THE HOME RULE MU.. [To THE EDITOR Or THE "
SPECTATOR.") SIR,—I have read your articles on the new Home Rule measure of the present Government with much pleasure. You may remember that frequently in your influential columns I have advocated exactly the same scheme, with this exception, that I suggested a Parliament for the whole of Ulster and not for Six Counties. You have always been a consistent supporter of the latter scheme, although I think you are wrong. Most of the influential men and women I have spoken to in Ulster, although they desire to retain the present form of Irish government, do not unreasonably oppose an Ulster Parliament, and will accept it in preference to the proposal contained in Mr. Lloyd George's scheme, which they recognize as inadvisable and unworkable. It is perfectly clear, I think, to every thinking man and woman that Ireland cannot continue to be always ruled as at present. Some change must come; the only point at issue is what scheme is the best. An Irish Republic or Dominion Home Rule would mean an instant revolution the moment the British forces, naval and military, were removed. The Home Rule Act at present on the Statute Book has no friends.
How then can the riddle be solved ? I submit with the confidence begot by long residence in Ireland, and the closest possible intimacy with the masses of the Irish people of all classes and creeds, that the solution of the Irish question as proposed by the Pi fine Minister will be accepted eventually as a fair and equable adjustment of this most difficult and entangling problem, provided the plan is amended to include the whole of Ulster. The Protestants, of this loyal Province are bound by their Covenant oath, and I feel certain they will never revert to the mental twist which for a time made it appear as if they would be satisfied with the omission of the Six Counties. It is bad enough in all conscience, they argue, to have to abandon the Unionists of the South and West, but to increase the number by a cowardly desertion of their co- religionists in the North is a thing they will never consider. Besides, they think it would he unfair to themselves to drive them into a Parliament which would contain no really serious opposition, which is so necessary to secure justice and to maintain the freedom both of majorities and minorities. Ulster they look upon as a distinct entity, with well-defined boundaries, customs, and associations, with its own railways and institu- tions, all of which would be seriously broken up if Ulster were divided. There is not one single argument that I can mentally digest which is of practical value in this contention, which 1 trust will be ruled out when the clauses of the new Bill are being considered. A glance at the map as it is and as it would be when divided should convince any unprejudiced inquirer as to the correctness of this view.
If Irishmen are wise, they will accept this Bill, which will infallibly lead to union in the near future. It is by far the most generous yet offered. The feature of most importance is the Joint Council, which will bring together forty men possess. ing the best brains in Ireland, and if the constant association of such men does not lead to intimate friendship and goad understanding then I am a very bad judge of human nature and my own fellow-countrymen. Most people in Ireland (I know very many with whom I have spoken) do not consider the Bill is seriously meant. I have tried to explain to them why I think they are mistaken, because the Bill contains the only practical germ of settlement possible, and is besides full of good points. If Ulster obtains her own Parliament she will go ahead at once—uncertainty is delaying advancement on all sides—and will soon rival Belgium in wealth and prosperity. With almost one-third of Ireland happy and content the rest of Ireland must follow suit. It could never resist the lesson shown it, and the argument that what Ulster could do easily the rest of Ireland should be able to do better, because its advantages of climate and soil far outweigh in value the same conditions in Ulster. I think, notwithstanding all the sorrows of Ireland and the terrible happenings just now afflicting our dear land, the sun is rising and will soon shine resplendent throughout the land if only our statesmen are determined and resourceful.—I am, Sir, Lc.,
Omagh. EDWARD THOMPSON, F.R.C.S.I., ex-M.P.
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