In Ireland, a limited task had been defined, to keep up the necessary reserves for fifty-three battalions of infantry, and he pointed to the fact that so far the new organization of recruiting was producing the stipulated flow.
On these grounds, he said, the Irish party would oppose the measure, and on January 5th that opposition was offered, though Ireland was excluded from the Bill.

But the first division showed a majority of more than ten to one for the proposal; and in face of that, when the House returned to the discussion, Redmond declared that Irish opposition must cease--especially in view of the support given by the responsible leaders of Labour.

Sir Edward Carson, following, pressed him to go one step farther and accept the inclusion of Ireland in the Bill.

Nothing, he said, could do so much to conciliate Ulster.

This was the first time that any suggestion of this possibility had come from that quarter, and it came in backing a suggestion which Redmond could not accept.