New-York tribune., 1918-06-07
Viscount Bryce
Urges Passage of
Home Rule Bill
1ndorses Plea of Redmond's S
Daughter for English
Irish Unity

LONDON, June 6.-Viscount Bryce,
the former British Ambassador at
Washington, in statement to-day in
reply to Mrs. Max Green, daughter of
the late John E. Redmond, indorses
her appeal of May "a for unity be-
tween England and Ireland. He urges
the British Parliament to hasten the
passage of an adequate Home Rule
bill, but at the same time asks the
people of Ireland to "make it plain to
the world that the Irish people stand
IN line with Britain, America, Italy
and France in their determination to
save the world from the menace of
German ruthlessness and tyranny"
Viscount Bryce says in part:
up to 1885 there was marked op-
position between the majority Of Irish
men and the majority of Englishmen,
because both great English parties had
tailed to understand the grounds on
which the claims of Home Rule were
based. Since 1886 sentiment and SYM
pethy for Ireland has been strong in
the Liberal party, and to-day this feel
ing is no longer confined to the Liberal
party.
There is now among the bulk of
Englishmen of all parties a wish, as
far as possible, to meet and satisfy the
Irish desire for a large measure Of
government. 1t is not too much to
say that the question of Home Rule
is now a question, not between England
and Ireland, but one between two sec
tions of the Irish people.
No Fear of Old Conditions
"This ought to be better known in
other countries, as we'll as more fully
realized in Ireland There need be no
fear of return to the unfortunate
conditions of fifty years ago, when
mlstrust and suspicion were estrang-
ing the two peoples. These conditions
lave passed away forever
ut is nevertheless true that what
appears unwillingness in Ireland to
help in the fight against Germany has
caused some irritation in England,
just as the attempt to force COM
pulsory military service on Ireland has
reawakened suspicion there. To the
lrish Nationalists it has seemed to be
the exercise of arbitrary authority of
one nation over another.
Many Englishmen do not under
stand this attitude because thew do
not realize that centuries of conflict
have made the Irish people sensitively
Jealous of their own nationality, and
the Irish mind has been so turned upon
itself. SO much occupied with lreland's
grievances and claims that it has not
grasped the real meaning of this war.
Engllshmen are accordingly disap-
pointed that Ireland does not show a
stronger desire to join in the conflict
against German aggression.
What is most wanted to-day is that
the people Of both countries should
get to understand each other more
completely. A true understanding of
one another's character and ideas is
the basis Of friendship among nations,
as among men. To-day the two peo-
pies are nearer to a just comprehen-
sion and genuine friendship than
seemed possible years ago.
Home Rule Policy to Stay
"There need be no fear in ireland
that the English democracy. bewilderec
though they are by the reckless VIC
lence and wild language of the Sim
telners, have any intention of going
back on the home rule policy which
Parliament has solcmnly sanctioned
The British people desire with all thei,
hearts to see prosperity and content
nieHt IN ireland under Home Rule
Parliament ought to bring into opera
Ireland sees this she will of her own
accord join in vindicating against Ger.
many those very principles of liberty
and nationality upon which she founds
her own claim.
This is not war which ENGLAND
has undertaken for her own benefit
1t is war for right and humanity. an,
victory will be won for Ireland as vel
as the rest of Europe.
"Englishmen who have been PRESSING
the claims of Ireland for thirty wears
have no doubt of what is needed now
Parliament ought to bring nto opera
ton large and effective Home Rule
scheme, and this must be done without
delay.
Ireland. on her part, ought to make
IT plain to the world that the Irish
people stand in line with Britain
America and France, which peoples arc
giving all that is dearest to them in
their determination to save the worlo
from the menace of German ruthless.
ness and tyranny. If Ireland love.
liberty and justice, how can she fai
to feel with them and to wish that
her sons should fight beside them il
such cause?"