Mr. Redmond disclaimed all influence in the government of Ireland.
He had had none either before the Coalition was formed or since. As for applying conscription to Ireland, it would be, in his opinion, not only a wrong and unwise thing, but an insane thing. Colonel Churnhill intervened to say that,. though com- pulsion for Ireland was out of the question for the moment, it might be brought about by arrangement between Sir Edward Carson and Mr. Redmond. Mr. Long promised various critics to find out whether it would be feasible to insert a provision in the Bill making it possible to change the age-limits by resolution when- ever desirable. On Wednesday it was announced that the Govern- ment accepted this wise suggestion. As regards the Irish question, we feel bound to consent to Mr. Asquith's decision. We are sorry, but cannot really hesitate. The assumption has been all through that Ireland stood apart. The Registration Act did not apply there. It is too late to go right back to the beginning and recoil eider the position of Ireland in the present dangerous circumstances, as there seems to be no chance of agreement among the Irish leaders themselves.
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