THE NEW RULE IN IRELAND

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2773, 17 May 1916, Page 5

THE NEW RULE IN IRELAND

WILL IT BE HOME RULE?

MR, ASQUITH CONFERS WITfl BUSINESS, MEN . THE RIVAL VOLUNTEER ARMIES By Telesraph—Press Association—Copyright (Rec. May 16, 10.10-p.ni-.) : London/May 16. Sir. Asquith (the Prime -Minister) -has had a private three-hours' conference with a. dozen of the leading Belfast commercial men, when a frank and free discussion on the present situation took place. It is believed that the conference was particularly concerned about the general disarmament of the Irish volunteers, and the position of the Ulster volunteer force. During his Irish trip Mr. Asquith held conferences with administrators only, the politicians remaining in . London. Humours of probable changes,. including the early introduction of Jlome Rule, continue to circulate about the lobbies nnd in the newspapers. Everyone recog.nises that the old system of government, with its numerous detached boards and infirm executive, has .broken down, and that it is improbable that attempts;to patch it up will be successful. Sir Edward Carson states that he knows nothing of any negotiations to establish Home Enle or of disarmament.

Local leaders in Ulster state that the recent happenings have made it more necessary than ever that the Ulstermen should retain their- arms. The Ulster members of Parliament insist that the revolt fully justifies the Unionist misgivings regarding Home Rule. • • ';"

■Most of the Redmondites are not in ' vour of a temporary Executive Couno as it is believed that that would bio the way to Home Rule. They say th the tension in Ireland would be nothi compared to the chasrrin of the Iri( elements in America. There would be u told trouble unless Home Eule were «! tablished promptly. The "Daily Mail" asserts that an Executive Council will be established in Dublin, which will be responsible for Irish affairs, though under the British Parliament, and that the Ulster and Nationalist volunteers will both receive official recognition and be included in the forces of the Crown instead of being disarmea. .