Mr. Walter Long, speaking at Nottingham on Wednesday night, drew
attention to the statement made by Mr. Birrell on Monday—that before civil war began Mr. Asquith would have stated to the world the opportunity which had been offered to Ulster and which Ulster had refused. We agree with Mr. Long in finding it difficult to be sure of the exact mean- ing of Mr. Birrell's words. On Friday Mr. Birrell, however, came to the rescue with a letter in the Times. He says ;—
" The only 'offer ' I referred to—and I did as in unmistakable terms—was the public offer made by the Prime Minister, and repeated by other speakers on scores of occasions and by this time known to everybody—namely, that, subject to certain con- ditions, the whole case of Ulster will be considered and her grievances met, if possible. . . . I repudiate altogether the false Inference that I was referring to private conversations—which, indeed, never crossed my thoughts whilst I was speaking. My words had reference only to what has been already said in public and must hereafter bo said in Parliament. Mr. Long is mistaken in supposing that I told the audience that Ulster will refuse. I have no reason to believe anything of the kind, and iu any event Ulster cannot refuse an offer until it is made."
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