(EXTRACTED FROM THE DIARY OF TOBY, M.P.)
_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.
_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.
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[Illustration: 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?"]
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