I am sure that if you can get an assurance that the question of the admission is to be a _bona fide_ open one, that we should win on it--assuming that the Conservatives go for it. Such an arrangement avoids the necessity of either side marching under the harrow. {329} Once the question left open, in the interval between the Second Reading and Committee, we could get up a strong agitation for the "admission," whilst no one would be opposing us, and you would have all the credit of the alteration.--Yours truly, H. LABOUCHERE. _Mr. Chamberlain to Mr. Labouchere_ HIGHBURY, MOOR GREEN, BIRMINGHAM, April 30, 1886. MY DEAR LABOUCHERE,--I think that you must now see that the Irish Bills in their present form are doomed. I have a list of 111 Liberals pledged against Second Reading. Of these I know of 59 who have publicly communicated their intentions to their constituents. I believe most of the rest are safe, but, making all allowances for desertions, there is not much chance of forcing the Second Reading through. I know of many men who are pledged like yourself to vote for amendments in Committee, and some who are pledged to vote against Second Reading if the amendments are not carried. The Land Bill has no friends at all. It is difficult to say what my own following as distinguished from Hartington's is, but I reckon that something like fifty would vote for Second Reading, if my amendments were conceded. It is time that a final decision was taken. The fight is growing hotter every day and the division of the party will be irretrievable if the controversy is pushed much further. I am not surprised at the action of the Caucuses. I know them pretty well, and they consist of the most active and thoroughgoing partisans. But it is the men who stay away who turn elections, and there will be a larger abstention on this Irish question than we have ever had before in the history of the Liberal party. I believe the issue is in the hands of Radicals like yourself. If you exert the necessary pressure the Bills may be recast. Much has been done by their introduction. The Party as a whole has accepted their principle of Home Rule, and we might come to an agreement about the details. But this will be out {330} of the question if we go into opposite lobbies on the Second Reading. There is no necessity to withdraw the Bill at once. If the Government will give the necessary assurance of amendments to retain Irish Representation and Imperial control of taxation, we might carry Second Reading and then the Bills could be committed _pro forma_ for the necessary changes, or withdrawn for the session. All our people would be delighted at the postponement of the dissolution, and in the interval we might kiss and be friends. I do not suppose the Chief will listen to this, but I have thought it right to make one more effort before the battle is finally engaged--Yours truly, J. CHAMBERLAIN. _Mr. Labouchere to Mr. Chamberlain_