We deal elsewhere with the arguments of Mr. Churchill, who
moved the Second Reading of the Home Rule Bill in the Commons on Monday. He was followed by Mr. Long, who moved the rejection of the Bill. The Prime Minister had declared that a Government which proposed Home Rule ought to be independent of the Nationalists, yet they were pressing forward this Bill at a time when they were more dependent on Nationalist support than ever before. They had made no attempt to answer pertinent questions as to the Constabulary and the reserved services, and by surrendering the right to administer the land laws they were proposing to abandon the security which had induced the British tax- payer to provide money for land purchase. As for the plea that the Bill would smooth the path to Federalism, what right had the Government to prejudge that question P The Opposition, he declared, were in deadly earnest and determined to stand by the men of Ulster and oppose the measure to the last. Among other speakers was Mr. Cave, who gave an impressive account of the Easter demonstration in Belfast. Those who had witnessed that meeting knew they were in presence of a hard fact which must make the Government's Bill either a great fiasco or, perhaps, a great tragedy.
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