New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1882-05-13
CAN THIS TRAYQUILLIzE IRELANDi

| defeat.
CAN THIS TRANQUILLIZE IRELAND3
| Tn its political effects the new bill for the
repression of crime in Ireland is at once
sedative and an irritant. TO the moderate
Liberals, who were alarmed by the Govern
ment's sudden reversal of its Irish policy, and
whose apprehensiOns were speedily confirmed
by tidings of assassination, the measure
brings unexpected relief. 1t will quiet their
nerves, stimulate their party loyalty and re-
move the suspicion that the Government
would have recourse to palliative measures In
so critical an emergency The speeches OF
Mr. Forster and Mr. GOschen disclose the sat
isfaction with which the moderate men
of the party regard this stringent policy.
On the other hand, it irritates the Irish MEM
bers at points where they are most sensitive.
Mr. Parnell emerged from Kimainham with
the proud consciousness that he had brought
the Government to terms and eXtortcd from
the English people the confession that the
spirit of Irish patriotism could not he broken
down by force bills and arbitrary arrests. lie
now finds himself in an cquivocal position OF
bargaining for his liberty and getting III re-
turn for his proffcred aid in amending the Land
bill q new Coercion Act that in many respects
is more yexatiOus than the first one was. In
order to sustain his reputation i'll Ireland he
must make furious attack upon the measure,
and protract the struggle precisely as he did
a wear ago. His associates have already de-
nounced the Government for abandoning the
new policy of Cancellation. AS the contest Is
prolonged their evaporation will increase, and
when so drastic a measure has finally been
oh no
likely to cooperate with any heartiness in
securing the passage of the Arrears amend
ments What may then prove an irriIaut to
the moderate Liberals may not be scdative
to the Irish members, who cannot afford to
take the risks of any fluctuations in their
popularity on the island.
Without reference to its effects upon thc
| fortunes of leaders and the movements of Par
| iamentary groups, this measure is certain to
prove a new irTitant to the Irish people
Brought forward on the plea of a ncces-
sity created by Fenian demonstration
| of unparalleled barbarity, 1t does not dis
| eliminate between agrarlan and n0n-agraIlan
| crime In fact, it establishes special tribunals
| for dealing with large class OF offences
which have been directly promoted by the
Land League agitation. Ordinary juries have
either been inundated by or are in secret SYM
patty with the tenants. They have lent no
assistance to the authorities i'll the suppression
of outrages. The new bill does not aim to
raise the standard of juries by artificial means,
nor to change the venue of cases from one
county to another nor to substitute a majority
| for unanimous verdict. 1t does not, in accord
ance with the suggestion of a prominent magis-
trate, suspend jury trials merely where there
has been one or possibly second disagreement
| 1t suSpends them outright III all cases which
| the tenantry have come to regard as patriotic
and necessary methods of warfare. 1t author
| ICES the Lord Lieutenant to appoint special
tribunals, consisting Of three judges, i'll a pro-
! claimed district, which shall dispose of such
cases by unanimous verdict without the aid
of jury. Now the judgments Of such tribu-
nails are not likely to be accepted by the ten
antry as impartial. 1t may be abstract justice,
but passing with the people for injustice can
not add to the authority of law. 1t will not
conciliate disalected communities. 1t will
cause intense irritation.
The question remains to be considered
whether this measure will be a sedative as
well "a an irritant to the Irish people. We
have singled out its leading feature, but there
are many subordinate provisions for the re-
preston of secret societies and the summary
treatment of Fenian desperadoes. Exceptional
powers of search, arrest and repression are
conferred upon the LOrd-Lieutenant and the
magistrates compensation for Ontrages is re-
quired of districts where they occur aliens
and strangers are subjected TO the most
rigorous treatment; press offences and
abuses of the privilege of public meet
ing are summarily dealt with and the
arbitrary principles of the present Coercion
Act, which will expire in September, are vir-
tualy reaflirmcd and extended for period of
three years. For aught that we can see, it is
IA renewal of the law as it stands-a law that
has not prevented outrages-with additional
appliances for the trial of suspects by judges
acting as juries In this way troublesome ne
| gotations with the United States Government
| will be avoided, and those VINO are guilty of
agrarian and political offences will be tried
and punished, and not left in the jails with
out knowing what charge has been lodged
against them, or on what evidence il is based.
Something may be gained in this respect. But
while these special tribunals may be effective
in procuring convictions, will they have q
tranquillizing effect upon the island The
English Liberals must think so, or they would
not resort again to coercion. Their American
sympathizers will still regard the movement
with apprehension.
4