Kentucky Irish American., 1912-02-17
Opens and Passage of Home
Rule Bill Appears
Inevitable.
The End OF the Long Ftght
Is Undoubtedly In
Sight.
powers of the Irish Parliament
Are Not Yet
Decided.
WILL COMPRISE TWO CHAMBERS

The second Parliament OF King
George, which was prorogued on
necember 16 last, reassembled
"Wednesday. The opening OF the
proceedings was marked with little
ceremony. owing to the court mourn
no for the. Duke of Fife. The session
promises to have a notable place IN
British history. Already u
oopularly spoken OF as the nome
rule session." from the fact that,
nnless all things go wrong, 1t Will
see the enactment of measure that
win make home rule for Ireland an
accomplished fact, after more than
FORTY years of unceasing agitation
and fighting. The end OF the long
tight is undoubtedly in sight. the
irish Nationalist party holds the
balance of power in the House OF
Commons, and by throwing its
strength with the Liberals has helped
the party in power, and has sus-
tanned the Government in the recent
,rises. Now in accordance with a
definite understanding and agree
ment. the Liberal Government is TO
return the favor by introducing
home rule bill A long Parlia-
mentary struggle is anticipated be-
fore the measure is gotten into satis-
factory shape, but it's ultimate pass
age is nevertheless assured.
The provisions OF the home rule
bin to be introduced by Premier As
1uith now form the staple topic OF
discussion in all quarters. In some
Of its important features the meas
are undoubtedly will be modelled
closely after Gladstone's second
home rule bill, while in other re-
spects there will be radical differ
ances. It Is certain that the Ministry
ss ts1sp=cside Tor the eJeat i2n
Of an Irish Parliament to sit at
Dublin and to consist of two cham
bers. the higher branch to be made
up of about fifty members and the
popular branch TO have a member
shin of probably twice that number.
The proceedings of the Dublin Par
lament will be confined to the
purely internal affairs OF Ireland.
According to present plans 1t shall
exercise no control with respect to
the navy, army or militia, foreign
policy, coinage, military camps or
coast lighting, and Will be forbidden
70 establish or endow any religion
or deal with any religious matter.
This latter provision is Intended TO
meet the charges of the Unionists
that an Irish Parliament would
make the Roman Catholic the State
religion.
whether the Irish Parliament win
control the excise customs is a
point not yet determined. But what
ever the decision In this direction It
certainly will be accompanied by q
provision for free trade between Ire
land and Great Britain. Ireland is
expected to continue to have a rep
resentation in the Imperial Parlia-
ment, but probably In greatly
diminished numbers.
Here are the milestones IN the
struggle that has continued unceas-
lngly for forty years:
1S70-Home Government Associa-
ton established In Dublin.
1S74-A motion in the Commons
in favor of home rule defeated.
1S79-Movement for home rule
took definite shape.
18SO-Charles Stewart Parnell
chosen Parliamentary leader OF the
home rule party.
1SS2-Parnell. entered into nego-
tiations with Gladstone.
1SS6-Gladston introduced his
nrst home rule bill and delivered a
famous speech In support OF 1t. The
bill was summarily rejected.
1SSs-Lord Salisbury in speech
ridiculed the agitation IN favor oi
home rule in Ireland.
lS90-Parnell was reelected
leader of the Irish party.
1s91-Parnell died and John p
Redmond succeeded him as Parlia
mentary leadr.
1892 Resolution for giving home
rule separately to England. ireland
Scotland and Wales rejected by the
Commons.
1S9s-Gladston introduced hi
second home rule bill. which passed
the House OF Commons. only TO b.
killed by the House OF Lords.
1909-The Liberal Government
in a desperate position. sought al
alliance with the Irish Nationalists
The latter agreed to support tn
budget and other Government meas
ures with the understanding that
home rule bill would be introduces
and passed.
1910--A measure was passed linn
lting the veto power OF the House o
Lords. which removed the last grea
obstacle In the path OF the home rul
movement.
LIVED MANY YEARS.