The Dominion THURSDAY, JUNE 6, 1918. AN OFFER TO IRELAND

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 221, 6 June 1918, Page 4

The Dominion THURSDAY, JUNE 6, 1918. AN OFFER TO IRELAND

Seven weeks ago, when the Military Service Bill was before the House of Commons, there seemed every likelihood that a determined effort would bo made to speedily settle tho Irish question. During tho debate on that measure, which in one of its clauses extended the principle of compulsory service to Ireland, Mn. Lloyd George, on behalf of his Government, gave a definite assurance that a Home llulc Bill would be introduced, and that if they failed to secure its passage he and his colleagues would resign. At the same time ho intimated that any attempt to enforce conscription in Ireland before self-government had been granted was regarded as out of the question. That the settlement for which this announcement paved the way has not been reached must be laid at the door of the irreconcilablo Sinn Fciners who' did their best to betray their own country,and tho Empire by attempting , to organise a German-aided revolt in Ireland. Their treason has of necessity thrown now obstacles in the way of a settlement, but' tho British Government has not with-' drawn its promise to extend selfgovernment to Ireland, and, this is a fact to keep in mind in considering the proposal which Viscount French, in his capacity as LordLieutenant, has laid before the Irish parties and people. Presumably the Government intends to introduce' a Home Kuleßill as soon as-condi-tions in Ireland make it reasonably, practicable to do so, but for the moment tho measure is deferred, and in keeping with the attitude defined by Me. Lloyd George in April the enforcement of conscription is also, Ijor the time at least, deferred. In denouncing tho Sinn Fein conspiracy, the Government stated that further steps would be taken to encourage voluntary enlistment, "iii the hope that Ireland's contribution would correspond to the contribution of other parts of the Empire without compulsion." It is on these lines thai; it is now acting.

Made at this juncture, and in the conditions that obtain', the proposals submitted by Viscount French must iu any reasonable view bo regarded as making a fair and even generous concession to Irish sentiment. As to the outcome much must depend upon the attitude of the Irish party leaders. They aro in effect invited by the Lord-Lieu-tenant to co-operate in securing two objects which should be dear to the heart of'every Irishman. The immediate invitation is that they should assist in promoting a recruiting scheme which would at least in ,Dart relieve Ireland of the reproach of .hanging back in the world's struggle for liberty, but it is evident that if efforts to this end meet with success much will at the same time, be done to clear, away obstacles to the enactment of Home Rule. Though optimism in tho matter would perhaps be unwise, it should be the less difficult for the Irish leaders to concur in the Lord Lieu.tenant's proposals since it is as obViously, and_ more urgently, their duty to inspire Ireland to a full-' powered effort in the war as to press for the satisfaction of political grievances. The enactment of Home Rule has been delayed, not by perndy on the part of the British Government, but by lawless disorders and demonstrations in Ireland, culminating in the plot which was exposed a few weeks ago. The worst offence of the present British Government where Ireland is concerned has been in weakly allowing forces of lawlessness and disorder to gather head. Meantime the fate of Ireland, like that of all other British and Allied countries, is trembling in the balance, and apart from any question of honour or loyalty ordinary regard for the interests of their country should make the Irish lead? ers and their followers welcome the compromise now proposed. The position to bo faced was well'.summed by Mr. George Bahnes, Labour representative in the British War Cabinet, during the debate on Irish conscription:~ If this war were to bo lost because of Ireland, Homo Jlulo would not bo settled in this day and generation. In fact, all political questions left unsettled at tho end of the war would bo pushed out of tho way by more urgent; social questions. It wns nil very well to flay that Ireland would pivo Hio men if ehe had Homo Rulo. this Imperial Parliament wus chnrftod with the mity of looking after the affnirs of the United Kingdom, and in the present national emergency it could not evnde its duty to call on tho man-power of all parts of thq country to boar their sharo in providing for tho common safety. In his view, tliero was :i special obligation in that respect on Ireland, becaiiso of the strip of sea Mint separated her from Britain. German submarines wore prnwl'ng iibout tho Irish Channel, and they would ns soon sink a bontload 'of Irishmen as of Scotsmen, or Welshmen. or oven of Englishmen. Thereforo there was a special obligation on Ireland to como to the aid of the Army and Navy.

Attacks, by submarines on Irish fishing boats within the Inst few (lays, though not (hen by any means for the first time, have given point to the Minister's words, but it is hardly necessary to resort to such an illustration to demonstrate whore Ireland's duty and interest lie. It is plain enough that by abstaining from a full part in the war she is not only making the enactment of Home Rule difficult, but is inviting the frightful calamity o f German rule, or at all events is preserved from that alternative only because the British Army and Navy -stand between her and harm. That there arc Irish divisions on the bat- .. tlefront who have given a gallant account of themselves does not mend matters, for these divisions are today left unsupported by their countrymen who should be eager to avenge the fallen and carry on tho struggle upon which their fate and all they hold dear depends. This is ii state of affairs which should do. intolerable to any loyalhearted Irishman. Viscount Fhench has offered an easy way of escape. His proposals arc framed with a consideration for Irish industrial and other interests which it has been found impossible to extend in other parts of the Empire, least of all in England, Scotland, and Wales. In asking Ireland to furnish voluntarily 50,000 men Lo replenish her divisions in the field, and thereafter to send reinforcements at the rate of two or three thousand per month, he is suggesting a very much less serious drain upon her. Man-power than has been imposed in other British countries. That the recruiting call is addressed chiefly to young men in the towns, With a view to leaving undisfurbed the Irish rural industries which have developed apace during tlie- war period, should also tend to make the proposals acceptable as a basis of compromise; and the task of thoso with whom it rests to rouse the manhood "of Ireland to respond to the call to arms is no doubt lightened by the promiso that as far as possible land will .be provided for the men who have fought. In every detail the Lord Lieutenant's proposals aro marked by moderation and generous concession, and the Irish leaders with whom it largely rests to nullify them or carry them into effect will be shortsighted and unwise if they fail to respond in a similar spirit. No more onerous demand is now made upon Ireland than that she should in part fulfil her plain duty. If the Irish people at this stage are misled into maintaining an irreconcilable attitude they will •be taking t-lio surest course to forfeit the wnole-hearted sympathy with their political aspirations on .the part of the British democracy, the oversea- Dominions, and America, which in mass represents an allsufficient guarantee that these aspirations will be reasonably satisfied.