Kentucky Irish American., 1914-03-14
Declares Measure Sincere At
tempt to Give Ireland Stable
Government.
Would Exclude Ulsterites From
Operation of Bill For six
Years.
BONAR LAW AND CARSON OBJECT

The British Governments plan
for the conciliation OF the Unionists
of Ulster in connection with the
Irish home rule bill, was laid before
the House of Commons Monday. II
met with a cool reception from the
Unionists. The terms Of Premier
Asquith's offer were that poll
should be taken Of the Parlia-
mentary electors of each county of
Ulster to decide whether they should
be excluded from the operation of
the bill for a period Of six years
from the first meeting of the new
Irish Parliament. This would un-
doubtedly result in the exclusion
from Irish home rule of the coun-
ties of Antrim, Armagh, London
derry and Down. The announcement
was made before an unusual gather
ing of distinguished persons, who
listened with intense interest to
Premier Asquiths clear-cut speech,
lasting an hour. Just before the
conclusion of his address the Pre-
mier remarked that nobody was in
love with exclusion for its own sake,
and continued:
"I do not expect that these pro-
posals will be received with en-
thusiasm. But ask for them
deliberate end dispassionate consid
GRAFTON. They offer to the men of
Ulster free choice and the certainty
that their political standing can not
be changed without the assent OF
the Imperial Parliament. | see no
road to any other agreed settlement
in which the proposition to give and
take is likely to be so fairly ad-
justed."
In the course OF his speech the
Premier pointed out that the Gov
Iernment had chosen the period OF
six years because 1t would give
ample time to test the working of
the Irish Parliament. and also an
opportunity to the electors of the
United Kingdom. guided by that
experience. to pronounce whether
the exclusion of the counties of
Ulster should come to an end. In
the meantime education and local
government in the excluded coun-
ties would be dealt with locally by
the creation of local boards.
Andrew Bonar-Law. leader Of the
opposition, objected TO the six-year
limit. He urged the dissolution of
the Imperial Parliament and the
same sort OF referendum for the
United Kingdom as the Government
was offering to the counties OF
Ulster.
John e. Redmond. leader Of the
Irish Nationalist party. said his party
was willing to make great sacrifices
a.. ~. 1.
to the extreme limit OF concessions.
While the Iiish Nationalists disliked
the proposals, still IL their opponents
accepted them frankly his col
leagues we're prepared to do the
same. Otherwise 1t was the Govern
ments duty to press the home rule
bill with all the resources at its
command.
Sir Edwarod Carson. leader OF the
Ulster Unionists. declared. ulster
will not have this proposal. which
means a sentence OF death with
stay OF execution" In behalf of
Ulster he rejected the proposals, but
said that Il the Government would
withdraw the six-year limit he would
call an Ulster convention for con-
sideration OF the plan.
Home rule in Ireland. with the
four Protestant counties in the
province. OF Ulster-Antrim Arm
agh. Londonderry and Down
retaining for six years their old
standing in the United Kingdom
outside the Jurisdiction of the Dub
lin Government, would in the gem
eral opinion expressed in Parliament
be the result of the compromise
offered by Premier Asquith. The
nine counties OF Ulster are to be
allowed TO hold a separate referen-
dunn as to whether they will accept
home rule, and the view is gem
eralally taken that there can be no
doubt OF the result.
Premier Asquith, In admitting
that all negotiations for a settlement
had left the party leaders as far
apart as before, said the Government
had adopted the proposed plan as
the price Of peace. During the six
years interim" he said, "the coun-
try at large could Judge OF the sue
cess Of the home rule government,
and the Parliament OF the United
Kingdom would then decide whether
the excluded counties should come
under the Dublin Government.
The difficulties OF this plan he
freely conceded. The members OF
the opposition received the plan
without enthusiasm. Andrew Bonar-
Law. leader OF the opposition. said
II II represented the last word the
situation was very grave.