Mr. Lloyd George then went on to say that Dominion
Home Rule involved an army and a navy. Would Mr. Asquith give Ireland the power to set up these things ? Would he, again, concede to an Irish Dominion Parliament-control over the poets ? " I want to know• when you are making- vague offers what you really mean." Mr. Lloyd George then used the following significant words : " I again say that if anybody-with authority to speak on behalf of. Ireland, whether established by plebiscite or by election, comes with definite proposals that-are within the clear limitations that I laid, down the other day, they will be proposals for the Government to consider." Nobody wanted to carry Coercion Bills if the assent of the Irish population to the law could ha secured without them. He still hoped that Ireland would abandon extravagant demands, and if that happened a satisfactory settlement would be reached. Meanwhile it was
the duty of the Government to give every possible protection to those persons who were doing their duty in Ireland and were being massacred for it.
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