It was a quagmire of distrust which clogged the footsteps and made progress impossible.

That is the real enemy of Ireland." No one could say that the transaction to which Mr.Lloyd George was referring had helped to destroy distrust: and in view of the opinion held by Irishmen--and not by Irishmen only--of Ministers' dealing with Ireland, it was natural that this passage should provoke the resentment which was evident in Redmond when he rose.
He followed Mr.Asquith, and made it clear that Ireland did not keep its praises for the rising star.

He commended in weighty words the patriotism, the reticence and the magnanimity of the dispossessed leader; he renewed Ireland's expression of gratitude for the service done in the Home Rule Act; then, turning to the new power, he told Mr.
Lloyd George bluntly that his words would be received in Ireland with the deepest disappointment.

This was to be a Ministry of quick and effective decisions; but so far as our question was concerned, they had shown every disposition to wait and see.

Was Ireland only to be let drift?
Two courses might be taken--the statesman's, of real remedy; the politician's, of palliatives.