Unless, then, there is another alteration of plans, which Mr.
Redmond can, we think, be depended- upon not to allow, Mr. Asquith, as soon as the Lords have dealt with the Resolutions, will go to the King with the advice he has indicated in outline. But Mr. Asquith in his earlier speeches has in effect admitted what the King would be bound to do in circum- stances so confused and ambiguous as at present,—namely, declare that he could not agree to the advice to create Peers without a clearer determination of the country's wishes. The result must be an immediate Dissolution, possibly pre- ceded by the resignation of the present Ministry and the refusal of Mr. Balfour to accept office. What would be the result of the General Election no one can, of course, foresee, It must be noted, however, that there is just one more obstacle to be surmounted by Mr. Redmond and Mr. Asquith. On Monday Mr. O'Brien will make his statement as to the negotiations between himself, Mr. Healy, and the Chancellor of the Eichequer. In the course of the debate that follows we may learn the exact terms of the treaty between the Nationalists and the Government. There is a possibility that a section of Mr. Asquith's supporters will refuse to swallow the exemptions of Ireland from the new taxes. But though this is possible, we do not think it likely. As far as we can ascertain, the Liberal Party as a whole is as much under the Nationalist dominatio as is the Premier.
Previous page
