The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-11-25
Mr.. PLUNKETT'S DEFEAT
An Interesting Lesson in the
Workings Of Irish Politics.
Dumped by Tories for Appointing
n Nationalist T. an Important Of
nce-r Thomas Fsail,v"n'" "ntin'
Against O'Bricn's order to Remain
Away From Next Parliament.

LONDON, Nov. 25.-Mr. Horace Plum
kett. President of the Irish Board OF Ag-
riculture. sailed on the Etruria today
His annual visit to his property in Ne
braska is the ostensible cause OF his
journey, but it is understood that he is
charged with mission to Washington
in connection with the mail service.
Mr.. Plunkett is an eminently honest
man and good patriot, but year ago
he committed an objectionable sin In the
eyes of the bigoted Irish Tories by ap-
pointing to an important position IN the
Agricultural Department man VINO, al
though admirably qualified for the post.
labored under the supposed disadvantage
of being Nationalist. For this offence
the landlord Tory party in Ireland op-
posed Plunkett's reelection from Dublin
last month and was successful. Plunkett
is now without Parliamentary seat. but
retains the presidency of the Agricul-
tural Department and remains member
of the Government.
Plunketts views on the present polltl-
cal situation will be worth securing. That
situation has Just undergone one OF those
one of the charms Of Irish politics VIII
liam O'Brien, as President of the United
Irish League, has ordered Nationalist
members Of Parliament to abstain from
attending the session next month on the
ground that they would be better en-
ployed in making the National Irish Con-
vcntior In January success.
The reason is altogether inadequate. the
session has been summoned for the sole
purpose of providing money for the con-
tinuance of the war in South Africa, and
the Irish members for months past have
been declaring their intention of OPP
posing such an appropriation tooth and
nail. John Redmond. John Dillon. and
other erstwhile leaders have signified
their intention of obeying O'Brien's or
der today, but there are signs of mutiny
in the ranks, and the lead is taken today
by the veteran patriot, Thomas Sullivan.
Sullivan still has yirile pen and an
eloquent tongue. when Parliament
opens.' he writes. 1.-THE blood of the Bocr
patriots will still be flowing on the soil
and reddening the rivers of the Transvaal.
When Parliament opens the flames of Boer
| dwellings will still be making a glare
at midnight, and the shrieks of the Boer
women and children will be ascending to
| heaven. When Parliament opens the Eng
| fish butcher Kitchener will be carrying
out his plans of depopulating districts in
which resistance to the English troops is
possible. making a. solitude and calling it
peace. as was done by English command
| ers in Munster in the reign of Queen
| Elizabeth" r. 2,
| Sullivan passionately calls on the Ma
tionalists to decline to make themselves
responsible by absteution for the horrors
| of South Africa, merely to facilitate
O'Brien's narrow, selfish factious object
| Another leading Nationalist insists that
| the entire Nationalist force must be in
their PLACES at the coming session for they
have two paramount duties to fulfill. first
exposing the awful misery and famine
produced by had koverpnent and cruel
taxation in India; second. exposing the
campaign of brigandage and arson against
the Beers in South Africa
1t will be interesting to watch the effect
Of these and other protests upon o'Brien
| The probabilities are that he will insist
on obedience to his ukase, and that will
| mean another Irish split.