HOME RULE FOR IRELAND.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1891, 28 October 1913, Page 7

HOME RULE FOR IRELAND.

— « MR. ASQUITH'S TWO OBVIOUS REASONS. FOR A SETTLEMENT BY CONSENT. PRESS OPINIONS ON THE SPEECH By Teleurapli—Press AcjoolaUon—Oopyrljfhl London, October 29. During the course of 'his speech 011 the Irisn Homo Rule question, the Pripie Minister (Mr. Asquith) said that there were two obvious reasons why all patriots should desire a settlement by consent. Firstly, it was supremely important for Ireland's future woli-being that self-government should not start with the apparent triumph of ono section, howovor preponderant and the apparent humiliation, of another. He believed that the ties binding Irishmen together would eventually prove more durable and more effective than tho differences which seem to keep them apart; "but if that unifying, consolidating process is to have a fair 'chance, it is worth paying a considerable price to irairo." Secondly, it would bo well from Britain's and Ireland's view-point that whatever was done should bo regarded by both parties as resting on a solid foundation, and be capable of future development and. amplification; but it was essential that it should be boyolid the risk of electoral and party vicissitude's. Ireland had far too long been the cockpit of British polities, and nothing could be worse for oither country than that the Irish question should continue to bo a regular battle-cry. Both Britain and Ireland had affairs calling imperiously for close, undivided attention. He believed that tho growing sense of such considerations produced during tho last few months had made a perceptible change in the political atmosphere. Proposals had been put forward in good faith and with goodwill for something in the nature of a formal conference of party leaders, but a conference without a more or less agreed upon basis and within more or less defined limits would almost certainly be abortive, would make matters worse, and defeat tho hope of a settlement. They did not need conference machinery, but - if there was a gonuino disposition in all quarters-for the interchange of views and suggestions —free, frank, and without prejudice—ho invited such an interchange, in which ho and his colleagues would be ready to participate. PRESS COMMENT. A DEXTEROUS OFFER. ' London, October 26. The "Observer" (Unionist) considers that Mr. Asquith was exceedingly dexterous in his offer to tost tho strongth and judgment- of tho Opposition leadership. "Mr. Asquith," adds the papor, "has gone as far as reasonable opponents could expect, and ho ought to be met with tho sanio moderation, dignity, and skill." "IF MR. ASQUITH PERSISTS ?" London, October 26. Tho newspaper ".Northern Whig," Belfast, says: "If Mr. Asquith persists in carrying out his Ladybank policy, the result will bo to drench Ireland with blood, and sha.ke Britain to her very foundations. Tho speech will only stiffen Ulster Protestants in their determination." , (Rec. October 27, 10.5 p.m.) London, October 27. The "Morning Post" (Unionist) asks for further elucidation of tho Government's views, and, contends that the exclusion of Ulster, even temporarily, would involve tho recasting of the Bill] It declares that tho Unionists would bo unablo to assent to such an agreement unloss it were first accepted by the Irish Unionists, and furnished with guarantees that it would not bo re-em-bodied in a Bill for the preservation of a "Unity Kingdom." , Tho "Daily Telegraph" (Unionist) says it has vainly searched Mr, Asquith's speech for the healing word to tho nation so eagerly oxpectcd. Tho situation, it observes, is practically unchanged. The "Daily Chronicle" (Liberal) hopes that the Unionists will iagree to a formal interchange of views, and adds that unreasoning extremism is now to be found only on ono side. It reinains to he seen whether, or how long, that side will continue to bo thus dominated by the Irish Independent Party. Tho "Chronicle" further says that if tho speech is capable of the interpretation that- tho Government is willing to adjust the Ulster problem by the temporary exclusion of the four counties of Ulster, tho suggestion is not acceptable. Tho "Daily News" (the recognised organ of the Liberal Party) declares that the exclusion of North-East Ulster would bo disastrous to Ireland and itself, but that the Liberals are prepared to yield that much for the sake of opening a new chapter in Irish history, with tho consent and benediction of nil parties. Tho "Daily Mail's" Parliamentary correspondent states that Mr. Churchill's qualification when speaking recently at Dundee of the temporary exclusion of Ulster, and Mr. Asquith's insistence upon the eventual unity of Ireland, is possibly duo to a desire to impress upon tho Nationalists tho idea that all depends,upon themselves, and that they should have sufficient faith in their own good intentions to accept the temporary exclusion of North-East Ulster, believing that their future deeds will convince the excluded portion—North-East ulster—of the value of entering Dublin's orbit. With the -fate of the Plural Voting Bill in the balance. Mr. Asquith does not want to lose the Nationalist support. On the other hand, Mr. Redmond (the Nationalist leader) does not want to start the Dublin Parliament with "Ulster in rebellion. These considerations give some liope to an ultimate settlement, by consent.