New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1918-04-14
Restraint Shown by All
Leaders in Commons
Debate
Britain Hopes for
Peaceful Solution
Asquith Might Have Forced
Change Of Gov
eminent

LONDON, April 13.-There are
strong hopes in London that the Irish
troubles will undergo a gradual and
pacific solution. An important fact is
hat the menace of critical events in
France ovcrshadows all other cons i'd
crations and imposes restraint upon
even all the factions of Irishmen and
their ardent British supporters.
This restraint has been exhibited in
several ways. If ex-Premier Asquith
had translated his judgment against
CONSUMPTION into motion TO reject the
governments proposal last night. he
might have arrayed majority of the
members OF the House against it.
This would have meant change Of
government.
But Mr.. Asquith considered that an
impossible .hin- to propose, under the
present circumstances, and confined
himself TO registering his conviction
that CONSUMPTION in Ireland would be
great mistake AS result, the
minority which voted against con-
scription was composed of Irish Ma
,ionalists and a few Liberals, most of
them pacifsts and those generally
listed as faddists.
Could Have Made Harder Fight
John Dillon and Joseph Devlin, who
have been jointly filling John Red
mond's shoes as leaders of the Irish
party. might have made a much more
troublesome fight than they did. If
they had felt strongly enough to go
TO extremes they might have repeated
the old scenes of the Parnell days,
when Irish members were dragged out
OF the House by the police. and popu-
lar expectation looked forward to such
action. But they refrained from Par
liamentary obstruction and limited
their offensive to strong words.
Both of them tempered their fight
against CONSUMPTION with the statement
that they believed the cause of Great
Britain in the war was just one. Mr..
Devlin went further by proclaiming his
desire TO fight for it. This attitude is
bound to have an influence in Ireland
Sir Edward Carson, the Ulster
eader and his Ulster followers, who
generally manage to kindle all the ami
mostly there is latent among the Irish
factions whenever any Irish question
is raised, also exhibited restraint by
remaining silent instead of denouncing
lrishmen who oppose CONSUMPTION, as
they might have done.
Irish Papers BelIigerent
The Nationalist and Sim Fem news
aa9ers in Ireland maintain a bellige-
rent tone. but Mr. Asquith once de-
scrbed this as mostly contingent and
rhetorical belligerency." A striking
example was recently given by events
y County Clare. Lieutenant General
Mahon, commander of the British
forces in Ireland, proclaimed martial
law, There were, as a consequence,
roting and attacks on the police.
Small attachments of soldiers took
charge of the strategical points. There
mas been no trouble since, while the
people have been very friendly to the
soldiers and have given them hospi-
lahty which was unheard of in the
Land League times.
Ireland is enjoying prosperity
hitherto unknown. She is the chief
feeder for England. Her farmers are
becoming rich. They are the backbone
OF the country, and rebellious events
would destroy their prosperity.
Inc Sim Feiners, of course, are