New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-08-13
THE OUTLOOK FOE HOME Rule

British politics centres in Home Rule
for Ireland. That has been clear to all
who look beneath the surface, from the
beginning of the present constitutional
controversy. The conflict arose nomi-
pally over the budget and its land tax.
But that was a prete1t rather than q
reason. for it was a foregOne Conclu-
sion that in the end the Lords would
Weld on that aS on every finance bill.
But the Irish leader. the most astute
and resourceful since O'Connell, was
quick to perceive and TO improve the
opportunity. The Liberals could use the
Lords foolish rejection of the budget,
though the Lords would not persist in
it. as a pretext for demanding legiSla-
tor which would free the Commons
from the veto power of the Lords, and
W hen that was secured not only Radi-
cal budgets but also Il Home Rule bill
could he passed without trouble That
was Mr. Redmond's Shrewd plan Of
campaign. and he was able TO secure its
execution by making it the price of
that Irish support which was essential
TO Liberal control of the Commons.
All the essential details of this scheme
have now been pretty frankly disclosed,
even to the circumstance that the
granting of Home Rule was discussed
with the King when his guarantees for
the creation of peers were sought. 1t
is reasonable. therefore, TO expect that
"a Home Rule bill similar to that of
Gladstone and Parnell will pretty
promptly be introduced into Parliament
ana will he if possible pressed TO pas
sage before the expiration of the pres
cnt Parliamentary term. That will be
quite possible, barring unforeseen com
r!ications. under the terms of the law
which is now being enacted, and its
achievement will be one of the most
notable parliamentary successes in mod
crn British history 1t will afford an
unexpected fulflmcnt Of GladstOne's
famous remark about the necessity Of
"mending or ending the House of
Lcrds. process which he threatened
for precisely the same reason as that
for which. the Lords have now been
shorn of their power.
II will he possible, of course, for the
Lords TO delay the enactment of Home
Rule for two years. and that is an I'M
uortant consideration. because many
things may happen in that time. 1t
would be extraordinary but by no means
unprecedented. and, Of course, not
impossible. for the government to fall
over some issue before two years
have passed. or for some complications
TO occur which would prevent the final
enactment Of Home Rule. The POSSIBLE
ity of that will make the opponents Of
Home Rule sincerely grateful that
through the triumph of Lord Lans-
downe'S policy the House of Lords has
been left with the will 10 exercise its
newer 10 the utmost for such delay.
Had Lord Halsbury's policy prevailed
there would presently have been a
Uouse of Lords favorable 10 Home Rule,
and then. instead OF being compelled to
wait for two years and run the many
risks Of disaster which lurk in so long
a period. Home Rule might have been
rushed through in Il couple of weeks.
Yp,at Home Rule will now come up. for
massage two years hence may be re-
oarded AS certain What may happen
i'm two wears is faScnatingIy uncertain.
os also i the extent 10 which the pres
ont Parliament can bind lis successors
with an irrcpealable enactment.