MR. PARNELL ON IRELAND IN WAR T1ME. (To THE EDT/OR
OF THE " SPECTATOR.") Sin,—At this present crisis in the military policy of the Irish Nationalist Party, it may be of use to refer to a memorable utter- ance of their old leader. On December 17th, 1889, Mr. Parn.,11 delivered a speech at Nottingham, a three-column report of which appeared in the Times on the following day. In it he said :-
" I have no hesitation in saying that there was a danger of friction and mischief contained in Grattan's Parliament, which is not contained in the measure of 1886. Grattan's Parliament and Constitution gave us power of separate action in Imperial matters—a most dangerous power, and a power which was abused in those days. For instance, supplies for the Army and Navy were voted separately by the Irish Parliament. And there was an Irish Mutiny Act, which was passed distinct from the English Mutiny Act. And the Irish Parliament could refuse to vote the forces of Ireland for the purposes either of defence or of foreign wars. If you have this separate action under the Constitution, it is most dangerous to the integrity of the Empire, and sure to lead to friction."
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