Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-03-23
NEW EFFORT
TO END IRISH DISPUTE
Bonar Law Announces That Govern
mcnt Has Decided to Make
Another Attempt.
REPORT WARMLY WELCOMED
Present Situation, He Says, Is Blcm-
ish ON British Statcsmanship and
Handicap In War-Govcrument
Expected to Name Commission.

LONDON. March Gin the course
Of debate in tho House of Commons
tonight on resolution offered hy
i Sir James Henry Dalzicl, Liberal. urC-
ing the government TO make another
attempt TO settle the Irish difficulty
Andrew Eonar Law. Chancellor Of tho
EAch"quer. announced that the gov
"rnmcnt already had decided TO make
such an attempt. The DaIzicl motion,
accordingly. was voted down
Tho Nationalists, considering that
'hcy had already stated their position.
did not participate in the debate which
revealed strong desire for a settle
ment on tho part Of all tho Unionist
and Liberal speakers. with tho cxcep-
,ion Of Lord Hugh Cecil. who declined
TO believe that war time was favorable
to such an attempt.
The Dalzicl resolution urged the
government 10 take immediate steps
10 bring about a settlement of the
Irish question. Sir James argued that
Ireland was weak spot In the great
task before the country, and said lie
thought tho government ought to ap-
point commission TO cndcavor 10
reach tettlcment OF the hone-rule
controversy.
PROTEST. On DEHALF
OF ULSTER PROVINCE
Ronald McNeiil. Cnionist. on behalf
OF Ulster Province. entered strong
protest against the suggestion OF John
Dillon. one Of the Nationalist leaders
IN the House on Tuesday night. that
there had been negotiations between
tho Ulster leaders and Baron kuhi-
mann. He declared this was "A trump
ed-up charge. and that II would prove
great obstacle to settlement of
The hone-rule question. lie further
expressed the belief that the states
men OF the dominions would refuse
10 touch this Irish commission with
barge pole"
Eonar Law welcomed the tone OF the
debate. lie declared that. .ar from
, desiring general election on the Irish
question. as had been suggested. he
would dctest such an idea. The pres
ent situation. however. WAS blemish
on British statesmanship. besides be-
ing a handicap in carrying on the war.
All parties agreed that il was impos-
sible to impose u settlement on Ulster
by force. The government. the Chan
ceilor continued. was anxious for a
settlement. but sacrifices must be made
/ all sides He hoped Ulster would
prove less adamant. and il the Ma
tionalists would openly avow their
readiness TO act with the same spirit
as the British parties their task would
prove much easier one.
IF We make another attempt and
fail said Bonar Law. the proposition
will be worse. But We have decided.
in spite of the risk. that il is wortl
while for us who are responsible to
make that attempt
IN SPITE OF WAR.
To MAKE ATTEMPT
tonar Laws announcement was re-
ceived with loud cheering.
The House knows the difficulties
and therefore we hope il will not press
us for particulars. but will give US
time for consideration"
! Former Premier Asquith. having cx-
pressed profound qualification at the
announcement OF the Chancellor. said:
II think it better to mako the at
tempt and fail than not to make il
at all. and I am certain the govern
ment Will have not only the sympathy.
but the active cooperation of the
whole House"
| In the Hobbies. Bonar Laws an
nouncement was warmly welcomed.
Tho general idea was that the gov
crnment would appoint a commission
on which the colonial representatives
now in England would sit