11 JULY 1914, Page 2

one can say is that most people, when they are

told that they can only get delivery of three-quarters of the goods they have ordered, and know that these goods can be obtained nowhere else, accept the three-quarters, though no doubt they curse the faithless merchant who promised the whole and is giving only a part. Ireland, however, is not like the rest of the world, and it is quite possible that the maxim that three- quarters of a loaf is better than no bread will not apply there. Time will soon show. That the whole loaf can never be delivered is certain. Therefore the Nationalists must very soon decide whether the maxim in question is a sound one. The whole problem, however, is greatly com- plicated by the question of the autumn Session. It may well be that a wrong decision by the Government on this point will upset the whole coach and precipitate a General Election.