Mr. Asquith began his speech by a remark which shows
that, politically, he is either hopelessly blind or utterly at a loss for convincing arguments. Ulster returns 17 Unionists and 16 Herne Rulers. The figures, he declared, " dispose of the pretence that Ulster would rather die than accept Home Rule." Mr. Asquith must surely know that no sane Unionist has ever declared that the Province of Ulster—Ulster, the geographical expression—is determined not to be forced under a Dublin Parliament. What we say is that those counties of North-East Ulster in which the Protestants form the local majority will never submit to the rule of a Dublin Parliament - and a Dublin Executive. The attempt to conceal this essential condition by making use of the fact that in loose
talk Ulster is employed when the north-eastern counties of Ireland are meant was utterly unworthy of the Prime Minister, and shows to what straits he has been reduced. As a rule he is the last man to take advantage of mere verbal devices of this kind.
