New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-05-06
PARTIAL HOME RULE.
DIVISIONS IN CABINET.
Mr. Asquith's Threat to Resi- gn-
Probable Terms of Bill.


London, May 5.-There has been keen con-
test goin~ on in the Cabinet the Irish
Council BILL the main proposals of which will be
| explained by Augustine Birrell. Chief Secretary
for Ireland. in the House of Commons on May Z
! The struggle has been between the home rulers
represented by Sir Henry Campbell Zimmerman
and Mr. Birrell. and the anti-home rulers led by
! ii. II. Asquith. Chancellor of the Exchequer and
| Richard Burden Haldane Secretary for War the
| FORMER being DESTROYS Of giving Ireland what
John Redmond has described at least foun-
cation for self-government and Messrs. Asquith
| and Haldane demanding that the bill shall not
| bear any resemblance 10 home rule Mr.. AS
! quith has gone far as TO say that II the bill
contains anything. In letter or in spirit incon-
slstent with or in violation OF the pledges which
he has made against home rule he will resign
ana there Is little doubt that he would be fol-
lowed by Mr.. Haldane and probably other mem
bers of the Cabinet
John Redmond has not been an idle spectator
IN these negotiations He has taken a proui
! nent part in them and has had every oppor-
| tunity to state his views, which at first set forth
| demand for the fullest measure of sef-govern-
| inent THIS 1t was early pointed out to him.
| lie could not expect TO obtain for two reasons.
nrst that the government had not received the
| mandate Of the people at the last election 10
grant home rule. and second that several of the
! most prominent members OF the Cabinet were
| opposed 10 IT, The Laborites all OF whom are
| home rulers-nOt only for Ireland but In all
| local affairs-have been supporting the Nation
elists but even this would justify Sir Henry
Campbell Bannerman In losing two members of
his Cabinet in whom the people have the great
est confidence
NATIoNALIsTS TO HOLD CONVENTION.
rr-fth
Irish Parliament with an executive responsible
TO 1t, Mr.. Redmond is carrying on the fight to
get as large an instaiment of home rule as Is
possible. Mr. Redmond had n conference On
saturday with his chief advisers including John
DILLON. Edwcrd Blake and T. p. O'Connor when
what the government was prepared 10 offer and
the attitude which the Nationalists would adopt
toward the measure were discussed. This will
be followed by a convention at Dublin in the
Whitsuntide recess. when the question will be
gone over and the Irish members OF Parliament
VIII be instructed as TO action. There is no
doubt that Mr.. Redmond's advice will be closely
followed. What the bill will contain. however and
whether 1t will be acceptable. those taken into
the confidence OF the leaders will say. they
having been bound to secrecy.
The only expression OF opinion obtainable was
from a more conservative Irish member OF the
House. who said: II think the bill will be
found TO be fairly favora ble." indicating that
while the Nationalist far from satisfied
they realize that Mr.. Birreu has gone ms far as
is possible without causing a disruption OF the
government and will accept the bill as a start
toward self government
In Liberal circles II IS admitted that the bill
cannot be what Irishmen desire or what the
English home rulers believe will be for the best
This admission is made time when General
OF he TraD
is making such a good impression I'm England
and the Orange River Colony which also was in
arms against Great Britain few years ago. Is i
about TO get constitution. IF these colonies
can be trusted TO govern themselves why not
Ireand?" is one OF the arguments OF the home
rsers. but thus far It has not been effective and
the best authorities say Mr.. Birrens bill will
not even touch the question OF legislation
PROBABLE CONTROL OF FINANCES
The most sanguine now only hope for a meas
ure giving administrative power through con-
troll Of expenditure TO an Irish Council. which |
will be for the greater part elective. all the |
Irish members of Commons being members thus |
obviating the necessity for separate elections |
The Unionst. or land owning minority I'm Ire |
land, will be represented by a nominative eIe- |
ment. for which the government will be re- |
sponsible Even this administrative power II |
is expected, Will be limited excluding Il IS |
said control over the Lord Lieutenancy. the |
Privy Council. the judiciary and the Grown
police. concession may be made by handing
over the Dublin Metropolitan Police to the
Council. This force must not be confounded
with the Royal Irish Constabulary, which II "a
said, will remain under the imperial govern
ment, but be reorganized under a scheme gem
orally acceptable to Irishmen
The Council will administer the Irish local
government board. which controls public insti
tutions. and also the Irish Board OF Works t,,o |
departments whose affairs occupy much time IN
the House of Commons. The departments ., |
Agriculture and Education also. doubtless viii |
be handed over to the Council
It was originally intended that a eovarnr,or. !
official should be President of the Council hut |
this was strongly opposed by Mr. Redmond WITH |
the result. II is said, OF the selection Of tho |
presiding officer being left for the Council IN |
decide. ~
This is far from settlement of Ireand's de |
Inaud for home rule. In the opinion of home |
rulers but they express the hope that the biII |
will be so framed that the powers of the Council |
fitness for sef-government Being n nnreIv
body. the great question II 10
pointed out. will be the amount which the gov |
eminent can obtain from the House az Co.. |
mans for the Council to spend. With the nres |
ent large democratic majority there might mot |
be any difficulty. but under less friendly GOV |
eminent the Council might have trouble In eat |
ling funds for carrying out schemes to which q |
majority in Parliament are opposed.