Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1917-05-17
LETTER TO REDMOND.

LETTER TO REDMOND.
Lloyd George suggests Immediate Ap-
plieAtion Of Home Ruie Act. SIX
Ulster Counties Omitted.
London. May H.-The British prime min
lister to-day sent n letter to Inhn Red
inond, leader OF the Irish Nationalist
party outlining the governments pro-
1ect for the settlement Of the homo rule
question. He asked Mr.. Redmond to state
his views on the governments sugges-
lions IN order that the government may
be able to consider the matter before
Monday.
AS soon as the premier's proposals were
available, the Irish unionists met to dis
cuss the document. The nationalists will
hold meeting Thursday morning for the
same purpose.
The government. the latter set forth.
has been desirous of effecting an immed-
ate settlement which will concede the
largest possible measure of home rule
that can be secured by agreement at this
moment, without prejudice to the under
taking by Parliament of q further and
final settlement of the most disputed
questions after the war The govern
ments proposals provide for the introduc-
ton OF bill for the immediate applica
ton of the home rule act to Ireland,
out excluding the six counties of north
east Ulster, such exclusion to be SUBJ
5ect to reconsideration by Parliament at
the END OF five years: council of Ire
land. to be composed Of two delegations,
representing the excluded area as well
as the new Irish Parliament: considera-
ton of the bill after it's second reading
by a special conference under ehe chair
manship of some one commanding gem
eral confidence
As an alternative. it is suggested by
the premier that convention of Irish.
men Of all parties be assembled for the
purpose of arranging scheme OF
Irish selfgovernment.
Premier Lloyd Georges letter to Mr.
Redmond follows:
Dear Mr. Redmond:-The govern.
ment have been considering for some
time what further action they would
take to bring about the settlemeQt OF
the Irish question. They have ap.
preached the subject with a deep de-
sire to put an end to a state Of af-
fairs. which is productive of immense
evil. not only to ireland. but to Great
Britain and the empire
THE choice Of alternatives open ia
them. however. has been narrowed BY
the fact that 1t is impossible for them
in the crisis Of u war Sin which our
tsafety 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 essential
TO the supreme necessity Of winning
| the war They have therefore felt
that any settlement which they could
propose during the war must be one
which would he substantially accepted
by both sides.
They could have wished, in accord
! ance with this principle. to enter upon
! negotiations with the Irish representa-
tives. but this. as YOU know. was i'm
possible owing to the decision Of your
party not to negotiate with the govern
ment.
THE desire of the government has been
to try to effect an immediate settlement.
| conceding the largest possible measure OF
nome rule which can be secured by agree
ment at this moment, without prejudice
to the undertaking by Parliament OF a
further and final settlement Of the uues-
ton most in dispute after the war. They
are therefore prepared to put forward
proposals on the following lines with a
view to present action:
Firstly, they would introduce a bill for
the immediate application of the nome
! rule act to Ireland. but excluding there
from the six counties of northeast Ulster,
| such exclusion to be subject to recon
sideratton by Parliament at the end of
| five years, unless it is previously term
4 tod hys anti of .
Ireland. to he set up as here.na fter
+! described.
Secondly with view tn securing the
largest possible measure Of common ac-
| ton for the whole Of Ireland, the bill
would provide for council of Ireland TO
Dc composed OF two delegations consisting
on the one hand, Of all members returned
to Westminster from the excluded area,
and. on the other. OF a delegation equal
| in numbers from the Irish Parliament.
| this council to be summoned on the mi
tiative of any six members. 1t would be
| empowered by a majority OF the votes of
| each of the delegations to pass private
bill legislation affecting both the included
and excluded areas: to recommend to the
crown the extension to the excluded area.
by an order in council, OF any act of the
| Irish parliament: to agree to the inclu-
| sion under the home rule act Of the whole
of ireland subject to the assent Of a ma
| jority OF the voters in the excluded area.
the power to be vested in the crown, in
that case to extend the act &c all of Ire.
land by an order in council: to make rec
| ommen da tons on its own initiative upon
the Irish question, including the amend
ment OF the home rule act as finally
ma ssed. The president Of this council OF
| Ireland would be elected by agreement
| between the delegations OF in default OF
agreement would he nominated hy the
crown"
Thirdly. the financial proposals Of
the home rule bill are unsatisfactory
and should be reconsidered. Important
| objects such as the development Of
| Irish industries. improvement in town
housing and the fuftherance of educa
ton. with increased pay for teachers
owing TO the war conditions. cannot he
dealt with under the bill without un-
due burden on the Irish Taxpayer.
"Fourthly. the government woufd
recommend that after the second read
| ing of the bill embodving the above
| proposals. together with the home rule
act. il should forthwith be considered
! by conference to be constituted on
| the lines Of the spea ker' sc difference or
| electoral reform, though not consisting
exclusively Of members ~ Parliament
and meeting under the na,rmanship of
some one ,ommandin" ;hc same gen
eral conference in hi .mpartialitv and
| Judgment MS Mr., Spcakcs himself"