, 1916-10-25

been accorded. Inc dlulcult taSK Oh ine
Nationalist to popularize the army had been
systematically thwarted. The new National
University was not allowed to organize an
officers training corps, while a number of
privileges had been granted to Trinity
University. He complained generally of
the sympathetic attitude of the War OF
fee in regard to various measures sug-
gested 10 popularize recruiting III Ire
land. The final blow came in the formation
of the coalition Government with the inclu-
sion OF Sir Edward Carson. He said that he
had prayed Mr.. Asquith TO leave Ireland out
of the coalition. The Premier had refused
and the result was fatal. From that day
things went from bad to worse, and finally
came the rebellion of a number OF mad men,
for which all Ireland was blamed. He was
convinced that if the rising had been dead
with in the spirit with which General Botha
dealt with the rising Ill South Afrca, 1T
would have meant the saving OF the sttua-
tion. Mr.. Redmond asked what was the
purpose of the Government III setting up o
Uuionist Administrator i'll Dublin, and what
they proposed to do. He said, let the Gov
eminent withdraw martial law and put in
command Of the forces in Ireland q man who
has not been connected with the unhappy
transactions of the past, let the administers
tion Of the Defence of the Realm Act be
carried into effect by the same machinery MS
i'll Great Britain, let the 500 untlled pTlson-
ers be released, let the penal servltude prl~
soners be treated as political prisoners, let
the Government trust The Irish psople by
putting the Home Rule Act i'll operation.
AS one who had honestly done his best
and who was prepared to continue hon
estIy to do his best to win the war,
no matter what the risks to his popu-
larity and influence might be, be begged
the Government to hearken seriously to his
warning advice. Mr.. Henry Edward Duke,
the Chief Secretary for Ireland, said the
real question was whether when Great Bri-
tain was fighting for her existence, Ireland
from one cause or another should stand
aside. The 500 prisoners in gaoI were ring
leaders and could not be Released. AS to
Home Rule, the real obstacle was the dis
agreement among lrishmen themselves. In
regard to martial law, he said the Govern
ment must bide it's time. Mr.. j. p. O'Con-
ner said that Mr.. Dukes speech simply
meant coercion, and the whole history of
Ireland proved that coercion was useless.
The present administration of Ireland was
incompatible with the principles for which
the Allies are fighting. Sir John Simnon,
the former Home Secretary, commended that
the continuance of Martial Law in Ireland
was needless. Mr.. Asquith said that Mr..
Redmond's suggestion for filling up with
Irishmen the wasted ranks of the gallant
Irish division would receive the most care
full attention. No man had rendered more
constant, loyal or effective service in re-
~cruiting, he declared, than the Irish leader.
Repudiating the allegation that Dublin cas-
tie was being run by a Unionist Administra-
ton The Premier said that it must be remem-
bered that they were dealing with a provi-
sional institution. Martial Law, in the COM
monty accepted sense, was not being applied
to Ireland. The Premier said that the
atmosphere now existing in Ireland could
only be dispersed by an agreed settlement.
Mr.. Lloyd George hoped that the men of
all parties would help Mr.. Redmond to
solve his difficulties. He desired to see this
gallant and warlike people brought back
to their original temper at the outbreak of
the war. Everybody in England and the
men of all parties in Ireland should consider
how to remove the causes of injustice, dis
trust, and suspicion between the two races,
which rendered it impossible for them to
cooperate. 1 believe it can be done, said
the Secretary. am making this appeal as
Secretary of War because / know how vital
it is that everything the empire can do in