1 Copy Pyrford Green,
Woking. 29th May, 1916. My dear Father, So far as I myself am concerned I should not care at
all about any results that the letter that you thought of
sending to the "Times" might have, from my point of view; but,
though I think it is a perfectly correct analysis of the
situation, I think it would probably be better tactics not to
publish it now. I quite agree that this idea of pushing through
a lasting settlement on the top of the Rebellion is insane : if
anything came of it it would be putting a direct premium on
Rebellion and, as you say, enabling the (very properly shot)
rebels to be held up as martyrs and heroes; but it does not
seem to me that, unless Carson and the other Unionists, with
whom I suppose there will be a consultation, have gone off their
chump any settlement (if by settlement is meant some sort
of Home Rule at once) can be arrived at. I should think much
the best plan would be that you and others should rub into
everyone on our side who is likely to be consulted the views
expressed in your letter, and get them to stick out on those
lines - that is to say the disasterous effect at home and abroad
of what would really be a concession to the shades of the shot
Sinn Feiners. If they use that as their platform rather than
the die hard Home Rule attitude, it will be much more difficult,
in fact, if properly put, it ought to be impossible for the 2 Nationalists to manoeuvre them into the position of being the party
which opposes a settlement and, (they, the Nationalists, & their
radical friends would no doubt say) hampers the Government from
their own selfish point of view: that is the line which the
Nationalists seem to me to be sure to try and take, and it ought
to be carefully guarded against : and any utterances in the press
that they can use for the same line of argument are sure to be
snatched at by Home Rulers. If I were you I would concentrate on getting these points
rubbed into anyone that Lloyd George is likely to come at -
beginning with Carson. I suppose there are a good many other
people who will be consulted as well as he and a good many of
them may need bringing up, as they may be distracted by the
idea that they should not be uncompromising for fear of hampering
the conduct of war. Yours H.