The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1880-12-14
COERCING CELTS.
GRAVE ASPECT OF AFFAIRS IN THE
"KISGDoA OF IRELAND"
The Land League Hore Potent than the
Gosernment-Expressions OF London
Papsrs-PrOspestiye split In
the Cabinet, ir Coercion
Is Resorted 10.
BRITISH NEWSPAPERS,
And the Grave Views they Hold OF 1
Situation In Ireland.

And the Grave Views they Hold OF the
Situation In Ireland.
LONDON, December ia Dublin dis.
patch to the 7ires says it is hardly cor.
rect to say that anarchy prevails in Ire
land, for there Is a very distinct and po.
tent government which is rapidly super.
ssding the Imperial Government, and is
obtaining ascendaucy. 1t rules with an
iron hand and a promptitude which en-
forces instant obedience. Its code is clear;
It's executive resolnte; its machinery COM
plete, and Its action uniform. There is a
government de tacto and government de
jttre, the former welding power which ia
felt and feared, and the latter exhibiting
only pomp but little reality OF power The
former Is terror to well.doers, the latter
no terror to evil doers. The Law Of
the Land League Is becoming the law OF
the land, and while the law Of the State
Is costly and TO q large extent suspended,
the new law Is effectively administered,
cheaply and conveniently. The League
courts are springing up in various places
and the people are instructed to have
their disputes decided in such courts and
70 90 no more TO the sessions OF local
magistrates. In the west Of Ireland they
have lately been surprised to find no
case brought before them except by the
police. The people have been for some
time advised 70 take this course, but they
are now beginning to act thereon as
rule. The penalties which It ia said the
courts have the power of inhictiug are re-
garded with more dread than those i'm.
posed under the statutes. Another
junction Of the new government, the
levyipg OF taxes. Is most etfec-
lively fulfilled. No rate assigned by
law is half as promptly paid as
that which the League imposes. Licenses
TO sell at fairs and in markets are required
by the new government, and their pioduc.
tion is enforced by summary process. The
only element wanting TO constitute the
new government body OF the country is
Q standing army; but the materials ior one
are at hand, and are being fitted for nss
when called upon. A knowledge OF this
fact creates deeper alarm, because with
an armed and disadected population
around them, the loyal subjects OF the
Queen In many places believe that the
danger which Turks beneath 1t is more
formidable than visible. The tenor OF this
fear Is rather confirmed than allayed by the
military preparations OF the government.
The arrival OF the frs. battalion OF Cold
Stream Guards, and an order for two more
regiments OF troops indicate, on the part
OF the authorities, a consciousness OF i'm
pending danger.
The Tina says In an editorial: II
seems too plain that the Irish government
has already allowed the reign OF lAwless-
ness TO assume dimensions II never should
have reached. Remedial legislation which
might be proposed and carried under
better circumstances cannot be pre-
sented as bribe TO purchase peace from
highwaymen. To check lAwlessness now
Is difficult; but what Is this difficulty to
that which must be experienced in check
ing II hereafter, II Its development ia not
now stoppedf When Forster comes before
his colleagues the most determined ofthem
who have hitherto opposed him must be
newly impressed with the responsibility OF
the situation. The futility OF the policy so
far pursued has been demonstrated by
bitter experience, and new departure
may as well be recognized as inevitable. 1t
would be necessary to pass an act TO dis
arm the population, and the time that
would probably be fatal TO the efficiency
OF the measure. /. is possible that those
who resisted the application for new
powers in legal way may now be com.
pelled to acquiesce in the assumption OF
the powers by the executive. with the un-
derstanding that indemnity from the Leg.
islAture may be applied for at the first op.
portunity. Il would be most unpatriouc
II the pride Of apparent consistency caused
the minds ot the eministersto be shut sgAinst
the evidence submitted to them In favor
OF the adoption OF stringent action.
The Standard editorially says: The sum-
monses for the Cabinet Council to day
were hurriedly issued yesterday. It is pos.
sible that tomorrow the immediate meet
ing OF Parliament will be announced.
Forster has informed his colleagues that
without coercion he declines the respon-
sibility for the government OF !rsland.
The Pail Mall GdsItk In leader this
evening says that the summoning OF the
Cabinet for a meeting to-day will not
cause much surprise 10 those who have
been watching events closely, and have
observed Forster's character. For one
thing, 1t has been an open secret that one
Of the most important members OF the
Government has borne with much un-
easiness the decision at the last meeting
not TO ask for coercive measures; for an.
other thing, the want Of grasp and firm
ness which Forster has shown from the
first, is exactly the quality from which We
might expect pTecipitancy at last.
Il Is very grave crisis both TO England
and Ireland. II Gladstone and one section
Of his colleagues refuse acquiscence in
extraordinary measures 1t seems almost
certain that the Ministry will fall to
pieces. II the government decide with
or without the assent OF Parliament to
adopt extraordinary measures OF repres.
sion they will remain at IN immediate
risk OF worse troubles In Ireland, and will
hand II over definitely 10 the Home
Rulers for the future.
It is probable that Mr.. Forster will OBJ.
tain In some form the extraordinary pow
ers that his subordinates at the Castle have
at last persuaded him he must. Il Is un-
likely that the ministers who have hither-
TO opposed coercion will break up tbs
government rather than allow 10 Decem-
ber what they might be compelled TO al
Ilow In January. The chances are that by
this time tomorrow we shall have once
more committed ourselves to the old poll
cy Of an arbitrary government"