The result was a majority of 20 for the Government,
256 against 236 in a House of 497 (including Speaker and four tellers), several members of the Unionist party not liking to make common cause with Mr. John Redmond, even though they quite agreed with him in wishing to get a final decision by an appeal to the constituencies. Mr. Balfour showed in the frankest way his reluctance to vote- with Mr. Redmond, but said that he did not see how he could avoid doing so, as he entirely agreed with him that the question should be settled as only an appeal to the con- stituencies could settle it, though he wished Irish Home-rule to be finally knocked on the head, while Mr. Redmond wished to see it finally accepted by Great Britain as well as Ireland. Probably Mr. Redmond would not have forced on his amend- ment if he had not really hoped to get more out of the Unionists (outside the Home-rule question) than he could out of the Gladstonians who are committed to Irish Home-rule. The Gladstonians might probably be willing to give more, but unable to give so much. The Unionists would not offer nearly so much,. but could actually give a good deal more.
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