The Irish standard., 1901-10-05

were made more stringent in their
terms and harshly carried into opera
ton. Acts Of violence were frequent
on the part of the soldiers who were
drafted into the settlement, and the
delegates left England in considerable
perturbation as to the fate which
awaited their persons and property on
their return.
| The Chupat men We're not altogether
unprepared for an unfavorable issue,
for they knew something of the diplo,
matte difficulties in the way. But with
characteristic tenacity they were not
disposed to accept mo- as an answer,
and with equally characteristic busi-
ness precision they sought another way
out of their trouble-a hard way no
doubt, but an effectual one. When the
negotiations failed in 1899 they deter
leaders wrote in private letter to
England: 1--WE must turn our backs on
the country we have made, after ex-
pending SO much energy and losing so
much sweat to make it fit to live in.
There are many of us who will certain
ly do this, and that very soon if we do
not get relief" These words were no
mere idle threat founded on momentary
vexation, but the deliberate utterance
of steady resolve which is now about
to bear fruit. A deputatiOn was sent
to Canada to inquire as to the prospects
of transplanting the colony, and, if pos
sible, to make arrangements towards
that end. So far things have progress
ed satisfactorily. A member of the
deputation came on to this country, and
just fortnight ago he left for Pata-
gOnia, accompanied by the Canadian
immigration agent for Wales, so that
matters may be expected to be speedily
in train for organizing more or less
systematic transfer of the Chupat set
tlement to the hospita'ble territory of
the Canadian dominion.
1t is as yet impossible to say with
what degree of thoroughness this can
be carried out. Some of the colonists
have struck their roots in South Amer
lea, and have family ties in Buenos
Ayres or Montevideo or business inter-
ests at Port Nladryn or Trelew which
could not lightly be sacrificed. Some
are too old to make so great change,
and others are too poor to afford it..
But Of the 1000 Welshmen now in
Patagonia it isl certain that a goodly
proportion will seek new homes in the
northern portion of the American con-
tinent. There is something of the he
roic about this second voluntary ex.
|patriatiOn of these obscure Welsh farm
ers on the South Atlantic. We find moth
ing precisely analogous in it. 1t con-
trasts favorNbly with the ultimate trek
of the Beers, which was simply a flight
from the restraining influences Of civil
ization, and the principles at issue not
ably differentiate it from the final jour-
tey of the Mormons from Missouri to
Utah. 1t is impossible for Britons at
home not to admire the stubborn grit
with which this little band of our
countrymen have clung to their ma
tionality, their Language, their religion,
and their belief in the right of self
government. 1t is difficult not to ad-
mire yet more the cheerfulness with
which for the sake Of these things
they are prepared to sacrifice their ma
terial advantages accumulated during
36 years of peaceful toll Such a
choice had unfortunately become in
euitable The steady encroachments of
the Argentine executive on the unwrit-
ten constitution hitherto enjoyed by
Chupat have reduced the settlement to
a status similar to that now existing in
Finland. Many of the Films have al.
ready found an asylum in Canada, and
many of the Chupat men are preparing
to follow their example. But they do
so under happier auspices than the ex-
lies from the Baltic, for in exchanging
from the republic of the Silver River
to the dominion Of the maple leaf they
accomplish their great desire by regain
ing their race allegiance as members
of the British empire.-A Welsh paper