wing appeal for national unity:

_To the Editor of The Times_:

Sir: The Lord Chancellor, in his speech on Friday, called on every
Liberal to work for the peace of Europe, but to go forward
unflinchingly to civil war at home.

It is obvious that the only hope of England's effective mediation
lies in the unity and solidarity of the United Kingdom.

Is it not time that the common sense of the nation asserted itself
and called upon our rulers to take steps which will enable a united
nation to confront with confidence the perils which encompass us?

In moments of national peril every loyal citizen should not
hesitate, however painful the process may be, to burst the fetters
of party allegiance in order that he may devote his whole energies
to an endeavor to safeguard the higher interests of the State.

What is the cause which is dividing a so-called United Kingdom into
two hostile camps? It is the endeavor of a tyrannical House of
Commons to force upon the acceptance of the people a bill which in
the common belief they not only do not want but are strongly
opposed to. I approach the consideration of the national crisis
from no party standpoint, but from that of one who believes that
the peace of Ireland, the honor of England, and the strength of the
empire are all concerned in a speedy and satisfactory settlement of
the Irish question.

I believe that such a settlement is to be found in a measure which
will give to the peoples of Ireland powers of local self-government
similar to those enjoyed by the Provinces of Canada and South
Africa.

It is because the Ministerial policy of home rule is based on a
principle which would not be tolerated in any one of the
Legislatures of Washington, Ottawa, or Melbourne that I am so
strongly opposed to it. No party, no political group, however
small, could be found in Canada, Australia, or the United States
which would venture to propose that the Province of Quebec, or the
State of Queensland or California, should be endowed by means of a
measure like the Home Rule bill with separatist constitutional
rights which could not be given to the other provinces and States.

I challenge his Majesty's Ministers to deny this plain,
unanswerable statement.

I further challenge his Majesty's Ministers t