22 MAY 1886, Page 1

Lord Salisbury made on Saturday a brilliant but very in-

judicious speech at St. James's Hall. He told the delegates of the Conservative Associations there assembled that his policy to-day was the traditional policy of the Tory Party ; that he was friendly to local self-government, but that Home-rule meant Separation ; and that whatever the present disposition of Irish Members, their successors would repudiate the "tribute." He maintained that Ireland was not a nation, but two nations ; held that there were races, like the Hottentots and even the Hindoos, who were incapable of self-government ; and refused to place confidence in a people who had "acquired the habit of using knives and slugs." He doubted whether the strong organisation of the Catholic Church in Ireland had not fallen into bad hands, denounced the section of the Irish people which fought out political questions by aid of terrorism, and propounded his own alternative policy :—" My alternative policy is that Parliament should enable the Government of England to govern Ireland. Apply that recipe honestly, consistently, and reso- lutely for twenty years, and at the end of that time you will find that Ireland will be fit to accept any gifts in the way of local government or repeal of coercion laws that you may wish to give her. What she wants is government —govern- ment that does not flinch, that does not vary—government that she cannot hope to beat down by agitations at Westminster— government that does not alter in its resolutions or its tempera- ture by the party changes which take place at Westminster." He would also, he said, rather employ British wealth in aiding the emigration of a million Irishmen than in buying out land- lords, and concluded by telling his hearers that while he received allies with great willingness, and was willing to assist them "so far as the agreement of their opinions would allow," the brunt of the battle must fall upon the Tory Party, though they should not seek to snatch a party advantage from it.