27 SEPTEMBER 1913, Page 12

THE EXCLUSION OF ULSTER.

[To THE EDITOR OF TIIII "SPECTITOR..1 SIR,—You argue very cogently that, having adopted the principle of Home Rule in Ireland, we are bound to recognize the claim of North-East Ulster for similar treatment. But why not carry the analogy a little further ? Ireland has been for forty years asserting her claim for self-government, and endeavouring to obtain it by constitutional methods. We are at last on the eve of success, and earnestly hope that all our fellow-countrymen will unite in the new order about to be established; but if a dissentient minority claim a separate administration, they will have to put their case before the Imperial Parliament as we have done. The passing of the Government of Ireland Bill will not be immediately followed by an attempt to carry fire and sword throughout the three northern counties. They will still have full representation in

the Imperial Parliament, with ample opportunity to state their case, and they will apparently not be wanting in sympathetic support. Their claim will, however, then be considered on its merits, and not be used as a means of defeating the legitimate aspirations of the vast majority of