The Washington times., 1901-08-05
THE VIEWS OF MR.. DAv1TT.
irish Champion Interviewed on the
Home Rule Question

NEW YORK, Aug. 4-Mchael Davitt
whose proudest boast is that he is
friend to Ireland and a foe t,
| England. arrived here on the Ameri
can Line steamer St. Paul from
Southampton yesterday He was mel
at the pier by delegation from the
Irish societies. and received invitations
from Col. Roger T. Scannell and John
o 'Callaghan. Treasurer and Secretary, re-
spectively, of the United Irish League OF
Boston, to speak in that city
About year ago Mr. Davitt resigned
his seat in the British Parliament be-
cause of the indignation he felt against
the action of England in the Boer war.
Yesterday he was particularly acrid in
his denunciation of the British position
in South Africa, and compared General
| Roberts to WeyIer, sometimes called the
! Spanish butcher
Mr. Davitt has been to this country
many times, occasionally as the represen-
| tative of the physical force party, which
| advocates freeing ireland from English
rule with the gun and the bayonet. He
| is now propOnent of Parliamentary ac-
| ton to bring about the same result.
My visit this time is for pleasure
| only said Mr.. Davitt. Il will go to
some of the leading cities, of course, and
, make few speeches. l do not know
, that ! will attempt TO bring about ces-
| sation of Irish emigration, but l know
that if l could succeed in that 1t would
be good thing for ireland. l will make
an address at the anniversary of the
United Irish Societies in Chicago on
August Is, and will assuredly speak in
Boston and few other large cities.
Concerning the emigration of the Irish
1 want to speak with a few of the lead
ing sh-Americans. If it is not checked
there will in short time be few natives
left in the Emerald Isle. l do not wish
to see my native land depopulated. and
shall do my best to keep some of my
countrymen at home. The population of
Ireland is now not more than half what
it was in 1876. when1 was born. / be-
lieve that If conditions were to be changed
SO that fewer would come here 1t would
be of benefit to this country as WELL
Are you still a steward of the Chiltern
Hundreds" he was asked.
Yes, l had to accept that sham office
so to get out of the British Parliament
when / protested against the injustice
of the Boer war. Then L went to South
Africa and saw things as they really are.
The Boer war will last at least another
year, and If in the meantime England
has trouble on her hands in India or else
where. the Beers may win their noble
tight for independence"
William Redmond. O. Brien, and OShea |
have been expelled since you left the |
other side he was told
Yes. l heard that when l got the |
American newspapers. O'Shea's trouble |
was over the Waterford prosecution"
rs the United Irish League at present |
attracting the attention of either of the |
British parties?'
Not much. The Boer war and its con- |
sequences have now the attention of both |
liberals and Tories They realize that |
England has got herself into frightful
mess of trouble in undertaking to crush
the people of those two little Republics
The war has cost England an enormous
amount of money and ner military pres
tige."
What are the irish Parliamentarians
doing in behalf of those Republics"
Admirable work They are united to
man for Boer independence. and by their
public protests have cleared Ireland from
sion in South Africa. They have practi
cally sacrificed the Home Rule issue in
the hope of preventing the Protestant
people Of South Africa from becoming
will the sentiment among the English
people in favor of the Beers lead in time
to the overthrow of the Tories?'
II don't think SO; but when they come
to foot up the bill / think they will hold
the Government party responsible for the
loss, and then there is likely to be a
change"
You don't think much will be gained
for Ireland by parliamentary methods at
This session."
Not much on account Of the great ma
JoEils On tIe government sue. IN tUc
next session. however, the two parties
may be evenly divided. and then the Irish
members may hold the balance of power.
The latter are standing firmly to-
sether today as in the days of Parnell."
How about the land question:"
1T could easily be settled If we got
Home Rule The compulsory purchase !
act will probably be the next Irish re-
'orm Ulster and the people of the South /
are united on this measure, and it will /
benefit the people greatly. .
TT has been said that the compulsory
and purchase act would practically be {
nortgaging ireland to England for the ,
lext forty or fifty years?'
Nothing of the kind. and If the Govern ,
nent will not advance the money the
,eople will buy out the landlords. No
money is required in the transaction, the
purchases being made on credit. II will {
10 away with paying rent, and in short /
How about the King?" ,
Il don't know him. He doesn't invite {
ne to tea !
Mr.. Davitt will remain for a few DAYS
I the Broadway Central Hotel. and will !
hen start on his trip. ,