LORD LOREBURN'S PROPOSAL.
[To THE EDITOR 07 THE "SPECTATOR."] SIR,—While hoping that the proposed Conference will be able to devise some scheme that will help to unite Irishmen of all races and religious beliefs in labouring for the happiness and good government of their native land, the following proposal may afford a temporary solution, and give time for all parties to readjust their points of view and get a better perspective of the situation. My suggestion is briefly this To allow this Bill to pass—adding a clause to it excluding the four counties of Ulster for five years : at the end of that time the question of joining the other provinces to be decided by a Referendum. What I think gives some merit to this idea is that during these years the Bill would have proved itself unworkable, and necessary amendments would have been made in it. For five years we should escape the horrors of civil war, and during that time, we may hope, party feeling would have abated, and moderate men on both sides would have come to the front. These five years would give time to show whether statesmanlike qualities are forthcoming, and if things go well Ulster would in all probability gravitate towards a united Ireland. In any case, these five years of trial would make for toleration, and the responsibility would rest with the Home Rule Government of showing that measures and not creeds must be the line that will divide the various parties.—I am, Sir, &a., HIBERN mu's.
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