ULSTER AND HOME RULE.
[To THE EDITOR OF THE " SPECTATOR.") SIL—When, full of patriotism, the Ulstermen volunteered to fight for Britain, they did so under a direct pledge as to Home Rule. When they left mothers, wives, sisters, and sweethearts they were told and believed that their womenfolk would not, in their absence, be put under the heel of the traitorous Irish, and they did so on the word of the Prime Minister of England, which is something greater than the word of Mr. Lloyd George. What, then, is the present position with respect to the war of thew Ulstermen if the pledge given them is treated by the present Cabinet and House of Commons as a "scrap of paper." There was a bargain—both sides must keep it, or neither need. The argument of Mr. Lloyd George that the length of this war justifies him breaking his word is most immoral. If Ulster in any Home Rule Bill now promulgated does not get all she was promised, then Ulster need not submit to it. Again, the latest Military Service Act calling up mess up to fifty-one years of age was passed only with the sop of Conscription in Ireland. Might not these old men say they were called out under false pretences? Surely no body of men can be subject to or compelled to obey a law unless every body of men is equally subject and compelled ? Conscription in Ireland is the law—is it to be enforced ? If it is not, the women of England will soon want to know why.—I am, Sir, &c.,
SCOTSMAN.
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