On Wednesday, a very significant discussion took place over Mr.
Brodrick's proposal to prevent the Irish Parlia- ment from legislating in regard to aliens. If they were allowed to deal with this subject, there was, he argued, serious risk of our getting embroiled with Foreign Powers. Mr. Morley agreed that the argument was sound, and accord- ingly moved to add the word " aliens" after the word " alien- age " already in the Bill. This action was made the occasion for a regular conflict between the Irish Members and the Government. Mr. Healy and Mr. Clancy protested against the addition of the word " aliens," and Mr. Sexton pressed the Government not to bring forward such amendments at a moment's notice. Mr. Redmond also objected to the proposal made by Mr. Morley. On a division, the word " aliens " was added by 328 to 139. The Unionists, for the most part, voted with the Government ; but the Labour Members, and a good number of Radicals, with the Irish. The annoyance expressed by the Nationalists was probably due to their belief that the American Irish would be disgusted at its being made clear that the Dublin Parliament would not have the power to give such of them as return to Ireland the rights of Irish subjects. For example, Mr. Patrick Ford cannot now be made eligible for Cabinet office. Ultimately, and at the motion of Mr. Sexton, the words were made to read " aliens as such,"—an alteration as to the effect of which no one seemed clear.
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