The Irish standard., 1908-04-18
The Latter Owing to Ill Health Forced to
Retire to Private Life After Many
Years of Service.
His Successor in Office Not Popular With
Irish Party and Is Unfriendly to
Home Rule Cause.

Sir Henry Campbell Banncrlnan, the
British premier rendered his resigna-
tion to the king on Sunday, April 5.
The acceptance of the resignation was
officially announced Sunday night.
According to the court circular. Sir
Henry resigned on the urgent solicitu-
tion Of his medical advisers.
Sir Henry's condition remains un-
changed, according to the physicians
bulletin, The king. In telegraphing
his acceptance of the premter's resig-
nation, conveyed an expression Of his
regret and esteem. with best wishes
for Sir Henrys recovery.
Mr.. Herbert II. Asquith, chancellor
of tho cxchequer. who has acted as
leader Of the Liberals during the i'll
ness of Sir Henry, has been sum-
noncd to Biarritz by the king to form
a new cabinet.
So Along as Sir Henry Campbell
Zimmerman continued to direct the
policies Of the Liberal party there was
ground for strong hope that the prom
iso of home rule might be kept, but
now that it is probable that ''C.-B" IL
definitely out of politics, even if lie
RECEIVERS from his present serious ILL
ness. there is little chance of any i'm
mediate legislation for Ireland. Mr.
As1uitll, who is slated to succeed Sir.
Henry as premier. is bitter foe of
lreland's aspirations and he even went
the length of publicly declaring befor'
the last general election that he for
ono would not support 81 liberal homo
rule bill.
| Tho first fruits of the change OF pol
icy is seen in tho plight OF the con-
gcsted districts board, which has been
forced to suspend It's work for the time
being for lack OF funds. Mr.. Asquitll
is In control Of tho treasury and Mr..
| I'irrcll the chief secretary for Ireland,
who is credited with a. genuine desire
to do something for the country, de-
clares that the treasury blocks the
way. There never was IL time when
there was more need or the work of
tho board than tho present. It's his
tory since its formation in 1903 has
been IL disappointing one. SO far it
has only dealt with IL tenth of the land
placed at it's disposal and the way in
which 1t has been starved by the Eng
lisll treasury is shown by the follow
ing table of the funds at it's disposal
since it's organizations: 19O4-5, $3.247,-
72O; 1866, s1,733,53o: 1867, s544.-
3O5,
Sir Henry Campbell Bannerman was
a. consistent friend Of Irish home rulo
and the Nationalists had great hopes
of securing the passage of bill under
his leadership.
1t is admitted among the Nationalists
that the retircrnfnt of Sir Henry is a
hard blow for home rule, the only
comfort being drawn from tho appar-
ent intention OF Mr.. Asquith to leave
Secretary Birrcll in charge of the Irish
Office for the present
John Redmond. the Irish leader said
today: ut is undeniable that the res
ignation Of Mr.. Bannerman is a great
loss to Ireland. AS 10 Mr.. Asquith,
there is nothing TO say yet. J. do not
intend to attack him until / see what
he does or fails to do
In the house of commons MIR. Red
mond significantly compared the be-
reavement Of Ireland by the disappear
ance Of Campbell -Bannerman with the
loss caused by the retirement of Glad :
stone.
| There Is not an Irish Nationalist
in any part of the world" said Mr..
Redmond, who will not deeply de-
plorc that this consistent, brave, hon
orable friend of Ireland has been TAX
en- from the arena of public life
| The retiring premier was born in
Glasgow in 1886. Since 1868 he has