THE HOME RULE BILL.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXV, Issue 17, 18 January 1913, Page 5

THE HOME RULE BILL.

EXCITING SCENES

THE BILL BURNED IN BELFAST

By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright (United Press Association.)

London, January 10

In the House of Commons the Nationalists 'shouted themselves hoarse and cheered Parnell, Redmond, Asquith, and the British Democracy. A frantically ‘cheering crowd filled the outer lobby. At the demonstration at Whitehall there were cheers and counter cheers and some cries of “Ulster will fight!” There was a demonstration outside the Constitutional Club, where the result was greeted with groans. Mr. F. E. Smith, addressing the crowd, said the fate of the Bill was not determined in the House of Commons, but in the streets of Belfast.

The Bill has been read a first time in the Lords.

There is much excitement in Belfast, where the Bill was publicly burn-

THE PASSAGE OF THE BILL

London, January 17

The galleries were overflowing for the final debate. Sir Joseph Ward was among those present. The speeches were below Wednesday’s level. Sir J. Simon made a barbed allusion to Mr. Bonar Law’s promise last year of special advantages that would accrue to Ireland from tariff reform. He wished to know whether the offer was still open. Mr Smith paid a tribute to Mr. Asquith’s speech, but said that the Government were all optimists. The Irish and Mr. Asquith had indulged in a process of mutual accommodation. They would give him Welsh curates and he would give them Ulster. Mr. Redmond’s speech was flat until he touched a personal note, when he referred to the four generations that his family had sent to Westminster to advance Ireland’s cause. He declared that millions of Irish descent were eagerly awaiting news of the passage of the Bill, which would reconcile England and the Empire. He regarded the Bill as a final settlement of an international quarrel, but purely a provisional settlement of financial anangements.

Mr. Bonar Law said that Mr. Redmond knew that the financial provisions were an elaborate pretence, but with the leverage of an Irish Parliament ho could alter them as he pleased. It was ridiculous to claim that the Bill was the beginning of a federal system or would relieve the congestion at Westminster. No retaliation was better justified than Ulster’s, where, the people were ready to sacrifice their lives, and the Government knew it. Mr. A. Birrell wound .hr the_debate. He refused to be scared by the spectre of civil war conjured up by those disliking v the Bill. The announcement of the division was the signal for prolonged cheering, and the waving of handkerchiefs and order papers. The cheers were taken ap by the crowd in the lobbies. Hats and sticks were waved, and cries ct “God save Ireland” were heard. Outside the House of Commons the crowd was not large. It cheered, and there was some hooting, but no disorder.

Nine invalided Unionist members were unable to secure pairs. Two hundred and forty-eight Liberal/., 82 Na-. tionalists, and 37 Labourites voted for the Bill. Lord Roberts and Mr. Cory voted against it. Mr. Redmond has issued a message thanking the Liberals and Labourites) and the Scottish and Welsh members for championing justice for Ireland. Irishmen at home or in exile would accept the Bill as a British act of appeasement and reconciliation, welding/ an indissoluble bond of brotherhood and affection for the motherland, and immeasurably strengthening the Empire.

EXCITEMENT IN BELFAST,

(Received 8.15 a.m.) London, January 17

In the excitement at Belfast there were fusilades of revolver shots in the principal streets. A man, who was accidentally shot, was taken to the hospital. The police restrained the rival crowds with difficulty. A police commissioner directing operations was severely kicked and beaten. The crowds slowly dispersed. There was little excitement in the Nationalist quarter.