Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1907-05-22

Dublin, May 21.-The Nationalist
convention called to decide whether the
Irish bill, introduced in the House of
Commons May I, by the chief secretary
for ireland, Mr.. Birrell. was acceptable
tC the people Of Ireland, assembled at
noon today in the round room of the
historic mansion house. 1t became
known Immediately that the measure,
as q result of yesterdays meeting of the
Irish League would be rejected, and
that resolution, to be introduced by
John E. Redmond, chairman of the
Irish Parliamentary party, settling the
fate Of the bill had been prepared.
The floor orthe rotunda was packed
with delegates from many societies and
constituencies, representing every part
Of Ireland The Irish members OF Par
lament were present in full force and
many of the Catholic clergy were on
the platform.
Seated beside Mr. Redmond We're the
American delegates, John O'CaIlaghan.
secretary of the United Irish League;
T. b. Fitzpatrick, treasurer of the
league and Patrick j. Timmins. q
member Of the executive committee Of
the league; a venerable man Who was
nell, brother Of the late Stewart Par
nell: Richard Croker whose hair and
close cropped beard are now completely
white. and several bishops.
Mr.. Redmond. who presided. was
greeted with great cheering when he
rose to srcak His first words were:
"The heart Of every Irishman in the
world goes out to John Dillon in the
h"ur Of his great 2fIliction."
A resolution Of sympathy with Mr..
Dillon in the loss Of his wife was adopt
ed. as was adopted another for the
widow Of Michael Davitt.
kilograms OF greeting from many
Irish societies in America and else
where were read. after which Mr.. Red
mond reminded the delegates that Ire
lands fitness for clf-gOvernment
would he judged by their conduct at
this convention. Mr.. Redmond then
read the resolution on the Irish bill,
which was DANGEROUSLY checrcd. as fol-
lows:
'"That this convention, representative
of Irish national opinion. emphatical-
ly places on record its profound Convic-
ton that nothing can satisfy the ma
tional aspirations of Ireland or bring
peace ana contentment to our people.
but measure of solf- government
which give the Irish people complete
control Of their domestic affairs.
THAT while we have never wavcred
in our belief that it is impossible to
produce any logical or workable scheme
for the extension and development Of
popular power and responsibility in
Ireland short of the concession of
Home Rule. at the same time. in ac-
cordancc with the resolutions of the ma
tional directory Of Feb ), 1907. and
with the public declarations made from
time to time on our behalf, we have
been willing to give fair consideration
to any scheme proposed by the British
ministers. which in their opinion would
be consistent with and lead up 10 the
| larger policy to which they were
| pledged.
That having considered the Irish
Council bill introduced Ivy the govern
ment,
We declare that it is utterly in
adequate in lis scope and unsatisfac-
tory in its details and should be re-
| jected nv the Irish nation and we re-
| gard the production Of such a mea sure
| bN al iJIilISI SoNtI pltdStu W
| home rulc rs confirmation Of the posi-
| ton we have always taken so that any
attempt to settle the Irish problem by
| half measures would be entirely I'M
| successful and we call upon the Irish
| party to oppose the bill in the House
| Of Commons and IrCss on the govern
ment. with all their strength and pow
| err to introduce measure for the eS-
Enlistment Of q native parliament
with 4 responsible executive, having
power over all purely Irish affairs and
at this crisis in the fortunes of Ire
| land VIC invite all the Nationalist
forces in the country to unite in sup
port of cur representatives in Parlia,
mont AMI enable them 10 effectively
press for the speedy and genuine set
Element or the Irish question"
Continuing Mr.. Redmond first denied
the criticism that he ana his col
leagues were committed to the bill. Or
the contrary lie declared, the trainers
of the measure had refused his ad-
wise as to the only safe basis on which
the proposed council could be found
ed. Tie Irish members of Parliament
were not committed to any part Of tbs
I'LL or to the government. They had