limit can be set to it? More pertinent
question still, what are the conditions which will inevitably be imposed
in exchange? Ireland cannot have it both ways. She must either hold out
for financial independence or, for every financial boon, submit to a
corresponding deduction from her political liberty.

If there were no alternative between financial independence without a
farthing of temporary aid, and permanent financial dependence with a
permanent loss of liberty, it would pay Ireland a thousandfold in the
future to choose the former scheme, remodel taxation promptly to meet
the initial deficit, and with equal promptitude set on foot such a
drastic reduction of expenditure as would ensure the rapid attainment of
a proper financial equilibrium. When once the Irish realized the issue,
they would accept the responsibility with all its attendant sacrifices,
which would no doubt be severe.

But there is an alternative, and that is to make good the initial
deficit, whatever the financial authorities finally pronounce it to be,
with an initial subsidy of equal size, or perhaps of somewhat greater
size so as to admit of a small initial surplus, _but destined to
diminish by stated amounts, and within a few years to terminate_. To
such assistance, given unconditionally, Ireland has an unanswerable
claim, and to such assistance she ought, in my opinion, to limit her
claim. Until two years ago she contributed uninterruptedly, and
sometimes excessively, to the support of the Empire. With men and money
she has made efforts for the common weal which no self-governing Colony
has made, though she has been treated, politically and financially, as
not even a Crown Colony has been treated. Just at the point where the
self-governing Colonies, thanks to the liberty allowed them, are
beginning to contribute indirectly to the defence of the Empire,
Ireland, as the ultimate result of a century of coercive government,
ceases to contribute. She can claim honourably, if she wills, to be
placed, by temporary financial aid from the authority which is
responsible for her undoing, in the financial position of a
self-governing Colony.

From the British point of view it is difficult to see any valid
objection to the course suggested. There will be no stinginess in the
settlement. Even if there were any disposition in that direction, it
would be idle to grudge the initial subsidy, because an equivalent sum
is already being paid. The Union will inf