The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1917-05-25
Leaving the Irish Question
To IreldnaM 1H VII .b,


THE new Irish policy Of Premier Lloyd George
promises to precipitate events almost mediae-
val inspirt however modern the form, although on
the face Of the proposition OF letting the Irish
settle the Irish question seems so simple and logi-
cal that the failure to adopt it previously seems
wonderfully foolish .-.-.
Probably no one has desired to see the Irish
question settled quite So badly as the Fnglishman,
but il he has learned anything at all by his long
time residence across the way from the Emerald
Isle it is that the Irish will settle anything
If they can possibly help it. 1t is matter of grave
doubt whether there would ever have been an Eng
lish Pale in ireland at all if the Irish could have
got together in united effort to keep it out some
seven centuries ago.
1t seems curious that in this age, and particu-
larly in this year, hailed as that of the triumph
of democracy ~ and one might presume free
thought and individual tolerance-that civil con-
flict could be imminent within a unit over a
matter Of conscience. Yet it is less true that
il is question of religion which today sets north
and south Ireland snarling at each other like Kill
kenny cats at the mere mention of Home Rule
Tor Hiberiiia Wiki
In considering Lloyd Georges new policy one
must not forget that Home Rule is already mat
ter Of English law, having been put there by the
Asquith ministry and suspended officially because
Of the war, but more probably because it could
neither have been enforced without rebellion in
Ulster, nor repealed without rebellion in Leinster
and her sister provinces
The Irish question therefore consists, metaphor
cally, OF Ireland squeezing John Bull between the
upper and the neither milestone, meanwhile crying
to him: Take your hand off my throatl You are
choking mel' ~
This is the predicament which Asquith, with
II la
handed to his successor. and erstwhile minister
Of war. In all probability, Also Lloyd George. in
abruptly promising any legislation upon which
Irish factions agreed has less hopes of settling the
question than he has of keeping Ireland occupied
with something other than German intrigues and
incipient rebellion.
ireland has played noble part in the World,
War. The heroic Irish brigade lived up to the.
highest traditions of the Celt in the retreat from
Serbia and the Irish regiments have distinguished
themselves on a hundred fields with that happy
abandon of the race which fights first then sits
up opens one eye and inquiries the cause. /
But nevertheless Ireland has also been drag
Her coasts, on more than one occasion have been
suspected Of harborng Teuton submarine stations,
she has already Supplied one bloody revolution in
Dublin and is in constant state of incipent rebel
lion, England has not been able to apply the con-
scription law to ireland, and feels that the sister
isn't doing all Of her bit in consequence, but hasn't
complained over that 1t is logical to suppose
that the British ministry would welcome any sug-
gestion which would permit it 70 take one eye off
Ireland and turn square to the enemy. And it is
also possible that Lloyd George has hit upon the
suggestion. D., 10 ,.ys 5, ...-.ss r....,
A recent commentator in the mainland press,
who seems to lean bit towards the nationalist
summed up their feelings as follows:
The Nationalist leader, John Redmond, stated that
almost concession would be made to obtain Home
Rule by Would the Nationalists eOncede
equal representation in single house for Nationalist
and Unionist bodies irrespective of numbersf To
avoid the possibility of deadlock the first government
might be a coalition Equal representation might
be insured by dual representation of each cOnsttu
eney in a single house under dferentia franchise
The Nationalists generally Roman Catholics and
the UniOnists PrOtestants If in each constituency
the Roman Catholics returned member and the Pro
testants member house with equal numbers of
Nationalist and Unionist members would result All
mnorities in Ulster and elsewhere would be effectively
protected by representation. ..rs. .,at.
= This has the disadvantage of making individual
votes OF unequal value, but the great advantage
doing away with the necessity of second house 1t
has the objection of dividing voters religious lines
but the Recommendation Of preventing the possibility
nominations would vote for separate candidates and
preferably at separate polling booths.
OF course 1t Is neither in accordance with the spirit
Of the age nor of old and wont, but when the
Gordian knot could not be united il had be cut
and the oracle declared that Alexander unpre7.
eedented solution the true one.
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