The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1913-12-13
LONDON NEWS LETTER

minded politician in England. II not
the whole people, is anxious 20 see a
settlement OF the home rule question
that will and the long drawn out bat
tie between the two conflicting parties
in Ireland, and most Of the statesmen
Of the, kingdom, both those in active
service and those who have retired,
have been contributing something at
least towards that end
The prime minister and the English
uniorfst leaders to whom the people
are looking to find a ray out of the
situation, which has become serious
because Of the threatened revolution
Of Ulster If the present bill is passed,
and a. still greater revolution involving
the rest OF ireland if home rule is not
granted, have therefore received lots
Of advice. Presnt indications are that
the government will adopt, inits over
lures to the opposition, the caurse
suggested by Lord mcdonnell and
Sir Edward Grey, namely, home rule
within home rule or administrative
autonomy for Ulster province. There
has been a great deal Of talk of the
temporary exclusion of Ulster. from
the operation Of the bill, but this is
not considered possible, mainly be-
cause both Irish parties are strongly
opposed to a settlement Of those lines.
The n~ationalists first and all the time
are for a united Ireland. This is a
matter Of sentiment just as much as it
is a matter of revenue. The unionists,
on the other hand, feel that a. temper |
airy respite from home rule would re-
move none Of the objections to the bill.
Furthermore, they say to accept such
a settlement would amount to the re-
sertion of the Protestants living in the
south Of Ireland, who, they contend,
are just as much opposed to home rule
as are those of Ulster.
On the government side the etXcIu-
sion of the Protestant counties presents
untold difficulties. In the first place
the whole home rule bill would have
to be recast and it is just possible that
in attempting to do this the govern
ment might entirely wreck the work
of the last few years. Under the
parliamentary act which, by curtailing
the veto power of the house of lords,
made home rule possible in the first
place, the house of commons cannot
amend a bill after it has been once re-
iected by the lords. 1t can, however,
make suggestions to the ripper house,
which the latter is at liberty to amend,
reject or accept.
In this case it would be necessary
to, amend the financial provisions of
the bill; for was Ulster excluded ma
tionalist Ireland, would require a big
ger grant from the imperial eXchequer.
Now the house Of lords has no control
over financial matters and should it, on
the suggestion of the house of COM
mons, amend the financial provisions Of
the bill, the question might be raised
that it was a breach of privilege. This,
too, is only one of the parliamentary
tangles hat might arise should the
settlement make it necessary to amend
the bill drastically. Besides the gov
} eminent, before the bill was introduce
! ed, considered the question of the eX-
c1usion of Ulster and decided against
1t on these and other lines.
Renewed interest is being taken in
the question of Welsh d~isestablish7
| ment, of immense importance to the
church and churchmen. A stirring
speech against the bill vas delivered
recently by the archbishop of Canter-
bury, n a demonstration was ar
ranged to be held in London as a pro-
test against the government proceed
ing with the measure, which under
the parliament act automatically be-
comes law after it's next passing by
the house of commons, no matter
8 what action the house of lords takes.
o . There is no doubt that. much of the
= apathy which heretofore had been
r shown by the layment of the Church
a OF. England in regard to the bill arises
from the fact that, like home rule for
Ireland. it has been suggested that the
I bill should be the subject of Compro-
v mise. On the other hand, there is the
: whole body of Welsh nonconformist
q opinion. backed by co-religionists in
i every part Of the United Kingdom.
For forty years now the Welsh
, nonconformists have been urging the
disestablishment of the church In
. their municipality, and today disestab-
l 1ishment is supported by the whole
. liberal party, as well as the national
y lists, and there are many unionists
who believe that it would not be g
bad thing for the church. Most of the
: opposition, however, bitterly oppose it
The bill among other things provides
that so far as Wales and Monmouth
8 are concerned, the Church of England
a will cease to be established by law; al
|~cathedrals Iii ecclesiastical corpora
tons will be dissolved; the bishops OF
a the four Welsh dioceses will cease to BIZ
o members Of the hous of lords; thu
10 present ecclesiastical law will cease tt
exist as law. and no ecclesiastical cour
If will have any coercive jurisdiction
d the bishops and clergy will not b.
members of or be represented il tn,
houses of convoCation Of the PROVING,
Of Canterbury. .. III 50
After diSestablishment the bishops
q clergy and laity will he free to hol,
synods and to frame regulations 70
the government otfhe church., and il
event of a representative body beini
w appointed, the government will b,
charter incorporate it so that TIL
: church, property may be vested in II
So that the clergy may suffer no los
:, SO long as they hold office and wi
continue to enjoy the, use of their pal
aces and residences. Should any, how
=. ever, after five years desire to retire,
- a life compensation will be granted then
" .
- sLest We Forget"