A FORETASTE OF HOME RULE HARMONY
"Mr. Devlin here interposed with a remark which was not heard in the gallery, and Mr. W. O'Brien, turning round to where the hon. member was sitting, called out in an angry tone something which was not clearly heard."—"Times'" Report.
House of Commons, Monday, April 6.—At third time of asking Home Rule Bill read a second time. Odd feature, in curious sitting that hotly contested measure passed crucial stage without a division. House divided on Walter Long's amendment for its rejection. When thereupon Speaker put the question that "the Bill be now read a second time" there was none to say him nay. Some folk of hopeful habit see in this incident a forecast of the end.
Debate unexpectedly decorous, not to say decidedly dull. Tim Healy did something to lift it out of rut. But he was more concerned to belabour John Redmond and to dig Devlin in the ribs than to argue merits of measure. Taunted his much-loved fellow-patriot and countryman with facing both ways on question of exclusion of Ulster. Attorney-General declared that Premier's offer of exclusion for period of six years was still open. Redmond, believing it was dead, had, Tim said, prepared its coffin, "and now the Attorney-General comes along and forces fresh oxygen into the corpse."
As for Devlin, he was introduced accidentally at end of harangue. Had interposed comment inaudible to main body of House, but safely assumed not to be complimentary. William O'Brien turned round with angry retort.
"There is," mused Tim, "one gentleman from whom on historical grounds I had expected firmness in regard to Ulster. It is the gentleman who has just interrupted me, and the grounds of expectation are that in ancient time downward from the flight of the earls the Devlins were the hereditary horse-boys of the O'Neills."
Remark perhaps scarcely relevant to Home Rule Bill or motion for its Second Reading. But it soothed Tim and didn't hurt Devlin.
Birrell having made cheery speech on situation generally, Peto rose with amiable intention of continuing debate. House had had enough of it. Persistently cried aloud for division. Amid hubbub Peto shouted dissatisfaction at top of his voice. Unequal contest maintained for only a few minutes, when McKenna in charge of business of House during absence of his elders nipped in with motion for Closure.
This carried, Long's amendment negatived by 356 votes against 276. Majority for Government, 80. Motion for Second Reading unchallenged; amid prolonged cheering from Ministerialists and Irish Nationalists Bill read a second time.
If only Sir Edward Carson belonged to some other oppressed nationality—Armenia, for instance!
Business done.—For third time in course of three successive sessions Home Rule Bill passes Second Reading stage.
Tuesday.—Browning, longing to be in England "now that April's there," would have been disappointed had it been possible for him to turn up to-day. So dark and dank that at three o'clock, when Questions opened, electric light was turned on. Revealed dreary array of half-empty benches. Had Closure been promptly moved a count out inevitable.
As in time of war the cutting off of superior officers brings comparatively young ones to chief command, McKenna (in the absence of Premier, Chancellor of Exchequer, and Foreign Secretary) sits in the seat of the mighty in charge of Government business. Fills the part excellently. Ten days ago Speaker cheered House by announcement that there should be no more Supplementary Questions. Welcome resolution either forgotten or deliberately ignored. Supplementary Questions, almost exclusively argumentative, assertive, or personally offensive, buzzed about Treasury bench like bees at mouth of hive. Home Secretary, alert, self-possessed, deftly parried attack.
While Questions on printed paper were being duly picked up, put and answered, midway in melancholy proceeding there entered Distinguished Strangers' Gallery a small group of gorgeously clad princes from the storied East. They surveyed the scene with keen interest. In their far-off home they had read and talked of the House of Commons, the central controlling force of wide-spread Empire, whereof their possessions were as a bit of fringe. They had travelled far to look upon it. And here in this comparatively small chamber, scantily peopled, they beheld it.
Is this the face that launched a thousand ships
And stormed the topmost towers of Ilium?
Fortunately for reputation of the House Rowland Hunt chanced to be to the fore. The other day, burning with patriotism, he issued a circular letter addressed to non-commissioned officers of the Army, advising them how to act in certain contingencies relating to Ulster. It happens that one Crowsley had previously circulated amongst soldiers at Aldershot a handbill urging the men to disobey orders when on duty. He was prosecuted for inciting to mutiny, convicted and sentenced. Members in Radical stronghold below Gangway want to know wherein the two cases differ, and why, if Crowsley is in gaol, the Member for South Shropshire should go free?
Attorney-General, to whom questions were addressed, diplomatically discriminated. Came to conclusion not to employ services of Public Prosecutor. So Rowland Hunt remains with us.
Business done.—A couple of small Government Bills advanced a stage. House talked out at eleven o'clock.
Wednesday.—Adjournment for brief Easter Holiday. Back on Tuesday.
Sir Edward Grey (in Sutherlandshire on the day of the final debate on the Second Reading of the Home Rule Bill). "Ireland? Ireland? Where have I heard that name?"