The Daily News of Saturday startled a few, and amused
many, by a statement that the Government, in concert with Lord Hartington and Mr. Chamberlain, had adopted a modified scheme of Home-rule. All power over Irish affairs, as much as is now exercised at Westminster, was to be transferred to four Provincial Councils,—who, however, would not be connected with any central body at Dublin. We need not say Lord Hartington had accepted no such scheme, which, as Cabinet Councils have not begun, could not even have been officially considered. The scheme in itself is absurd, for it would entail every evil of Home-rule except the forcible subjuga- tion of Ulster, while it would in no way content the Nationalists, who want for their country neither freedom nor prosperity, but a separate place in Europe. Lord Hartington at once denied the report as far as affected himself, and on Tuesday, the Daily News acknowledged that no such proposal would be made, and took credit to itself for having " nude- signedly " put an end to it. Why should it take credit ? If Home-rule is a good thing, so is any long step towards it.
