The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-01-16

majority. where for generations religion
and politics have been mixed up and un-
der the control of the majority who have
complete control of education and patron
age? Ulstermen will be in the Irish
parliament to be taxed, not to tax
Mr.. Baifour concluded by comparing the
case of Ulster to that of the rebelling
American colonies. He said:
Something will arise to stir the people
of this country and make them realize
what 1t is that Ulstermen complain of. If
blood be spilled-which God forbid-the
real assassins will be those who have
never had the courage to face the situa-
tion."
A Practical Reality
In reply the prime minister said
"The sentiments. traditions and moral
and economic conditions which have made
tho Irish question what it now is have
not been taken into consideration by the
right honorable gentleman. In spite of
past history the Irish nationalist move
ment has passed from the stage of senti-
ment. and is now an organized and prac-
ticsl reality.
I'VE cannot ignore these facts that IL
this bill is rejected we will still find
standing in our path the organized and
permanent expression of the demand of
a majority of the Irish people. In view of
the strength of this demand what are the
opposition going to do?
He asked-and loud Irish and liberal
cheers greeted the challenge-if Ireland
held different portion than any province
of the empire, and continued
I'll would be pedantry, not statesman
ship, to treat her in any other way than
that proposed under the BILL
What is the claim put forward in be-
half of Ulster, or rather those particular
countries situated in the northeastern part
of the province?'' he demanded. rs 1t the
minority's right to be protected, to be
protected not only against injustice, but
against suspicion or apprehension of in
justice? / would go to any length in that
direction. But the plan put forward to
defeat a great constitutional demand is
absolutely fatal to democratic govern
nent.'
Bitter Words Spoken
Mr.. Asquith ridiculed the idea of
friction between the two parliaments
under the bill and reminded Mr.. Bal
four that he had predicted with equal
confidence the consequences of what
he characterized reckless experiment
of political folly in granting self-gov-
ernment to South Africa.
The prime minister concluded:
"In building great empire it is al
ways necessary to take the risks we
run. We have been justified by expert
ence-We nave nau our reward, more
than our reward-in the increased 10y
atty and affection of the empire as a
whole. We bclieve--confidently believe
that this viii happen again.
ut is no use now analyzing the
shortcomings on one side or the other,
as II Weighing in the balance the bur-
den of blame. On both sides bitter
words have been spoken, bad things
done. Almost from the first unkindly
fate seemed to brood over these two
islands TO Illustrate their common life
and sever their national unity. Time
after time. when they were coming
together the web which seemed about
to be woven of reciprocal interests and
affection has been torn asunder, as
under the spell of some malignant fate.
Let us do our part to exercise once
for all this baleful influence and join
two peoples meant to be one. whom
the chances of history, the seeming
caprice of fortune, the follies and pas
sions of men have kept apart, in fruit
full and enduring union"