22 JUNE 1912, Page 2

Mr. Birrell, who summed up for the Government in a

speech laudably free from facetiousness, admitted that there still were black spots in Ireland, but reiterated his conviction that only a local Executive, supported by the people, could prevent crimes such as were now committed in Clare and Galway. The amendment was not seriously supported, and it- was useless to pretend that its acceptance would bring about a settlement. No one could view with composure the possi- bility of civil war in Ireland, but the Government did not believe that the condition of things after the Bill had passed would force intelligent men to appeal to the arbitrament of war.