1903] Dillon and Sexton 5 1 



" About George, Redmond said, the great thing was for him to show 

 a conciliatory attitude at the Second Reading in regard to amendments 

 generally, and not to put his foot down on particular ones, whatever he 

 might do in Committee afterwards. He also urged that Kilbride should 

 be released from prison before the second reading, as his case was one 

 that would be made the ground of a strong attack. 



" Yesterday George came to see me. I told him about Kilbride, 

 and he will release him on the plea of ill-health. He will also adopt 

 as conciliatory a tone as he dares about the amendments. But he said 

 the danger from his own friends was by no means over; Chamberlain 

 was cunning and unscrupulous, and would trip him up if he could 

 get an opportunity. If he gave him any opening he would wreck the 

 bill, getting at Arthur Balfour and telling him it was impossible the 

 thing should go on. 



" There has been a 4 disaster ' in Somaliland, which I hope may sat- 

 isfy our people — a dozen of our young blood-letters who made the 

 war for their amusement cut up, with the wretched natives they com- 

 manded. There never was less reason for any war than this, not even a 

 reason of possible gold, only the lust of a rampage. If the whole of 

 our military staff could be made to bite the dust, the world would be 

 a happier place. But they won't be satisfied. War is the new form of 

 sport all are wild to enjoy. 



" 28th April. — George has sent me a confidential note with a new 

 message for Redmond. He has got a ' touch of influenza,' which Sibell 

 tells me is really nothing but a cold, an excuse for his staying indoors 

 and keeping himself quiet for next week, when the second reading of 

 his Bill comes on. Redmond, under the circumstances of his illness, 

 had proposed to call on him in Park Lane, but he can't see him there, 

 and he wants me to be his medium of communication in discussing the 

 amendments with Redmond. I have sent Redmond word that it is 

 important I should see him at once, but so far have received no answer, 

 and time presses. 



" 30th April. — Redmond came to-day. He tells me John Dillon is 

 back from Egypt, very much opposed to the Bill. He does not want a 

 reconciliation with the landlords, or anything less than their being 

 driven out of Ireland. He will not, however, do anything ' shabby ' in 

 opposing the Bill. But it makes the situation more difficult. Sexton 

 is ' bitterly opposed,' and has the ' Freeman ' to back him and Arch- 

 bishop Walsh. ' O'Brien and I,' he said, laughing. ' have risked a great 

 deal in taking the attitude we did at the Convention.' I asked him 

 what view American opinion took. He said ' Thev don't understand 

 the Land Question there nor the Bill, and they will take the view we 

 take.' Such being the case, there are certain points Redmond must 

 press at the Second Reading, the chief of which is the withdrawal of 



