The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-01-16
The New Irish Revolutionary Party


Americans nave been so interested in their
war with Spain and its consequences that
they have overlooked some notable events
that have taken place during the last
year in Ireland. During the whole twelve
month Irish Nationalists were engaged
in concentrating the centenary Of the
| Irish rebellion of 1898. Throughout the
length and breadth OF the island "'9S Cen
tenary Celebrations have been attended by
tens of thousands OF the townsfolk and
| peasantry. and n multitude of '9S clubs
have been formed, most of which seem likely
to be absorbed in the United Irish League,
an organization that promises to prove
more formidable than any Of its predeces-
sors, not excepting the Land League and
the National League.
That the new association embraces not
only those who believe in seeking home
rule by constitutional means, but also many
representatives OF the physical force party,
is evident from the tenor Of the speeches
made at some Of its public meetings. Os-
tensibly, however, neither instruction nor
intimidation Of landlords is contemplated.
The purpose Of the United Irish League is
defined in the brief resolution put forth by
it's founders: That. in the words of the
constitution lof the first club OF United
1rishmen, established in 1892, this society
Is constituted for the purpose OF forward
ing a brotherhood OF affection, a community
Of rights and a union OF power among Irish
men," The resolution goes on to say that
membership shall be open to all Irish
Nationalists without reference to any sec
tlonal differences. and all controversial sub
jects as between Irish Nationalist shall be
excluded from discussion"
The immediate programme Of the organ
~ization, which has spread all over Ireland,
has two aims, the one agrarian, the other
political. The League holds out to agri-
cultural laborers, who thus far have gained
nothing by land reforms, the hope that the
grazing farms will be ultimately divided
up among them, provided a vigorous war is
waged against the cattle and sheep raisers
Of Ireland. The tremendous scope Of this
movement is as yet imperfectly appreci-
ated on this side OF the Atlantic.
The truth Is that of the total acreage OF
Ireland onlyabout ~one-quarter was titled in
1897. Even il We assume that another quar-
ter is represented by bog land, mountain,
Va ieiie th"o ~ NitiAN Sibs'N " tlliCtt
there remains at least one-half of the soil OF
Ireland which will be affected by the new
land agitation. The exports from Ireland
will also be influenced to an extraordi-
nary extent. Few Americans are aware
that more cattle and sheep are annually
imported into Great Britain from Ireland
than from all foreign countries put to-
gether. Thus, in 1896, the value OF the
cattle and sheep imported into Great
Britain from all foreign countries com
blned fell short OF $53, 600, 900, while the
value of those imported from Ireland ex-
ceeded 500, 200, 900. This great export
trade will be swept away II the United Irish
League shall bring about the purchase OF
all grazing lands by the State and their
distribution among surrounding %occuplers
of holdings too small to support life. But
while that branch OF trade will disappear,
the agricultural laborers, who constitute so
large u part OF Ireland's population, and
for whom nothing has yet been done, will
be well provided for.
AS regards the strictly political efforts of
the United Irish League, these will for the
moment be directed to carrying the forth
coming County Council elections in Ireland.
Whdl IL nOpeu iOr WIS lnulcuueu lhSC sep
TENDER by Mr.. WILLIAM OBRIEN. the chief
founder Of the association, at a meeting
in county Glare. England" he said,
4" has given Ireland thirty-two local Par
liaments, and these would be made more
obnoxious to the English garrison than any
Irish Parliament could possibly be. TWEEN
ty-nine or thirty Of them would DO fort
resscs of Irish nationality"
Mr., I. HEALY spoke to much the same
effect at Corey. 1t was determined. he said,
'to make every County Council a focus of ma
tionalism." So, too, Mr.. JOHN E. REDMOND,
speaking in October at the Independent
Convention in Dublin. declared that " IL was
their duty to see that Nationalist maiorlties
were elected In every County Council where
1t was possible" The leader of the Par
nellites also announced recently that he in