Once more he quoted the example of the other statesman in the Empire whose position had most analogy with his own.

"I honestly believe," he said, "that General Botha's difficulties were small compared with those we had to confront in Ireland....

It is true to say at this moment that the overwhelming sentiment of the Irish people is with the Empire for the first time." That was his claim, and in that month of January 1916 he was fully entitled to make it; and the House, I think, recognized his justification.

His speech has in it the ring of confidence, of assurance that he would be taken at his word.
"Rest satisfied," he said; "do not try to drive Ireland." Wise words, and they were not unwisely listened to.

There was no room for doubting this man's earnestness when he went on to tell how he himself had recently met Irish troops in the field, and had then pledged himself to them to spare no effort in raising the necessary reserves for their ranks among their own countrymen.