The Amending Bill.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXIX, Issue 48, 18 June 1914, Page 5

The Amending Bill.

HOME RULE FOR IRELAND. UNIONIST EXPECTATIONS. [By Eleotbio Telegbaph —Copybight] [United Press Abbooiaxion.l London, June 17. The Nationalist Volunteers' Committee has accepted Mr Redmond's suggestion that the Nationalist Party should nominate twenty-five of its supporters, making thirty-five out of fifty on the executive who support .Mr Redmond.

It is expected that the House of Lords will amend the Home Rule Amending Bill with a view of providing for the exclusion of all Ulster for an unlimited period, and the withdrawal of the Post Office and Customs from Irish control. The Times states that Mr Redmond is not allowed to go beyond Mr Asquith's offer of March 9, because it will inevitably lead to his overthrow by the physical force movement. This fact explains the Government's inability to renew the conversations, and also Lord Lansdowne's doubt of the efficacy of any meeting with negotiators who would not agree to negotiate.

DRILLING IS NOT ILLEGAL. In the House of Commons, Mr Birrell said there was nothing illegal in drilling volunteers, provided that the permission of two magistrates was secured, as the Ulstermen and the Nationalists had done. Nor was the carriage of arms illegal, provided the person was licensed. The Government's present course exposed them to criticism and ridicule, but he believed it. was the wisest and most prudent.

Mr Bonar Law declared that the Government's policy of drifting had created a situation of anarchy. The Government in any case ought to make their plan clear.

Lord Robert Cecil's motion was defeated by 288 to 223. During the debate in the House of Lords, Lord Crewe claimed that the Government had not been idle during the recess. Mr Asquith had been in communication with Sir Edward Carson;

The statement caused surprise, as Lord Lansdowne had previously denied that there had been any, communication.

Mr Bonar Law made a similar denial causing Mr Asquith to say that the communications between Sir Edward Carson and himself had been of a private character, and had nothing to do with the amending Bill.

Sir Edward Carson later stated that the only communication he had had with Mr Asquith was to supply him with a map. showing, the position of the different religious parties in Ulster. He declared that Lord Crewe's suggestion was absolutely false.

THE TWO ARMIES. QUESTIONS IN THE COMMONS. (Received 8.0 a.m.) London, June 17. Mr Amery (Unionist member for Birmingham) asked whether the Irish Parliament was eTititled to organise and maintain armed volunteers; otherwise, would the Government disband the National volunteers or take them under Imperial control. Mr Asquith replied that the Irish Parliament was not entitled to maintain such a force. The existence of the Nationalist and Ulster volunteers continues to engage the Government's attention. Colonel Greig suggested the formation in the north and south of Ireland of two divisions of Territorials, thus retaining the services of forces now disciplined. Mr Asquith: The Government will consider the matter, but the procedure suggested is unapplicable.