The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1918-05-04

l
Irish constitutional convention the
chairman offered this whimsical ex-
planatory comment: while techni.
cally it was our function to draft a
constitution for our country, it would
be more correct to say that we had
to find way out of the most com
pick, anomalous situation to be found
in history might almost say in f1c-
ton"
Here is an observation that might
we'll be taken to heart by those who
offer snap judgment upon one side or
the other in the present Irish con-
troversy, whether expressed in sneers
against Irish slackers" or in volcanic
denunciation of the draft proposal as
Infamous British tyranny" The
complications produced by age-old
prejudices of race and religion, and
| intensified, by generations of cropping
craftsmanship and laundering COM
promises and futile evasions, are not
to be settled by bitter phrases.
Certainly existing conditions are
complex" and anomalous" beyond
any to be found in the long history of
the Irish question. They present a
paradox more bewildering than any in
the paradoXical record-Great Brit
ain striving to perfect a scheme of
home rule, while the Irish, with self
government almost in their grasp,
have completely lost interest in it,;
the British cabinet declaring that it
will resign unless the home rule act is
passed, and home rule Ireland seeth.
ing with revolt against the govern
| ment that pledges to her the long
sought measure of justice. -
No understanding of the dual issue
can be had without study of the
developments which have brought
about the menacing collision. AS the
convention chairman remarked, "a
knowledge of the broad facts of the
| Irish question may be assumed; it is
enough to recall the events of the war
| period.
Present Status of Home Rule.
The basic facts are, of course, that
home rule for Ireland long ago was
ain; that the act was thrice passed by
the imperial parliament and written
upon the statute books, that threats OF
armed resistance by the Ulster minor
ity terroriZed the government into
seeking a postponement; and that,
when the European conflict began,
home rule Ireland generously and pa
triotically agreed that enforcement of
the law should be deferred until world
peace had been restored.
The Nationalist made good their
pledge, and joined with Ulster in en-
listing tens of thousands of 1rishmen
in the armies of the empire, although
in doing so they exposed themselves
to virulent attacks from radical ele-
ments which despised home rule and
demanded complete separation from
Great Britain. Finally came the in
sane instruction of two years ago,
instigated by Germany, but supported
by factionists who dreamed of an
Irish republic. Indiscriminate and
laundering severity in suppressing
this outbreak, contrasted with the gov
ernment's surrender to Ulster, strip
ped the Nationalist of most of their
influence, and from that time the peo-
pie began to turn toward Sim Fem.
This organization, as hostile to home
rule as to the British regime, attract
ed to itself all the elements of dis
| content, radicalism, pacifism, pro-
Germanism and Bolshevism; it's pro-
gram has included not only absolute
independence for Ireland, but opposi-
ton to the war and to every nation
associated with Great Britain, includ-
ing the United States.
The Work Of the Convention.
After half dozen Sin Fein lead
ers had beaten Nationalists for cleo
ton to parliament, it became clear
that a real effort must be made to
overcome the smoldering hostility Of
ireland, and a year ago the drafting
of a constitution was intrusted for the
first time to body of Irishmen. The
convention, made up Of delegates rep
resenting every faction and interest
in the country-except Sim Fein,
which refused to join-deliberated for
eight months, and produced ten days
ago a report which, while representing
only majority opinion, embodied "a
larger measure of agreement upon the
! principle and details of Irish self.
government than has ever yet been
F: attained"
| Most of the Nationalists, all the
southern Unionists and five of the
seven labor representatives united in
recommending establishment of a par
lament for the whole of Ireland, with
an executive responsible to it. and
with full powers over all internal leg
islation, administration and direct tax
ation-such matters as foreign rela'
lions, the army and navy, coinage
etc., being left under control Of the
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