Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1917-05-18
IRISH QUESTION
No Settlement but Con-
.vention is Accepted
Redmond Writes Letter Stating
Decision to Premier

London. May H. 4.51 +. M.-John
Redmond, leader of the Irish Nation
alistS in the House of Commons, to-
day rejected the proposal of premier
LLOYD George for a settlement of the
Home Rule question, but accepted the
proposal for the immediate calling of
q convention to decide on a governor
for Ireland
Mr. Redmond in a letter to Premier
Lloyd George accepts on behalf of the
Irish party the proposal tor assem-
bling a conversion of 1rishmen of all
parties for the purpose of producing
a scheme Of Irish self-government" on
condition that the basis on which the
convention is to he called is such as to
insure that ii is fully and fairly rep
resentative Of Irishmcn of all creeds,
interests ana parties; and. secondly.
that the convention be summoned
without delay"
Redmond's Letter
Mr.. I:cdmonds letter follows:
Dear M. LloNd-George: The
grounds wherein the Irish party de-
CiGed not to negotiate with the gov
eminent are we'll known to you. and 7
90 fp( tnlllK II HOuiu SSlNt any
full purpose to rcstate them on this
occasion. note what YOU say as to
the imposSibility of taking action
which would revive violent POLITICAL
controversy in the crisis of the war
and tho consequent necessity imposed
upon the government of combining
themselves to proposing n settlement,
which would be substantially accept
ed by both sides ! cannot accept this
proposition and must observe that it
has not been applied in some other
matters since the outbreak Of the war
have laid your letter before my
colleagues and they have carefully
considered the two alternative prOpo-
sails contained therein. The first pro-
posal would not in their opinion, find
support in Ireland and they desire me
to inform YOU that they are irrecon-
cilably opposed to this scheme and
that any measure based thereon will
meet with their vigorous opposition.
The reasons for this decision can bet
ter if necessary, be stated, in debate
on Monday.
THE second alternative, the assem-
bling of convention of lrishmcn of
all parties for the purpose of produce
ing scheme of Irish self-govcrnment.
has much to recommend it. You ask.
Would it be too much to hope that
Irishmen of all creedS and parties
might meet in convention for the pur-
pose of drafting constitution which
will secure a just balance of all oppos-
ing interests and finally compose the
unhappy dscords which so long have
distracted Ireland and impeded its har-
monious development?
This is the great ideal. and l trust
it may be found possible of realization.
NV colleagues and /, at all events. Will
place no obstacle in the way, and we
are prepared to recommend this pro-
posal most earnestly to our country
men on condition that the basis where
on the convention is to be called is such
as to secure that it will be fully and
fairly representative of Irishmen of all
creeds. interests and parties and. sec
ondly. that the convention be summon
ed without delay. If this proposal is
put into operation. 1 can assure you
that no effort upon the part of my col
leagues and myself will be spared to
realize the high and blessed ideal point
ed 10 in the concluding paragraph Of
your letter.
Mr.. Redmond said Premier Lloyd
Georges proposal for an Irish govern
'ment would, in the opinion Of the MEM
bers of the Irish party. find no support
in Ireland. They. therefore. were IRE
concilably opposed to it, and any mea-
sure based upon that proposal would
meet with their vigorous opposition
But Mr. Redmond continued. THE sec
ond alternative, namely, the assembling
Of a convention of 1rishmen. has much
to recommend it. My colleagues and
will place no obstacles in the way ana
are prepared to recommend the propos-
al most strongly to our countrymen.
DI1RIIN REPORT