Those who put forward the suggestion felt that some drastic action was needed to force upon Ireland the responsibility for a clear choice between the two courses, constitutional and unconstitutional.

Redmond, as Chairman, advised strongly against this.

He said that it would be a lack of courage: that one defeat or two defeats should not turn us from our course.

But it is clear to me that he welcomed the Convention as another and a better means of effecting the same end--of replacing the existing Parliamentary party by another body of men.
On May 21st Mr.Lloyd George's speech gave the go-by completely to the detailed proposal for a settlement on the basis of partition to which the Cabinet--including Sir Edward Carson--had consented.

It dealt only with the alternative plan suggested in the conclusion of the published letter.