Mr. Lloyd George argued with both moderation and cogency that
the exclusion of the six counties was simply a matter of phraseology. He agreed that the exclusion was to be " provisional," for it was to be reviewed at the end of the war by an Imperial Council. = Never- theless it was common ground that there wag to be no " automatic inclusion of Ulster. The six counties could be included only With their own consent. Mr. Lloyd George was much interrupted by the Nationaliets during this explanation, but his statement on this point is really unassailable. 'As for the reduction of the Irish representa- tion at Westminster, Mr. Lloyd George said frankly -that -the Unionists-in-.the Cabinet had refused to consent to the retention of the Irish Members in undiminished numbers after the next Election if Home Rule should then be in operation. He deeply regretted the decision of the. Nationalists, but it was impossible to bring Home Rule into operation during the war except on the terms announced by the Prime Minister.
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