The sun., 1916-10-08
Most Careful Native Student of Affairs Sees Hope for the Right Kind
Of Home Rule Made Possible by One of the Most Remarkable
Cooperative Movements World Ever Has Seen

FlTst. lTeIdnu may DcCOn1e an III
tegral part Of the United Kingdom.
Second: Some have claimed that it
might have a destiny as an independ-
emit country.
Between these two are the two re-
naming possible solutions.
THE third provides for an Ireland
with the status of a self-government
dominion, having complete control
over its own domestic affairs but del
cgating to an Imperial Parliament
control over military, foreign and
colonial policies.
THE fourth plan Is indicated in the
various schemes for self-government
suggested by Messrs. Gladstone and
Asquith.
"Of these four solutions 1t Is wis
dom to take stock.
'Union has been tried for ZIG years.
and to-day's state of Irish feeling
shows how unsuccessfully.
The theory OF an independent Ire
land, put forward by extremists, could
be realized only by breaking up the
British Empire. 1t is doubtful, too.
whether any small country really can
be independent at present. History
and the present condition of the small
European States with nominal indie
pendence show all to be constrained
in foreign trade and military policy by
their mightier neighbors. Holland. for
example, nominaily independent. a few
years ago was ordered to fortify her
coasts under the penalty that If she
did not Germany would step in and
do so.
Now. in contrast, 1t is quite likely
that the extremists in Ireland would
accept the status of a s~elf-governing
dominion as the equivalent Of their
ideal OF a self%-governing Ireland.
These extremists have shown them
selves to be men willing to die for
their ideals, and like all such men they
have a high honor Of their own. II
they accepted this through their
leaders they would abide by their
agreement with the same loyalty
shown by Botha and the Beers In
South Africa.
I'VE come now to the present home
rule scheme. The flaw In II is that IL
does not really eliminate the element
OF friction between England and Ire
land. There is no reason at all why
| England should give Ireland self-gov-
eminent unless thereby the Irish ques-
ton Is TO be settled. =
Whatever may be said OF two Par
| liaments. each with well defined and
separate zones OF action, nothing can
be said In favor OF two such bodies
whose powers OF taxation and lcgisla-
ton overlap. This is i~ndefensible in
theory and would be maddening in
practice.
Instead OF bringing about n settle
ment Of the dispute between England
and ireland. Irish minister's and a
large section of the Irish people would
be neglecting the power given them
for internal reform so that they might
make passionate efforts tn secure the
| power Of controlling their " trade
policy n taxation. which under the
home rule act are more the concern
| of the Imperial than of the Irish Par
lament.
always there would be Irish min
listers trying to get votes ~ twisting
the lions tail until It disgorged control
over Irish domestic affairs.
Under the present plan not enough
powers are given to the Irish Parlia-
ment to make it possible for an in
tcllectusl Irish politician to find in IL
a great career. Therefore the tendency
would be for second class men to seek
election for the sake of the jobs and
the influence rather than with the
hope of bringing about the realization
of large constructive schemes for the
building OF AN Irish civilization.
.sThn tpnnNnnf "a Salf-VnNaFninv Irp-
land has complete control of its intcrnal
affairs. however, that moment a real
friendship between England and Ire
land can begin, and. ! think, not before
Then ireland no longer could blame
Westminster for its woes. II woes II
had. It would be forced to accept its
own responsibilities.
mo sensible Irish people want Ire
land to have an army and II navy Of
her own. They realize that as a unit in
the Commonwealth Of the British En-
pire Ireland can get protection very
cheaply. In spite Of the spirit Of mill
tarism which in recent years has
sprung up In Ireland there is no real
demand for m army and navy OF her
own. Imperial control OF military,
naval, foreign and colonial policies
never could cause n bitter estrange-
ment. but 1t is different where domes-
tic affairs are concerned.
"There IL where the conflict would
arise, and IL Great Britain wants to
settle the Irish question and secure
the friendship OF the Irish people l,
must realize that there is no half way
house.
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