The Irish standard., 1917-02-03

Bill time will tell and the decision is
not far off. Policy opportunism and
national defense are the forces work.
ing for concessions if not surrender
Of the Unionist Party. The fate of
Ireland is a world question today in
separately linked with international
! war problems. The German ship at
tempting to land 10000 rifles and ma
chine guns on the shores of disaf-
fected Kerry but eight months since
is grim spectre which the Unionists
! hope never to see again if Home
Rule is made into reality. In Derry
and in Antrim and Down these views
are being exchanged. The prospects
of a settlement are considered the
brightest in three years.
Word has been received here that
Baron Shaughnessy of Canada, rail-
| way magnate, has agreed to re-or-
ganize the Irish railway system and
assist in establishing Industries along
| the lines if Home Rule is agreed to
| and Parliament granted. At present
the Irish railways have been taken
! over by the government as a result
| Of disaffection among the railway en-
| ployees. No Sim Fein supporter is
tolerated as an employee.
Will CONSUMPTION Follow?
There is not much genuine feeling
for enforced military service as we
have been led to believe was so gen
eral among the irish loyalists. The
demand is only on the surface. Their
skins are safe and secretly they are
praying that Ireland continue in being
exempted. They are all at work
in shops and shipyards and they
prefer the plan of starving the
Nationalist from employment thus
forcing the unfortunates into the
Army. Equality of sacrifice is the
term used and the Tory munition
worker, we'll paid, consoles himself
by the thought that he is working for
his country at home and, if the Ma
tionalist or the Sin Feiner cannot find
work, as he cannot leave the island,
he will finally drift into the nav Of
the Military Service act.
| On this one essential point, the saw
ing of their lives. they will exert their
influence on the side of the Irish party
| To ,,rovont concentration vCbov fool
that Mr.. Redmonds leadership has
saved them from being forced into the
army. The credit which is given to
the Irish party leader for preventing
CONSUMPTION thus far has saved his
position as the official party head. Ul-
ster has furnished one-half the troops
from Ireland and probably three
fourths of the Irish war loans. The
casualty list shows the killing off of
the last of many families of the old in
vaders. The most loyal naturally went
into the army. Those who are left
want an excuse not to go. Therefore,
many of them will yield to Home Rule
If not coupled with CONSUMPTION. A
frightful state of immortality exists
among returning soldiers which causes
Christians to mourn. The hospitals
are filled with victims of loathsome
diseases from which Ireland was large
ly free before the war.
Lord Wimbourne for Home Rule.
The Lord Lieutenant on the occasion
of his visit to Belfast is said to have
secured the support of some thirty
Belfast linen manufacturers for an
Irish autonomy measure.
He is understood to have worked
out scheme which as outlined will
be submitted to the Colonial Premiers
at their conference soon to take place
in London. If the colonies insist on
Irish Home Rule as necessary meas
ure of war defense no doubt a unani-
nous recommendation to that effect
from the self-governing overseas coun-
tries Of the Empire, whose support
must be held to continue the war, will
force the House of Lords and the Com
mons to agree on an Irish government |
bill for the safety of the Empire
Launched in such an impressive pro.
gram Ulster opposition would be
smothered. The Orange lodges are
gathering their forces preparing to
meet the blow but they have new or
der to face, world in arms. And the
bones Of the many militant Orange
men lie bleaching on far distant war
Ao1do