The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1912-04-20
Hailed by Friends and Enemies as
a Most Practical Measure of
elf.Government.
Exultation Running High Among
Ministerialists and Members of
Nationalist Party.
Generally Conceded That New Bill
is an Enormous Advance on
Previous Measures.

There is not cloud on the Home
Rule horizon according to the message
which T. P. O'Connor cabled to the
Chicago Tribune ON April 13. two days
after the bill was presented in parlia-
nent. Second impressions of the
Home Rule bill confirm the splendid
impressions made on it's first appear
ance, says the Irish Journalist.
The Orange organs still rave, but
the English progressives, both liberals
and labor members, hail the scheme as
wise and practical and there is an ut
ter absence of the spirit Of carping
criticism which met Gladstone's bills
and an equal absence of any revolt.
One liberal only, Sir Clifford Cary,
has pronounced against the bill, but
his hostility was anticipated for
months and he represents the unpopu-
lar capitalistic class, which was most
strongly opposed to all the claims of
the miners in the recent strike, and
was also one Of the few so-called lib
erals who strongly opposed Lloyd
Georges budget. He is, in fact, re-
dictionary, who ought to be On the tory
side instead of the liberal side, and al
ready has been repudiated by his con-
stituency. w
Asquith and Redmond Rejoice.
The exultation among the minister
ialists and the Irish members of par
lament runs high. Premier Asquith
and John Redmond, the Irish leader,
look years younger, and even cool OBJ
servers place -Asquith's speech on a
higher plane than any Of Gladstone's,
introducing similar measures, while
the liberals declare Redmonds speech
was the greatest of his life.
Ireland is enthusiastic in it's ap-
proval Of the measure, and even Will
liam O'Brien, the factionist leader, was
compelled to bless the bill, which is
larger than he expected. Although
willing to wound, he is yet afraid to
strike in the face of the splendid ad-
vance of this over the previous bills.
The verdict of the Irish convention
is a foregone conclusion. The Irish
Independent, factionist organ, while
grumbling that the bill does not meet
every demand, is compelled also to
declare it's knowledge that the accep-
tance of the bill by Ireland is inevit-
able.
Some Criticism Heard.
Some slight criticism continues Of
the constitution of the second Irish
senate by nominating. but this is an
academic point and most Of the rad
icals, even those who expected to
make trouble on this point, are con-
WINGED that the nomination offers a
better guarantee for democratic prog
ress than senate Of rich men on a
narrow franchise.
Finally, Home Rule plays today the
same part in revivifying the spirit of
hope for unity Of the liberal party
which, when the fortunes were low,
was played by Lloyd Georges budget
in 1908.
AS forecast the present Home Rule
bill figures quite differently from all
the previous measures. Home Rule for
years, although accepted by the lib
erals, was regarded as a rerilous en-
terprise involving certain and insur-
mountable danger to the fortunes OF
the liberal party, but today the Home
Rule measure not merely stirs enthusi-
asm in Ireland but restores the pres
tige of the ministry after the disas.
trous coal strike and the loss of some
by-elections.
Redmond, Dillon and myself met AS
: uuith. Birrell and Samuel for the las
time on Friday to discuss one of thu
final small details Of the measure, ant
both parties were full of equally hear
ty congratulations to each other To-
the splendid triumph Of their common
cause and common fortune.
The measure is an enormous ad
vance on all previous bills. In power
and in finance arrangements it is mor'
generous and bolder than anybody ex;
pected. Thus while under Gladstone
& first shSlls Iraland contributed $17,25O, ,OOl