1 Copy 22nd May, 1916 Dear Mr. Coote, I suppose the Emergency Act with your Clause in it
is not printed yet. In this case could you let me have a
copy of the Bill as it left the Commons, or if you have not a
spare copy of the Bill, a copy of your Clause. In order to
save time on the 30th it may be well for me to draft a short
Memorandum as to the position we are dealing with. The efforts of our enemies to create an atmosphere
favourable to the imposition of some Home Rule compromise upon
our leaders are very far-reaching and rather alarming. The
statements that Unionists in this country are inclined to enter
into any such compromise are totally false. I was at a very
representative meeting of Southern Unionists last Wednesday, and
they were absolutely unanimous in protesting against any form
of Home Rule. The publication of their protest was postponed
in order to ascertain whether our leaders considered it wise at
the present moment. Every Irish Unionist I have come across
considers that the objections to the establishment of an Irish
Parliament in any form are enormously strengthened by the recent
Rebellion and the mode in which it has been treated by John Dillon
and other Nationalists of the Parliamentary Party. I cannot
imagine Sir Edward Carson entering into any agreement with
John Redmond, if, for no other reason, because I believe John
Redmond has now a very small following in this country. The 2 Belfast Daily telegraph of this morning prints in its first
column some most mischievous rigmaroles. I tried to get some arrangements made in Dublin to
counteract the campaign for undermining the Unionism of English
Unionist papers, but cannot say whether my suggestions can
be worked. Yours very truly,