We might in January have taken Redmond's advice, and Lord Midleton's declared view that legislation would follow might have proved correct.

Yet, what use are might-have-beens?
History is concerned with what happened, and our work in the Convention dragged itself on till the great German offensive had been launched and the Allied line pushed back to the very gates of Paris, and Government was at its wits' end for men.

It is hard to blame a Ministry for what harm was done in the frantic rush to cope with perhaps the most critical instant in all history; but what was done produced infinite mischief and no good result.

Immediately after the Convention's report (signed upon April 8th) had been received, Government proposed to apply conscription to Ireland.
It is said, and it is not difficult to believe, that without making this proposal they dare not have come upon the British people with so extreme demands for compulsory service as were made.

But by making it Ministers tore up and scattered in fragments whatever results the Convention had to show for its labours, and by legislating for conscription in Ireland they gained not one man.