The age-herald., 1902-04-06
The Week in London

London, March 2s.--Naturally the talk of the day is around Cecil Rhodes just as it was around Barney Barnatto. There is a good deal of rank rot and nonsense talked about all these South Africa ad- venturers. Some run to praise that Is sickening to hear. All England Is money mad and the South African gang has dazed the public with glitter of gold and diamonds. Although I have always be- lieyed Rhodes exercised a baneful in- huence on the politics of this country. he was head and shoulders above the wretched crew of cosmopolitan sharks who would see thousands die if they thought that their death would add to their pelf, and would plant corn on the grave of their best friend if a few pence could be raised by selling the harvest. MT Rhodes, himself, was not over-scrup- ulous in the matter of money, but never have doubted that he had certain vague grandiose ideas as to the making of em- pires and I never regarded him as the contemptible money-grabber that most of those are who have been associated with his doings.
 He was merciful to MT. Chamberlain. Although, when witness before the Raid Commission, he held MT. Chamber lain in the hollow of his hand. The latter had so seriously compromised himeslf that, had MT. Rhodes revealed the real facts, the Colonial Secretary would have had to resign. Mir. Rhodes, however. in no way compromised him, and at the same time did not seek to evade his own responsibility. Of the pair, I have far higher opinion of Mir Rhodes than his associate.
 Things in Ireland are unmistakably bad and worse turks behind. News of the real situation Is suppressed and great promi- hence given to royalty, etc., in Dublin. We read great deal about Lord and Lady Cadogan and the Duke and Duchess of Connaught, and that Ireland Is learn ing that she has a personal interest in the royal family, but 1t will not do for the King to go to Ireland. Things are bad. Every Irishmans right to live under the administration of the ordinary law courts with the secureties for personal liberty that exists in England is dependent upon the good pleasure of the Lord Lieutenant. Again this Is due to the House of Lords. The Crimes Act passed by the Conserva- lives in 1887 was made a permanent stat ute. In 1892 MT. Gladstone having a majority in the House of Commons, wish ed to repeal it. He was, however, una ble to do so, because the Lords announc- ed that they would not consent to the re- peal. He therefore concentrated all his endeavors on a Home Rule Bill
 If the conditions imposed on Ireland prevailed here there would be an upris- ing in fortnight and royalty would be below par in London Any person deliv- ering an address to a meeting in Ireland may be arrested by a policeman who may not approve of the speakers opinions. and the meeting may be broken up by force if it declines to dissolve upon being required to do so by a policeman. Under this police censorship several Irish M. P.s have been prosecuted. They were not brought before the ordinary courts but before two removable magistrates. and they were. of course, condemned by these. minions of the castle. Coercion, therefore, does already exixst in Ireland. But by the act of 1887 the Lord Lieu tenant may proclaim at his sweet will any association which. in his opinion, dis turbs order, and agitates against the Unionist Government as represented by the Castle. The United Irish League is to Ireland what the Party organization of the Unionists is to those of that creed in England. It has branches throughout