The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1917-05-19
ireland Is Offered Home
Rule With Ulster Excluded
Provision for Six Counties to Enter Later If Willing
Irish Convention Alternative Ofer-An
Parties to Get Together and Agree on
Plan for Unity.
Plan tor Unity.

London, May 1.-THE British prime
minister sent letter to John Red
mond, leader of the Irish nationalist
party, yesterday, outlining the govern
ment's project for the settlement of
the home rule question. He asked Mr..
Redmond to state his views on the
governments suggestion in order that
the government may be able to con-
slider the matter before Monday.
AS soon as the premier's proposals
were available the Irish unionists met
to discuss the document. The nation-
alists will hold meeting on Thurs
day morning for the same purpose.
The government, the letter sets
forth, has been desirous of effecting
an immediate settlement which will
concede the largest possible measure
of home rule that can be secured by
agreement at this moment, without
prejudice to the undertaking by Par
lament of a further and final settle
ment OF most disputed questions after
the war. The governments proposals
provide for the introduction of bill
for the immediate application Of the
home rule act to Ireland, but exclud-
ing the six counties of Northeast Ul-
ster, such exclusion to be subject to
by Parliament at the
end of five years; a council of Ireland
to be composed of two delegations,
representing the excluded area as we'll
as the new Irish parliament; consider
alton OF the bill after it's second read
ing by a special conference under the
craftsmanship of some one command
ing general confidence.
Convention Of All lrishmen Suggested.
AS an alternative, it is suggested by
the premier that convention Of Irish.
men of all parties be assembled for
the purpose of arranging a scheme of
Irish self government
Premier Lloyd Georges letter to Mr..
Redmond follows:
Dear Mr.. Redmond-The govern
ment has been considering for some
time what further action they would
take to bring about the settlement of
the Irish question. They have ap-
preached the subject with a deep de-
sire to put an end to a state of affairs
which is productive of immense evil,
not only to Ireland. but to Great Bri.
tain and the empire.
'The choice of alternatives open to
them, however, has been narrowed by
the fact that it is impossible for them
in the crisis of a war in which ou1
safety and the liberty of most of the
nations of Europe is at stake, to take
action which would revive violent
political controversy, and, SO, weaken
or imperil the unity which is essentia
to the supreme necessity of winning
the war. They have. therefore, fel,
that any settlement which they coult
propose during the war must be one
which would be substantially accepted
by both sides.
After War Conference Promised.
''They could have wished, in accord
| ance with this principle, to enter upo1
negotiations with the Irish representa-
tives, but this, as you know, was i'm
possible owing to the decision of you
party not to negotiate with the govern
| ment.
"The desire of the government ha,
been to try to effect an immediate set
tlement, conceding the largest possibl,
measure of home rule which can be sc
cured by agreement of this moment