After quoting the language of Mr. Dillon and Mr. Redmond
to prove that the full measure of their national demand was for separation, Lord Rosebery continued :—" There is, after all, a modification in this question which is as grave as that language, which is that throughout this war in which we have been en- gaged in South Alma, the sympathy of the Irish leaders has been given openly and avowedly to our enemies in the field Given these circumstances, no sane person, least of all that sane community of persons which is known as the predomi- nant partner, would ever consent to hand over the destinies of Ireland, at the very heart of the Empire, to a Parliament which should be guided and controlled and composed of those who have expressed their earnest wish that we might be over- thrown on this Sontheruleld of battle." The experience of dualism elsewhere, Lord Rosebery proceeded, had been dis- couraging in the last five years: but he would gladly give Ireland the privileges of the self-governing Colonies,—if she were loyal. Meantime he looked to devolution in a national direction in the work of our over-burdened Parliament, and a reform of Castle government, as the needful preliminaries to "some scheme of Imperial Federation allowing of local sub- ordinate Legislatures,—but when lam asked for an independent Parliament, or for anythingthat is to work up to an independent Parliament, I tell you plainly that it is not upon my slate." Finally, he declared (1) that it was impossible to satisfy the sentiment of the Irish leaders ; (2) that no Government should undertake the task which was not able to be absolutely inde- pendent of Irish support ; (3) that the question would be best solved by the concurrence and patriotism of both parties.
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