On Wednesday Lord Loreburn spoke for the Government and Lord
Lansdowne for the Opposition. Unfortunately the overwhelming flood of oratory to which we have been exposed during the week makes it quite impossible for us to deal adequately with the Lords' debate. We must, however, note that Lord Lansdowne's speech made a profound impression on all who heard it. Though he spoke with his usual reticence and caution, it is clear that Lord Lansdowne is in agreement with Mr. Boner Law in the matter of Exclusion. The Lords, who, curiously enough, have under the Parliament Act the control of the situation, will not destroy any arrangement to avoid civil war by the Exclusion of Ulster which may be reached in the Commons. As we have said elsewhere, Exclusion holds the field and will win, not because of its intrinsic merits, but because it will prevent bloodshed, and is the only ground on which a general, if reluctant, agreement can be reached.
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