The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1917-03-24
Home RULE
IS SHELvED BY
LLOYD GEORGE

LLOYD GEORGE
Principle of Nationality Regulated in
the Declaration That Government Is
With Ulster in Its Demand for Ex-
cIusion.
ASSOCIATED Press Report Of Debate
in Commons.)
London, March THE presentation
by the Irish Nationalists in the House
of Commons this evening of resolu-
ton calling for the immediate appli-
cation of the Home Rule statute to
Ireland precipitated one of the most
bitter sessions in months and threw
the Home Rule question back into its
old position of uncertainty.
The resolution forced the govern
ment into declaration of policy
toward self-government, namely, that
any part of Ireland that wished Home
Rule could have it, that no coercion
would be employed to compel Ulster
to accept it. At the same time the
proposal drew from the Obstetrics the
ultimatum that they would not &C.
cept, which, coupled with the govern
ment's announcement, effectually
crushed all hopes for speedy settle
ment.
NationaIists In Conference.
The Nationalists tonight, headed by
their leader, John Redmond, were in
conference, having withdrawn in
body from the House Of Commons and
Lloyd George was facing his first en-
barrassing situation since he assumed
the premiership.
For more than an hour before the
Nationalist left the House the pre-
mier had faced whirlwind of angry
censure from the Nationalist quarter,
which at times forced him to take his
seat because he could not make him
self heard. He was called turn
coat" on the Home Rule question, and
one Nationalist exclaimed: Hang
man Carson! He's only fit to be
hangman, not first lord of the Admir-
atty"
The Nationalist resolution was in
troduced by T. P. O'Connor, who as
serted that the manner in which the
government had handled the Irish re-
bellion had transformed a friendly
people into one filled with bitter hatred
against England. He pleaded that
Home Rule should be put into opera
ton Immediately for the sake Of Ire
land and in the interests of England,
the empire and the Allies.
At one point in his address he paid
tribute to the president of the United
States, saying that President Wilson
in his recent speeches and notes had
shown that the United States govern
ment recognized the rights of small
nations and the principle of national
ity. He called attention to the valiant
service rendered by the Irish troops
at the front and asserted that tthey
had enlisted with the understanding
that Home Rule was to be applied to
their country. In conclusion he said
there were only two ways of remedy
settlement or coercion. He favored
settlement.
Mr.. O'Connor was followed by Will
liam A. Redmond, who made an i'm
FASHIONED plea for compromise be-
tween the Nationalists and Unionists
and sat down amid the applause OF
the House.
Thus far things had been running
smoothly, but Sir John Lonsdale
speaking for the Unionists, threw q
wrench into the machinery by declar
ing that Ulster wanted nothing to dc
with Home Rule of this sort, and sar
castically remarked that his section Of
Ireland had furnished troops and
money from pure patriotism and with
out hope of gain for themselves.
Premier Lloyd George followed with
the pronouncement Of the government
and, after stating that any part of Ire
land that wanted Home Rule could
have it, suggested two alternatives TO,
the settlement of the differences be
tween the Irish factions. One was 9
conference of Irishmen and the Other
was the setting up of a commission OF
inquiry to report to the government
and Parliament.
Jeer the Premier.
Lloyd George was continually inter
rupted, and as he proceeded was greet
ed with angry jeers from the Nation
alists, who accused him of DESERVING
Home Rule. In conclusion he Offered
an amendment to the Nationalist reso
luton to the effect that: "'This House
would welcome any settlement which
would produce better understanding
between Ireland and the rest of the