New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-01-03
AGITATION IN IRELAND.
RELIEF FROM OPPRESSIVE TAXATION
DEMANDED.
NOTABLE ss-MEETINGs HELD IN DUBLIN LIN
CAL. AND RELIGIOUS FAITHS JOIN IN
PRESENTING THEIR GREW
ANCES AGAINST TIE M

ANCEs AGAINST THE M
| PERIAL GOVERNMENT.
| London. jan 1.-The vitality and intensity OF the
popular interest in the dominant question In Ireland
| that OF securing financial Justice for the country
have been fully evinced by the great meetings held
| In Dublin Limerick and Belfast. Despite the hoi-
day season. these meetings attracted an influential
| attendance composed Of men OF all shades OF po-
cal and religious faith all eager to Impress on inc
British Government: their demand for the redress OF
! their financial grievance On Tuesday night an I'M
portant meeting held at Limerick. presided over
by Lord Dunraven. who sits in the House or Lords
as Baron Kerry He Is a Conservative. and has
heretofore been a stanch supporter OF the Govern
ment but his appearance as chairman OF the Linz
erck meeting proof that he will be found oppos-
| Ing the Cabinc; on the question OF irish taxauon
unless the Government make concessions which
will avert an open fight.
One Of the most prominent speakers at the meet
| Ing was the Most Rev. Edward r. O'Dwyer Roman
Catholic Bishop OF Limerick, who made strong
speech ng forth the wrongs under which Ireland
suffered In respect to taxation, and urging lrishmcn
matter what their politics. to stand together to
obtain lcssenng OF the financial BURDENS uhuer
which the country labors.
John DAILY. the recently released dynamiter also
spoke. His presence on the platform WITH l-ord
Dunrav shows how community Of Interest mas
caused political anmosites TO be laid aside DaIy
ELECTED cheers by expressing the hope that If Lord
Castletown of Upper Ossory remained true 10 NM
self and ireland history would proclaim him as the
successor of Washington. Lord Castlctown. who Is
n Liberal has taken prominent part IN the present
agitation. A short time ago he made speech at
Cork in which he denounced the Government Tor its
obstiracj I'm IL, matter OF Irish taxation, adding
that he hoped that history might not repea: itself
and the people Of Cork follow the example set by
the Colonists in Boston when they threw the tea
overheard In 1113
On Thursday night meetin.; was held I'm Bcifast
under the auspices of tho Chamber OF Commerce
The purpose of the meeting to instruc; the peo
p,e on the taxation question. and politics had no
place in the proceedings. Thomas Lough QiberaD
NJ p. for West 1siingtor. author OF E"Gltnds
Wealth. Ircland's Poverty" was the princioai
speaker lie treated extensively of the report o. the
commission appointed 10 Investigate the financial
relations between Great Britain and 1re,ard. Ire
meeting was largely attended. and gave evidence
no Jess than the other gatherings OF the countrys
serious concern in the matter under discussion
II has been decided recommend the appointment
Of another Royal Commission to investigate the taxa
ton question. nsteal OF a committee OF the House
of Commons as at first proposed This will en-
able the Governme.. TO obtain commission having
a majority free from the alleged Home Eu'e bias
OF the former commission. whose report in favor OF
Ireland has afforded ground for the agitation now
going on This proceeding will delay any legislative
acton on the question for the next sessions and
until the time arrives for the Cabinet 10 make a
grand coup designed TO settle the demand for au-
tonomy for ireland and TO reduce the Irish repre-
sentaton al Westminster under a redistribution o.
scheme.
1t cannot be denied that the last Commission left
some important points unsettled but the leading Wit
ress who appeared before tina; Commission and who
will reappear before the next Commission has told
representative OF the United Associated Presses thai
1t vii he impossible to disprove the contention tina;
Ireland pays annual excess Of 100000.
The Dublin Daily Express" the chief organ of
Conservative opinion in Ireland. in recent article
on the taxation. question said: III II be rcbeous.
sediiious and disOyal to demand what a commission
appointed by the Imperial Parliament avows -
Justly due TO us then all--Protestanis and
Roman Catholics. Inionis;s and Home Ruler+-rcbes
and disloyal men" This correctly represents the
feeling which prevails everywhere in Irciand-a feel
ing that portenls coalition in Parliament which
will be able II 1t be disposed make things mighty
uncomfortable for tie Government. John Dillon, the
wel.-known irish leader IA declared that the Govern
ment should refund 10 ireland the vast OF il2o-
00o000 the amount received from overtaxaiion in
that country in the last forty-hve years. and that
there should be an annual REMISSION 3 on Of Irish taxes
Though the Commission on the Financial Relations
Between Great Britain and Ireland conceded in its
report that ireland was overiaxed. the English
They do not admit that Ireland pays more than her !
fair share Of the imperia! expenses. aud many fig
ures produced TO prove that the contrary Is the
case. One Tory organ says that the per capita
in Ireland is far below that OF Great Britain. Il |
shows that the per capita contribution. to The i'm
arse n vor OF & to adm Of
amount expended yearly for imperial purposes Ire
land contributes f2.OoOOo while Engiands share is
lected in Ireland f6c0Ooo but instead OF
this whole amount being taken for tho Imperial FIX
cheqner. 100000 is devoted 10 local purposes The
Gent proof OF the fallac: of the Irish argument but
as figures can he made 10 prove almost any PROPOSE
ton the Irish decline concede that the Tories
and will emphaticaliy insist their grievance