The Stratford Evening Post WITH WHICH IS INCORPORATED THE EGMONT SETTLER. WEDNESDAY, JULY 8, 1914. THE IRISH QUESTION.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXIX, Issue 65, 8 July 1914, Page 4

The Stratford Evening Post WITH WHICH IS INCORPORATED THE EGMONT SETTLER. WEDNESDAY, JULY 8, 1914. THE IRISH QUESTION.

The Amending Bill which passed its second reading in the House of Lords , on Monday modifies tho recently-pass-ed Home Rule Bill'by giving to the Irish counties the right to vote themselves out of tho operations of the Act for six years, but, it remains with the Unionists to say, when the Bill is before the House of Commons, whether they prefer the measure granting Homo Rule as it now stands or will accopt the amendment on tho lines of Mr Asquith's offer. Exclusion in any form finds many objections and difficulties to be overcome. Mr John Redmond has stated that no amendment of the Homo Rule Bill is called for by either the Government or tho Irish-Nationalist Party, , because they believed it to bo a good workable Bill, and a charter of liberty for the Irish people. On the other hand, as practical politicians and sensible men, his Party recognised it was worth paying a great price to ensure that Home Rule would come into operation amidst universal goodwill and to prevent the change being heralded by civil commotion of any sort. Mr Redmond also appealed to bis countrymen to join hands in the great t.ask of founding a now and happier Ireland, and in conclusion said: "If the 'Amending Bill' contains the terms of an agreement whereby some of our fellowcountrymen in the North who are today dissatisfied and nervous about the future may be conciliated, and does not outrage the fundamental principles of the Home Rule settlement, I am convinced that every Nationalist in Ireland will rejoice. If tho 'Amending Bill' does not contain an agreement, I can seo no prospect of it becoming law ; and, in any case, failing agreement, tho Irish Party have made it plain that their hands are quite free to deal with any proposals that may be made. The great thing for us to remember is, that, 'Amending Bill' or no 'Amending Bill,' tho Home Rule Bill is now practically an Act of Parliament." That the great gravity of the situation is realised one may galhor from tho words of Lord Lane-

downe the other day, when he said the provision in the Amending Bill providing for exclusion was only tolerable as a cure for worse evils, but the Opposition did not intend to brush aside, the Government's overtures. He was not ashamed to bo terrified by the spectre of civil war, and his aim and object was simply to produce a scheme which would prevent the stain and disgrace of bloodshed.