PEACE AND THE REFERENDUM
[To rem Enna or nil "Seamans." J
SIE,—Your leading article points out very clearly the advantages which, under the acceptance of Mr. Bonar Law's " Referendum " offer, would accrue to the Liberal,. It is quite clear (on paper) that if the verdict were in their favour they would be in an immensely strong position ; whilst if the verdict went against them they would still be enabled to carry out their entire legislative programme with the one exception of Home Rule. Mr. Asquith was obviously taken aback by the offer. Why, then, did he not accept it and make the "firm offer" in return which Sir E. Carson asked for P The reason is obvious. The Government have no majority without the Irish vote. If Home Rule were rejected they could not count on this vote for the rest of their programme. So that for all practical purposes any " offer" of a compromise which allows the bare possibility of an adverse popular vote on Home
Rule is useless.—I am, Sir, Sic., UNIONIST. [In other words, we are to reject the Referendum and risk the spilling of blood in Ulster because the Government cannot get on without the Nationalist vote.—En. Spectator.]
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