The Prime Minister took the line that there was somehow
some- thing encoursging in all that had happened. Ho defended the Government's dual policy, and asked why the Government should be blamed for trying to remove a very great impediment to the prosecution of the war. Not to settle the Irish question was not only to add to our own difficulties, but to increase those of the American Government. He agreed that the Roman Church in Ireland had definitely challenged the Imperial supremacy. In his opinion, that was one of the most fatal mistakes that Church had ever made. Nevertheless, in face of the fact, it would be an sot of folly to try to force through a Home Rule Bill. In spite of all signs to the contrary, he was persuaded that the atmosphere of conciliation gout(' be re-created. Mr. Asquith repeated the suggestion which he made fifteen months ago, and which has since been taken up by General Smuts, that the Irish problem should be referred to the Imperial War Cabinet.
