The St. Louis Republic., 1902-05-05

REPUBLIC SPECIAL.
New York, May 4.-Under date OF London,
Mr.. Curtis Brown sends to the New York
|. Press a thorough analysis of the landlord
trouble which is about to reach a climax in
Ireland Mr.. Brown is OF the opinion that
Ireland is on the verge OF a revolution as r
result of the wholesale evictions which are
to take place about the end Of May.
Big trouble is brewing in Ireland. and
C1stlebar Jail, famous as the enforced
abode of SO many Nationalist members Of
Parliament at one time or another, is get
ting in readiness to extend hospitalities TO
turbulent statesmen in unprecedented num-
bers about the end of May.
DE FREYNE ESTATES
CENTER OF THE STORM.
OF course. a storm is always brewing in
Erin. but the present brew is particularly
potent. The historic De Freyne estates are
the center of the storm, because of the fact
that 10000 people. as nearly as can be esti-
mated, are threatened with eviction from
their homes on these estates in the County
of Roscomnion. The tenants purpose to
fight the police with anything that comes
handy. and various Irish members of Par
lament who spend their Easter recess in
the district rep ort that If there should be
any bloodshed the Government will prompt
ly have its hands full with a livelier pro-
test than unhappy Ireland has made for
years.
The threat means more than it has at any
time since the violent outbreak Of twenty
years ago. for the reason that the United
Irish League, started in 1898. is to-day
stronger than the Land League was in the
days of 81. Yes-stronger even than the
Irish Government a startling fact (which
nobody can deny as they say in the song.
HOTBEAD OF TROUBLE
FOR HALE A CENTURY.
Those De Freyne estates which soon are
going to get into the cable dispatches fire.
Quently unless all signs fail. have been the
center of red-hot time for more than a
half century. The tenants say the man who
Is chiefly responsible is the agent OF Lord
De Freyne. vigorous Justice of the Peace,
who rejoices in the name OF Wolfe F1ana-
gan. Life is not a bed Of roses for this
agent and it was only the other day that
a mob got after him at Ballaghaderin with
the evident intention of tearing him limb
from limb. Aided by the police and a good
horse, he managed to get away. but 1t was
a narrow squeak
Lord De Freyne who Is by rank Baron.
inherited the row as well as the estates
from his father. He rarely visits the prop
erty. having a definite impression that the
place would be unhealthy for him. His ten
ants want to purchase their holdings and the
noble Baron might be glad enough to sell
them II 1t were not that the tenants do not
seem inclined to pay up arrears of rent
which must be done. according to the land
act Of 1871, before 1t is possible to apply to
the courts for purchase Of the land.
ARREARS ACCUMULATING
FOR FORTY YEARS.
Some Of these arrears Of rent have been
accumulating for forty years or more and
the tenants say their holdings-not more
than six acres on an avsrage-are too small
to enable them to pay the rent. Under the
advice of the United League most of the
tenants are Withholding a part at least. of
even the small sums they could pay. putting
the money, instead into the league. which
holds ont to them the hope of bringing the
landlord to terms.
Lord de Freyne recently issued circular
to his tenants intimating that 1t was a
case Of pay up or fisht-and fight 1t is.
There have been several evictions already
and few of the tenants have ventured to
pay their rent; but they have been regarded
by the others as traitors. and have been
given to understand by reason of boycotts
and midnight raids that they need a lesson
In patriotism. Despite the activities of the
police. signal fires on the hills, the blowing
Of horns and changing Of church bells are
surnmoning the people Of the district to-
gether for secret meetings. Already the
law Is declared powerless.
TyEJrRIATEn wOMEy
BAFFLED OFFICER.
A few days ago an officer conceived the
idea of serving writs on some Of the ten
ants while the men folk were away at a
fair. Although he was accompanied by six
policemen, the women collected and by
means of sticks and stones made 1t hot for
the invaders. who finally had to get out.
with all this preliminary trouble one can
get some idea Of what will happen when
20Oo families, comprising some 10000 per-
sons. are turned out in a bunch. Conor
O'KeIly. q good-looking young Irish NJ. P,
who with four other members Of the United