The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-01-21
IRISH HOME RULE CONTINGENT
CIES.

la order 10 arrive at a Cieai "H0A
s+.nding OF the Irish home rule situa-
,ion. and the prospects OF the bill
which passed the British House. of
commons the other day becoming
law. 10 is necessary 70 40 back 20 the
ns-liamentary act OF 1911, under which
mai veto power was taken from the
Lords az 10 general legislation nat
act provided that any new legislation
mat has been passed three times at
successive sessions by the Commons
and within the life of a single Parma
nent. should become law on Its thiro
massage without the consent OF the
upper chamber but two years must
slapse between the date OF the hrst
introduction OF the bill and the date
on which II passes the Commons the
third time
The home rule bill, which has just
passed the lower chamber. and Whlch'
il is conceded. will be thrown out by
tho Lords. was introduced in April. 1917
hence ii could not become law. over
the heads of tho Lords until some tune
next wear As the case now stands, IL
Will be seen. the only thing that can
prevent realization of home rule at the
end of the two years are dissolution OF
Parliament in the meantime, IN whlch
event legislation would have to begin
alb initio. even should the new Commons
he OF the same complexion as the pres
cnt, an adverse verdict from the coun-
try. or a successful rebellion in Ulster
IN the last named contingency there
i no reason 10 take serious stock, de
spite the threats and the warnings OF
The more virulent Unionists and cham
pions of Ulster. Touching dissolution
he indications against it are far stronger
than they were some months back ;
consequently there would appear no
small justification for John Redmond
hope and opinion that the current
measure will become law before the
existing Parliament expires by limi-
tation or otherwise-hope and opinion
he expressed in one of the most eIo-
auent. earnest and impressive speeches
ever delivered in the Commons.
Yet there are devoted friends OF
Ireland ardent and consistent sympa-
fhizers with the cause of home rule
who question if it would not be better
for Ireland, better for the cause, II
Redmond were mistaken and the issue
went TO the country. even at the risk
of an adverse mandate. which they are
confident, however. would only entail
delay These recognize that the chief
and a most serious weakness of the
home rulers in their case against ex-
eepting Ulster from the operations OF
the bill is inherent in the argument OF
the home rulers Themselves IN the
situation they are asking, should not
rhe golden rule apply as OF right and
policy?
1Discussing Sir Edward Carson's Ulster
cxcNsion amendment. which was voted
down. THE London Times says:
If Ulster had majority in an Irish
Parliament her rule would be Just as
much "a grievance 20 the south OF IRE,
land az Is the -S[ie of the Imperial
Parliament CLster wosfd have a stand
rug home rule question TO deal with.
though she might easily deal with IL
more wisely than this country has done
Conversely a South OF Ireland majority
rnust always have yet more iornhic-
able home rule question TO deal win
because Ulster can no more tolerate It's
rule than the south could tolerate
lister rule II demands Of that
kind are to be granted because they
are made, then logic requires that the
south of Ireland should have nome
rule. and that Ulster should not nave
home rule forced upon her
Il matters not that the Times is
steadfsstIy anti-home-rule: its logic Is
unacceptable and. from the Ulster point
Of view, absolutely conclusive Far
minded men a. a distance. be they
never 80 firmly convinced Of the justice
Of home rule a. whole. cannot but
concede the force OF the Times posi-
ton l. matters not again that Sir
Edward Carson's amendment 20 except
Ulster was Improbable. and would
have defeated the entire measure
wrecked it. a. AR. tsquith declared
che facts and the ccEency Of the Times
presentation. q bearing on listers side
md claims. cannot be changed. ~ is
conception and comprehension and
necessary admission OF tbs which have
led the class Of home rule sympathizers
--ho would have me issue 90 20 tho
.oun.rv q -heir conclusion Their
reason e found ir . coiloqgN v nlcn TOOK
place bssVsea ,Ir. Asouith and Bonar
Law during ire debate on the Carson
exclusion proposition. Tho Prime Min
ister prorounded ;hs direct and chai-
lenging question. whether IN the event
% .be home rule Hiu in Sc snai form
being submitted 90 che people OF This
country and approved o. them. the
touching Ulster. Ca-esorcsuy and
cbauenrinsiy. the leader % the opposi-
.ion replied that y ne biu were fairly
sabrnitted % Tire judgment % me coun-
try. and ire country approved %. BE-
md ne party would rot encourage
is.er % resist. Morcover. Nr Law
taank~e the government for IRE op-
rorturity 90 make TIE position ~ me
ourclrion clear.
me contention % tie home rule