51 They are prepared to introduce a Bill on these lines.
J Jut they feel that it would be idle, and I am sure you will agree with them, to introduce such a Bill unless it were assured of something like a second reading acceptance from both Irish parties.
I sincerely hopo that if the Government introduce this Bill the party of which you are the bead will give this measure of support to pro¬ posals which will give immediate self-government in Ireland to those who wish for it, and will at tho same time create and keep continuously in being the means whereby a final reconciliation between tho two sections of the Irish people can at any time bo brought about.
We earnestly recommend tho proposals which I have outlined above to tho dispassionate con¬ sideration of men of all parties.
If upon such consideration a basis for immediate action is found in thorn we shall proceed at once with the necessary steps to carry them into effect.
If this should not be the case there remains an alternative plan which, though it Jaas been sometimes seriously discussed, has never been authoritatively proposed: that of assembling a Convention of Irishmen of all parties for the pur¬
pose of producing a scheme of Irish self-govern¬ ment.
As you will remember the constitution of the Union of South Africa was framed, despite most formidable difficulties and obstacles, by a Con¬ vention representative of all the inteiests and parties in the country, and the Government be¬ lieves that a similar expedient might, in the last resort, be found effectual in Ireland.
Would it be too much to hope that Irishmen of all creeds and parties might meet together in a Convention for the purpose of drafting a Constitution for their country which should secure a just balance of all the opposing interests and finally compose the unhappy discords which have so long distracted Ireland, and impeded its harmonious develop¬ ment?
The Government is ready, in default of the adoption of their present proposals for Home Rule, to take the necessary steps^ for the as¬ sembling of such a Convention.
I should be much obliged if you found it pos¬ sible to give me your views on this letter in order to allow the Government to consider the matter before Monday.
Yours sincerely,
D.
LLOYD GEORGE
