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Show uo IRISH QUESTION TO BE SETTLED Belfast. June 23, via London, June 24, 2:42 a. m. A Nationalist convention conven-tion of representatives from the six outside counties of Ulster, which would be excluded from the operation of home rule 'for the period of the war under tho plan of David Lloyd-George, met here today and by a voto of 475 to 265 accepted Mr. Lloyd-Georr 's scheme. John Redmond, tho Natn-allst Natn-allst loader, and Joseph Devlin, thus secured no narrow marginal triumph, Jv& yU&wJty ft two-thlrda majority vote. This striking vote from the Nationalists from counties especially affected by home rule means that a settlement of the situation virtually is in sight, as the Ulster Unionists already al-ready have accepted Mr. Lloyd-George's Lloyd-George's plan. Since this is the decision de-cision of Irishmen who will be excluded ex-cluded from the operations of home rule and who thus are principally concerned, con-cerned, It Is not expected that any further serious opposition to the proposals pro-posals will be made. The most powerful pow-erful of all arguments that recommend the adoption of the settlement proposals propos-als was the clear intimation in today's convention that John Redmond had staked his position and career upon acceptance by the convention of his advice. Joseph Devlin declared that the other Nationalist leaders were resolved re-solved to stand or fall with Mr Redmond. Red-mond. Speeches denouncing partition were more fervent in tone than those which supported the recommendations of acceptance. ac-ceptance. Priests, who formed a large proportion of the 700 delegates, were almost all for rejecting the plan. Their influence in the assembly was greater than their voting powers, but the laymen outvoted them. John Dillon said ho would not shed a tear if the convention rejected the proposed settlement, but that in view of all circumstances and the changed situation which the rebellion had brought about, he felt certain that it was for the advantage of the cause of Ireland. |
