far from a settlement of Ire
lands claim for nome rule. in the opinion
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
10 prove their fitness for self-govern-
ment Being a purely administrative body,
the great question Is pointed out, what
win 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 friend
lv government the council must have
trouble in securing funds for the carrying
ont of schemes to which a majority in
parliament are opposed
|