The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1889-04-27
HIS RETURN TO AMERICA.
James Redpath, After Two Months
Tour Through Ireland, Comes
Home Well Prepared
TO EXPRESS AN OPINION.

The People Determined and Hopeful, and
Home Rule Now Only a Question
Of Few Years,
Mr.. James Redpath has returned
from Ireland, where for two months
past he has been interviewing the lead
ers of the lrish National party on the
condition and prospects of the popular
movement for home rule.
A reporter called at his home, NO.
l41 West Sixty third street, New York
city, on the 18th inst, to ascertain
whether there were any additional facts
that he would be willing to communl-
cate, and also to ascertain his personal
views on the Irish situation. After ex-
planning the object Of his visit the re-
porter asked;
"iave you any objection TO being in
tervjewed?''
James Redpath-Well, as I have
been doing little else tl.an ''intervleW-
ing' for the last two months, and never
was refused, it would be rather ungra-
cious for me to decline a similar invi-
tation. Go ahead.
Reporter-Well, while YOU reported
what the Irish leaders thought or said,
you have never given your own opin-
ions, except by way Of inference or in
dorsement. I want to ask you precise.
ly the same questions that you asked
John Dillon.
TIE; STATE OF IRISH FEELING TO DAY.
James Redpath-If any of my Irish
friends, just returned from an Irish
tour, had reported to nae before I left
New York the actual facts about Ire
land as found them would not have
believed them. I should have thought
tha5 his sympathy with Parnell's pol
icy had caused him to exaggerate. Be-
fore I had interviewed all the men
whom I had selected for that purpose
the space had contracted for was ex-
hausted. But l will give you all the
matter you want, and be glad of such a
chance to help rally the stragglers from
the Irish movements over here and urge
them to take g hand in the last round
| to be 'sin at the ceath" of Tory tyranny
in Ireland. Go on.
Reporter is old Ireland and
how does she stand? Are the people
as united as they were on your previous
! visit in 1880, in the early DAYS Of the
land league? +
James Redpath-Ihe Irish to. daY are
less enthusiastic perhaps-less sun
bursty-than they were in 1880; but
they are as determined as then and
vastly more hopeful. The Irish to-day,
of all shades Of nationalist opinion.
firmly believe that England will yield
home rule within three or four years at
the furthest Therefore. as this long
praYed-fcr boon is SO near at hand, and
as they can only get it so soon with the
aid Of the English liberals, the old ha-
tired of all England aud everything Eng
ish has disappeared. and the traditional
detestation of the Saxon is now con-
fined 60 the Tories and Liberal Union
lists. Next to Parnell, no man living is
more honored and trusted in ireland
than Gladstone. Next to him the most
popular English politician is Earl
Spencer, who as lord lieutenant Of Ire.
land few years ago, imprisoned and
hanged more Irish patriots than any of
his predecessors for generations. AS
compared with Balfour, "Buckshot
Forster is regarded as having been
rather a decent ruler. The reason of
this change of opinion regarding these
men is that they have changed their
policy and are advocates of home rule.
AS for the government, it is to- day
more cruel and despotic than it was
even under Forster The present CO.
ercion bill practically abolishes all civil
law and establishes martial law, with
out the protection that the professional
pride and self respect of the military:
throw over the legitimate enforcem ent
of martial law. Whoever the chief
secretary wants to throw into Jail is
imprisoned, with evidence or without.
More than half of Ireland is proclaim
ed. that is, the right Of free press and
free speech is denied in one-half of Ire
land. One-third of the Irish members
of parliament have been imprisoned.
Not one of them did any act that would
be illegal in England to day. 1t helps
q public man in Ireland to haYe been in
Jail for the sake of ireland, and prison
life has rather charm tl.an terror for
everyone who has a desire to be con-
spicuous in the national contest. Wo-
men and girls are as defiant as the men
and boys.
HARMONY AMONG IRISH LEADERS.
| Reporter-Are the Irish leaders as
much in real accord as in 1880?
SLS'|)5 T. q X|15 . n