Kentucky Irish American. (Louisville, Ky.) 1898-1968, 1912-04-13
Financial Problems Forms the
Great Problem Confront
ing Measure.
Only Danger Lies I'm Uncertain.
tyof Liberals Retaining
Power.
APPROVED BY IRISH LEADERS

THE barometer is set fair and Ii
rising" was the declaration Of John
e. Redmond Saturday at the Kings.
town pier. The Irish Nationalist
leader was on his return to London
TO resume conferences with the Cab
met on important points in the home
rule bill to be introduced in the
House of Commons Thursday. These
conferences are carried on in the
historic Cabinet room in Downing
street, where for the first time Irish
Nationalists have been received
rhe drafting of the bill has been
entrusted to a Cabinet committee
which reports periodically to the
whole Cabinet. The Prime Minister
presides over the committee and the
irish leaders, who heretofore have
rather distrusted Asquith on the
home rule, have found him the most
liberal of all the members of the
Cabinet when points of differences
have arisen.
The bill will resemble Gladstone's
1898 scheme in several important
particulars, especially the retaining
Of forty Irish members in the I'm
oerial Parliament for imperial pur-
poses and the creating OF an upper
house in Dublin of about the same
number. The first intention was to
have one-fourth OF the Upper House
nominated but in view OF the pend
Ing reform of the House of Lords
the Radical Ministers thought that
would establish an awkward pre-
cedent, as they are against any nom
mated element here. This point is
still unsettled The Irish members
are against a nominated element,
but would assent to 1t II the Irish
minority would accept It as security
For their protection. The constab-
is to be gradually ytrRnsformed.
into a civil force, being now consti-
tuted on a military basis. When the
transformation is complete 1t will be
placed under the control of the Irish
Parliament. This is also a point
which may yet be modified. There
will be prohibition against the en-
iowment or other preferential treat
ment of any religious faith. The
control of the armv and navy and the
foreign policy will remain wholly
with the Imperial Parliament, but
he Irish Parliament will be empow-
ared to deal with all matters except
hose that are expressly reserved.
The financial ARRANGEMENTS are
proving the crux OF the whole
scheme and are still a subject Of
consideration. A small party in
ireland demands control of the GUS
toms and excise. which were re-
served to the Imperial Parliament in
the Gladstone bills. Chairman Red
mond regards this demand as an ef-
tort TO embarrass the Nationalist
party and belittle any home rule
scheme II obtains from the Govern
nent Certainly the demand comes
wholly from the Unionists and n few
disaffected Nationallsts, who think
such o concession would give them a
powerful argument against the bill
With the English electorate. II is
that compromise has
been arranged by Redmond under
which the Irish Parliament will have
the power to levy certain imposts,
according to Ireland's special needs.
with the assent Of the Imperial Par
lament
The Irish National convention
will assemble in Dublin April 23 to
pass upon the bill. and It is stated
that John r. Redmond. John Dillon
and T. p. O'Connor. who know what
the bill is, are quite satisfied that
the convention viii accept II by an
overwhelming majority, II not unan-
lmously.
II is not an Ulster revolt--which
Is mainly bluff-nor the action OF
tbe National convention that now
threatens home rule. but the ability
of the present Liberal Government
to survive the two more sessions
needed TO carry the bill over the veto
Of the House Of Lords. No one can
sreek nosltively on that point, and
although the present omens are
not particularly favorable. owing to
the current unponularity OF the In
surance act and the reactlonary ef-
feet % the labor unrest, these influ-
ences may prove only transitory.