There is little more to relate. Sir Edward Carson in
a fine speech showed how in the negotiations he had thought only of winning the war. Irish distractions were a playing of the. German game. "It would not be a bad day for this country or for Ireland," he said; " if Mr. Redmond and I were to shake hands on the floor of the House." Let Ulster, he added, be boldly struck out of the Bill, and then let the Nationalists try to win her: She could be won by' the spectacle of good government in the rest of Ireland. Mr. Asquith ended the debate by denying any breach of faith on the part of the Government. He would ask the country, if necessary, whether the proposed settlement was not "fair and reasonable." He still hoped for an agreement. Our summary of the debate shows clearly enough that Mr. Asquith was thoroughly justified in saying that there was no breach of faith. The Cabinet always intended that the Bill as finally approved by them should be the test. The nego- tiations were never at any moment said to be binding. Mr. Redmond. encouraged - his supporters to hope that the draft Bill was final. He was no doubt right to say that he himself would be guilty of bad- faith if he now asked them to accept:-less. But that is quite a different thing-from proving the. Government guilty of bad faith.
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