Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1903-03-30
IRISH LAND BILL
READ FIRST TIME
NEW MEASURE MARKS EPOCH
IN IRELAND'S HISTORY.
JOHN REDMOND FAV0RS IT
Great Celtic Leader Says Bill Will
Meet the Demands of the Irish Peo-
ple-Relief to be Administered on
a Commercial Rather Than a Ju-
dicial Basis-Will Pass.

London, March 26.-Irish Secretary
Wyndham introduced the Irish land
bill in the house of commons yester-
day. IL proposes a free grant of $780,
100000 for the purposes of the bin.
Mr. Wyndham announced that the
government thought cash aid was nee
essary for the fulfllment of the pro-
posed scheme, but it attached greater
Importance to the credit operation
than to the cash operation. He then
unfolded the old scheme which pro
vides for advances of money for the
purchase of land by the tenants. The
advances will be in the shape of cash
and not of stock, but in order to en-
able the cash to be raised new stock
is to be floated.
The purchase of land in the future
will proceed by the sale of estates, UNI
der three commissioners, who will be
empowered to decide what constitutes
an estate. The commissioners may re-
fuse TO sanction the sale of poor hold
ings unless there are reasonable facil-
tiles for their enlargement where nee
essary and for adequate access to turf
for fuel. The government thought the
period for repayment of all loans
should be 6S12 years.
Interest in this new legislation,
which. it is hoped, will promote peace
and contentment in Ireland, was
shown by a crowded house. The peers
gallery and distinguished strangers
galleries were filled, and there has
been no such gathering of members of
parliament since the opening of the
session. In the diplomatic gallery sat
United States Secretary Henry White,
an interested spectator, while almost
every Irish peer listened to Wynd-
hams exposition of the bill. From an
early hour yesterday the stone benches
from the house of commons entrance
TO the lobby doors were packed with
impatient Irishmen, among whom were
many priests. Most of these went
away without seeing even the inside
of the legislative chamber, the CALLER
les of which were crowded as has not
been the case for many a day. Michael
/
celebrated his 57th birthday by re-en-
tering the house for the first time
since he ceased to be a member, in or
der to hear the chief secretary of Ire
land unfold his plans.
For the most part the liberal mem
bers at glum, the applause coming
from the Irish benches. A hush OF
expectation fell on the assembly as
John Redmond the Irish leader, rose
to speak. III he refused to cOunten-
ance the bill, death and perhaps even
the governments downfall, was de.
creed. When the galleries found
him sympathetic and nOn-committal,
feeling of great relief prevailed on
all sides. What Sir Henry Campbell
Bannerman, the liberal leader, and
others said, had little effect. Even
Il. w. Russell, who with others criti-
cized the details and various omis
sions in Wyndham's plan, wound up
with the gutteral and reluctant ad-
mission that 1T Is a great bill"
The passags of the first reading of
The bill was followed by a rush to the
lobby, where ensued scenes that
might well make the ghost of Parne!l
| turn in his grave. The tall form Of
Lord Dudley, lord lieutenant of Ire
| land, could be seen amidst crowd of
nationalists who scarcely a year ago
would rather have suffered any pen
atty than associate with the official
head of the Irish government. Be
side Lord Dudley stood griZzled little
Sir Anthony Mcdonnell, first national
assistant Irish secretary. He it was
who drafted the bill Many unionist
members joined the group. The Duke
of Abercorn, the most powerful land
lord in Ireland, asked to be introduced
to John Redmond, with whom the
leader of the Irish landlords heartily
shook hands and they patched up the
peace of Ireland over the commons
refreshment bar.
Earl Dunraven, who with John Red
mond shares the greatest RESPONSE
bility for yesterdays procedure.
slipped out quietly to avoid cOngratu-
lations. He said to the Associated
| Press:
Il believe the bill will meet the re
Quirements of all parties. Though I
have not had a chance to read them
and cannot speak definitely concern
| ing the details of the measure, it
does certainly seem as though a new
era was dawning on a new Ireland"