The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-04-17
HOME RULE FOR
IRELAND STIRS
BRITISH HOUSE
Never Before Has Measure Had
Such a Chance.
Practically All Parties in
Favor of 1t Now.
HOUSE OF LORDS UNCERTAIN
Meantime Irish Prepare To Re-
sist CONSUMPTION.
Irish Members Leave House To
Prepare Resistance.

London, April 1T.-NhlIe national
Ireland is making plans for resistance.
to the enforcement of consumption in
their country, the rest of the United
Kingdom is more interested IN the
home rule bill which George Nicoll
Barnes. labor member of the war cabi-
ret without portfolio. announced IN
the house of commons yesterday the
government would introduce and pass
or fail in the attempt.
The home rule bill. it is understood.
will take the form of measure
amending the government of Ireland
as it was passed just before the out
break of the war. but the operation of
which was suspended for the duration
of the war. Public opinion favors
federal measure which could be made
applicable to Scotland, Wales and
England. Several motions suggesting
the introduction of a federal system
already have appeared in the house or
commons, while a large majority OF
those Unionists who have become con-
verts to home rule also favor that sys-
tenn.
All Parties for 1t.
Never. on the surface. at any rate.
has ireland had such a good chance of
getting a form of self government.
At a>meeting of the Unionists war
committee which was called to con-
slider the matter. but which adjourned
until today without reaching deci-
sion, several speakers urged every
possible effort should be made to
secure a home rule settlement even at
the cost of cherished principles.
With the Liberals Laborites. Ma
tionalists and large part of the Union
lists supporting the bill, it should have
an easy passage in the house of COM
mons.
What the house of lords, those old
enemies of home rule will do. is I'M
certain but with two former anti-home
rulers, Earl Curzon and Viscount
Miner as memb ers of the government
supporting it, the opposition is likely
to be less strenuous than on former
occasions when the commons sent
such a measure to the upper house.
Home Rule to Come First.
The Irish nationalist members OF
parliament having fought conscrip-
ton to the last in the house of COM
mons, are leaving for Dublin to for
Inulate plans for resisting it.
In discussing the manpower bill in
the house of commons, Premier Lloyd
George asked whether CONSUMPTION in
Ireland was to be the governments
only answer to the report of the most
remarkable convention ever held in
Ireland Such an answer would be
regarded as unsatisfactory. not only in
Ireland but in England he said. If
there was trouble in Ireland arising
from refusal to 1egislate after the
Irish convention and only CONSUMPTION
was offered. any resistance in Ireland
would meet with sympathy here
which would paralyze the effort TO en-
| force consumption in Ireland.
The premier referred especially to
| the attitude of the labor party, add
ing: TT is useless to put this bill on
| the statute books unless we intend to
enforce 1t and it is useless to try to
enforce it unless behind the govern
ment there is a feeling that ireland
has been justly treated. Moreover,
Ireland is not the only country to be
considered
Americas Opinion Supports.
! LAS to America the opinion reach
ing the government is that sentiment
in America supports the bill provided
self government is offered Ireland 1t
| is vital to at the moment that
America is coming to our aid thru
the most remarkable decision ever
| taken by any executive. President
Wilson's decision was not without diff
ficulty but it was the only way Ameri-
ca could render practical assistance
in this battle.
Very Grave Discussion.
| London, April IA lengthy meet
| ing of the Unionist war committee
which was attended by 127 members
\ was held in the house of commons
| last night to consider the question of
home rule in Ireland and the war. An
| official announcement issued after the
meeting merely aid: The discussion
was a very grave one.
According to the Daily Telegraph
Sir Edward Carson. the Ulster leader
spoke in the interest of Ulster, while
the other members urged that every
] effort should be made>to secure set
| Element of the home rule question
! even at the sacrifice of long cherished
| principles No resolution the paper
| says. was adopted but the balance Of
! feeling was that the government must
proceed cautiously with the home rule
| bills.
In these circumstances America IS
entitled to expect from the British
! government-tho they could not ask
| any government to carry out domestic
| legislation-that they would smooth
these difficulties and any rate not in
| crea Sc them. I am certain nothing
would help more at the present juno
| ture to secure the full measure of
American assistance than the deter
l ticr, Of the British na Ria raent 70