1 Private
Copy 27th May, 1916. Dear Mr. Coote, I enclose a copy of the draft of a letter I intended
sending to the "Times", but which I have now entrusted to
a safe hand in London to use or not as he thinks wise. Knowing what very good information and advice
Mr. Asquith got from many people of influence and ability
over here, I am disappointed at the character of his statement .
The position is very difficult. Sir Edward Carson woud be
serving our interests badly by putting himself too violently
in conflict with any strong current of public opinion in
England in favour of some sort of a "settlement." I am
sure he will not give away our position here in substance,
but he may have to take up a position which, to some of
our more stiff-necked friends here, will look like some
sort of surrender; and it will be necessary, above all
things, to prevent our people losing confidence in him,
as, if they do, we are lost. We have no other friend of
sufficiently commanding ability and position in the
political world to steer us safely through the very difficult
water ahead. I am rather pleased to find how nearly the wording
of the second resolution I send you corresponds with what
Sir Edward Carson said in response to Mr. Asquith's statement. Yours very truly, 2 P.S. I enclose a typed copy of the resolutions I drafted
at your suggestion, and I add a copy of a further resolution
which I think we might very well pass. I think it would be
better that these resolutions should not be proposed and
seconded by me , but by some of the rank and file of the
Delegates. I enclose a copy of a letter I am sending to each of
the members of the conference on Tuesday in hopes that it
will save time at the meeting.