The policy of Sinn Fein, which. meant absolute independence, whether
independence was to be arrived at by one step, or by two steps through a preliminary phase of Dominion Home Rule, was the only alternative to the- Union. " I cannot imagine," iaid Sir Edward Carson, " Mr. Lloyd George willingly bringing In a Bill which nobody wants and then saying he will force it upon Ireland." He would not hesitate, as most people did, to refer to the religious difficulty. "There-is no use in•shutting our eyes to the fact that the demand for separation comes from the Roman Catholic community and not from • the Protestant community." Owing to the doubt in which the whole matter was plunged, Sir Edward Carsen advised his supporters to re- establish the Ulster Volunteers, whose work had been suspended during the war. This advice, of course, will cause another outbreak of the cry that Sir Edward Carson is taking " direct action," preaching sedition and fomenting rebellion. Yet there will be no more in that cry than there was when the Law Officers of the Crown examined the case against Sir Edward Carson and found that no action would lie.
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