From the point of view of Home Rulers hew surely
is the beginning of a new and wonderful era. But does Mr. Asquith treat it as such ? Not at all. He moves the rejection of the Bill. No doubt it is in his judgment a very unsatisfactory Bill, but that should not in the eyes of a statesman be a reason for refusing an offer of conciliation coming at last from what Mr. Asquith regards as the reactionary. and obstructionist North of Ireland. As we have often said, it does not very much matter how unsatisfactory a Home Rule Bill may be in itself if both North and South agree to play. Sir Edward Carson in honest • and generous words has promised to play. Everything therefore depends upon the Sinn Feiners and. Nationalists. Will not Mr. Asquith change his mind and invite them to play toot We undertake to say that if they agreed to inn their Parliament properly and to observe law and order, it would be quite impossible for the Unionists of Ulster to stand in the way of a united Ireland. Opinion would be much too strong for them even if—and we should not expect, this—they continued to be reluctant. In taking the line he has chosen Mr. Asquith has incurred on his own showing a very grave responsibility indeed.
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