THE DUTY OF THE LORDS.
[To TE1 EDITOR Or Tel °SPECTATOR:1 thoroughly agree with the suggestion contained in Mr. Oliver's letter to the Spectator of June 6th, that the Lords should reject any amending Home Rule Bill, and be content with reading this measure a second time and adding a clause excluding Ulster. The opportunity might also be taken of adding such changes in the Bill as would easily permit of a Federal solution of the whole question in the near future. Irish Nationalists are strongly against the exclusion of the whole of Ulster, but they gave away their whole case when they consented, in what they are pleased to term "the interests of peace," to the exclusion of four counties, nominally for six years, as if the latter matters in value a button. Everyone knows, if the Nationalists do not, that if these counties are excluded for six years, it means, in practice, until such time as they choose to be included, which, of course, entirely depends upon whether an Irish Parliament is able to conduct its business with success and efficiency. If it does, Ulster, or the four or six counties, will gladly join in; and if it does not, there exists no power which could compel the reunion. Another point equally clear is this—that the Unionists will never consent to the exclusion of only four counties. The point is thus fined down to this : Exclusion of six counties without civil strife, or exclusion of four counties with civil war and all its dis- astrous results. Surely no Nationalist who loves his country could really, hesitate in choice when presented with two such alternatives. He would be compelled to accept the exclusion of the six counties until such time as they consented to be included, this being the only alternative now possible. I maintain, in common with quite a large number of thinking and inde- pendent Nationalists, that the exclusion of the whole of Ulster is far less objectionable in every conceivable way than the exclusion of either four or six counties. Nothing could be worse for the Nationalists and Unionists than the locking up in separate camps of these two parties. It would be fatal to all business interests; it would prove unworkable and dan- gerous. It would perpetuate both religious and political antagonism and bitterness, and would be financially ruinous. Besides, it would deprive the Nationalists of the leverage towards reunion with an Irish Parliament which would be afforded by the constant pressure towards this end of the large and undivided Nationalist population of the Northern Province. Nationalists at present cannot see this, but it will dawn upon them by degrees, it is to be hoped, before it is too late for effective purpose.—I am, Sir, etc.,
* (Ea. M.P.*North Monaghan).
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