The Washington herald., 1910-11-09
FEDERALISM IN
GREAT BRITAIN


Careful observers OF political moves
have been conscious for some time OF
growing inclination on the part OF British
statesmen in favor OF federalism. This
tendency has been stimulated by the con-
troversy in the House OF Lords. and the
issue known as Home rule all around
is coming more and more 10 the front in
England. and even may influence the de-
libeT6tions OF the Council OF Eight. II
takes a true optimist 10 entertain the
hope that the statesmen who are con-
ferring now will arrive az an agreement
which will settle the constitutional ques-
ton for all time. But even IL their de-
alterations fail they are bound to have a
far-reaching influence upon future British
home politics
Whatever the outcome Of the con
ference, Il may be predicted almost with
certainty that IL viii lead 70 some OF the
powers Of the imperial Parliament being
devolved upon national assemblies in Ire
land. Scotland. and Wales. which pro-
gramme will appear largely in the efforts
Of the Liberal party henceforth. And II ii
comes TO a climax, Ireland's incessant
demand for home rule, pressed so vigOr-
ously and for many years, has established
her right 10 priority OF treatment.
In many respects the Irish case stands
alone, mixed up as II is with the mem
DRY and results of historic wrongs and
injustices for which there is nothing
analogous In Scotland or in Wales Be
sides. there IS a profound economic diff
ference between ireland and Great Bri-
tain. Economically, and taking the view
from the structure Of society. there IS
- Ifcffwrrsrf-h a.
land, from England. But II Is quite diff
ferent with ireland. Thus the case for
Irish home rule seems irresistible, apart
even from any ultimate ideal of a feder-
ated empire But obviously. many diff
culties and obstacles 70 Irish self-gov-
eminent will disappear when it is realized
that IFS concession viii be a part of the
great federal project or home rule.
It is noteworthy that Mr.. John Red
mond and Mr. T. P. OConnor. than
whom there are no shrewder students
Of the signs Of the times, during their
tour Of the United States warmly ap-
proved OF home rule for Ireland as a part
OF the larger plan Of evolution into ma
tionaI assemblies and preparing a road
10 ultimate federal unity. Add TO these
/ declarations by the Nationalist leaders
the speech by Mr.. BurTen before the
Eighty Club, favoring home rule all
around" and the recent and similar dec
| larations by the chancellor of the ex-
chequer; also that shortly before Parlia-
ment adjourned Scottish Liberal mem
bers formed an association TO promote
the establishment Of a national assembly
| at Edinburgh Unless 7 err, that NOV ?
, e. --sfa tsrr
the Liberal leaders. and not at all with
| disfavor. as some papers try to make you
| believe.
| Some method of relieving the House of
| Commons Of the crushing burden OF
business which the imperial Parliament
now has TO transact has become neces-
sary. The quantity Of work TO be gone
/ through by the house Is enormous. And
/ that naturally goes a great way 10
/ further the efforts of the Nationalist.
Take. for instance the German empire
Us numerous capital cities rich in life,
| enterprise. and color. show how much
! the whole gains. from an autonomy of
1 its parts, each apparently free and in
dividual, but still united in indissolubIe
bonds.
Then this plan OF home-rule-all-a
! has this further advantage-that by au-
| tomato action il would settle practically
| the vexed question of the House of
| Lords veto. With ireland governed ac-
| cordng 10 irish ideas. Wales according
10 WEIGH and Scotland according 10
| Scotch ideas. most if not all the per-
ennlal quarrels with the House of Lords
would be removed. In fact. given a plan
! of Observation-Disclosures. with the re-es-
/ tablishment of the supremacy Of the
| House Of COmons beyond all doubt or
attack over the finances of the empire
there are many Liberals, despite their
| fierce attacks on the lords. who would not
be content TO leave the House of Lords
/ just as il stands, with all of its imper-
fections
Political leaders, both Conservative and
liberal. begin to look upon 'devolutiOn"
(the British term coined for the present
issue) as a preparatory step toward a
federal congress at Westminster not an
like the one under the republican Consti-
tuition In Washington. in which the CO.
lonial possessions also would find repre-
sentation That was the one idea OF
Cecil Rhodes. and It Is to-day the idea
of his disciple, Earl Grey, governor gen
eral OF Canada, whose former antipathy