The Irish standard., 1918-04-20
eonserip tion Bill
Passes Third Reading
CONTINUED from page ~


at the conclusion that self-government
is an essential war measure" he said.
In regard to the statement made by
George N. Barnes, labor member of
the British war cabinet without port
folio, who said the government would
carry the bill, Mr.. Lloyd George said
the government could only use all its
influence to carry it.
If it is not carried, those responsible
for its failure to carry ought, in all
conscience, accept the responsibility
for the direction of the war without it.
1t is impossible to face the differences
in Ireland without united country"
he said.
1T is impossible to secure unity I'M
less every section feels that justice
has been done, not merely by COMPEL
ing Irishmen to take full share in
the wars burden, but by securing to
them the right of self-determination
for which we are fighting in every
'theater,' he continued. I'VE entered
the war for that principle. We have
never departed from it and hope we
shall be able to enforce it at the peace
conference"
Must Take Responsibility.
He added that if the Irish members
were to reject the bill it would be their
responsibility.
Joseph Devlin exclaimed: Nov the
cat is out of the bag"
hot
the government could not possibly
have resistance to the home rule bill
used as a lever to defeat CONSUMPTION
and that was why each measure must
be taken on its merits.
Cork Council Asks "Protection."
The Cork corporation council last
night unanimously adopted a resolu-
ton against CONSUMPTION and appeal
ing to President Wilson for "protec-
tion." At the same time the Ulster
council issued statement uphOlding
the governments proposal, pointing
out that Ireland at present 1.-The most
prosperous portion Of the United
Kingdom, is in duty and honor bound
to contribute her portion, be the war
long or short, of the cost incurred; to
do less would be to surrender, which
Ulster at any rate, would never will
ingly do her share in the great empire
which is our common glory and our
common heritage"
Passive Resistance Deemed Prudent
Move.
Dublin, April 13.-The report of the
Irish convention followed lines antici-
pated in advance and created little stir
in political circles in Ireland.
Discussion of the report is over
Swallowed by the CONSUMPTION con-
troversy, which grows acute. Sheaves
of resolutions of protest are expected
to come from nationalist bodies, some
of them being forwarded to the Ameri-
can ambassador in London.
Prominence is given by nationalist
newspapers to the suggestion that
next Sunday at masses the priests in
struct the people to make passive re-
sistance to CONSUMPTION and to urge
that organized passive resistance
would be more effectual than an armed
revolt.
Meanwhile threatened CONSUMPTION
has begun to stimulate volunteer re-
cruiting. At Derry, 40 shipworkers en-
listed rather than wait for conscrip.
ton. On the other hand, Irish work.
men who have been employed in NUM-
ton works in England are returning
here in patches, thinking the prospect
for avoiding military service is greater
in ireland.
Further Discussion Of CONSUMPTION
Measure.
London, April 17-In discussing the
manpower bill in the house of com.
mons, Premier Lloyd George asked
whether CONSUMPTION in Ireland was to
be the governments only answer to the
report of the most remarkable conven-
tion ever held in Ireland. Such an
answer would be regarded as unsatis-
factory, not only in Ireland but in En-
gland, he said.
If trouble in Ireland should arise
from refusal to legislate after the Irish
convention, and only CONSUMPTION was
offered, any resistance in Ireland would
meet with sympathy here, which would
paralyze the effort to enforce conscrip-
ton in Ireland, he added.
America, Behind Home Rule.
The premier referred especially to
the attitude of the labor party, adding:
1T is useless to put this bill on the
statute books unless we intend to en-.
force it, and it is useless to try to en-
force it, unless behind the government
there is feeling that Ireland has
been justly treated.
Moreover, Ireland is not the only
country to be considered. AS to
America, the opinion reaching the gov
eminent is that sentiment in America
supports the bill, provided self-govern-
ment is offered Ireland. 1t is vital to
us, at the moment that America is
coming to our aid through the most
remarkable decision ever taken by any
executive. President Wilson's decision