After inexcusable delay, the Chief Secretary at last introduced on
Monday his promised Bill" for the restoration and main- tenance of order in Ireland." It provides for the trial of Irish criminals by a court-martial, including one lawyer, or by resident magistrates, instead of at the assizes, where the jury system has broken down through intimidation. Civil cases may be tried in the High Court or the county courts without juries. Convicted prisoners may be transferred to British gaols, to serve their sentences. A useful clause empowers the Treasury to withhold grants from any disloyal local authority and to apply the money in paying compensation to injured persons. The Government gave notice that the Bill must be passed through all its stages on Thursday and Friday of this week. The need for the Bill is obvious to all decent people. But the campaign of murder in Ireland will not be checked unless the Government make full use of the powers which the Bill gives them. Weak administration in Ireland is the chief cause of that country's misfortunes.
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