The Savannah morning news., 1903-03-26
RELIEF FOR TENANTS
HOW THE BRITISH WANT TO AID
THE IRISH.
THE NEW LAND MEASURE
PUT ON ITS FIRST READING IN
PARLIAMENT.

Deepest Interest Manifested in the
Great Instrument Secretary
Wyndham Presented 1t and Urged
Its AdOptiOn-John Redmond Did
Not Oppose 1t StrOngIy-BiII Seems
TO Draw Ancient Enemies Into
Friendship and Understanding.
Speech Made by Wyndham.
London. March 25-The Irish Sec
rotary, Mr.. Wyndham introduced the
governments long anticipated Irish
land bill in the House of Commons this
afternoon. 1t proposes a grant of $780,
100000 for the purposes of the bill.
Tenants are to pay 3A per cent. in
terest on loans from the government
Mr.. Wyndham said he thought the
scheme would not involve $500, 900 OOO
but that $3.50, OOOO 900 could be safely adj
vanced on Irish land. The advances to
tenants are limited to $500 in the
congested districts and $4,000 else
where.
The bill also provides that unten-
anted farms and grazing lands
shall be sold to neighboring tenants,
and that three commissioners to be
known as estate commissioners shall
supervise the sales. The names of the
three commissioners are Michael F'inu-
cane, secretary to the government of
Bengal revenue, general and statis-
teal department; Frederick S. Wrench
now one of the Irish land commits
soners, and VIM. F. Bailey one of the
Land Commission. They will be I'M
der the general control of the Lord
Lieutenant of Ireland. The bill will
become effective Nov. l.
The keen interest felt in this new
legislation, which, it is hoped, will
promote peace and contentment in
Ireland. was shown by the crowded
house. The peers gallery and the dis
tinguished strangers gallery 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 in
terested spectator, while almost every
Irish peer listened to Mr.. Wyndham's
exposition of the bill.
Many Irishmen Attended.
From an early hour this morning,
Commons entrance, to the doors of the
lobby, were packed with impatient
1riShmen, among whom were many
priests. Most of these went away with
out seeing even the inside of the legis-
lative chamber, the galleries of which
were crowded is has not been the case
for many a day. Michael Davitt the
father" of the land league, celebrated
his fifty-seventh birthday by re-enter-
ing the House for the first time since
he ceased to be a member, in order TO
hear the Chief Secretary for Ireland
unfold his plans.
For the most part the Liberal menu
bers sat glum, the applause coming from
the Irish benches. A hush of expecta-
Redmond, the Irish leader, rose TO
speak. When the galleries of the
House found him sympathetic and nom
committal, a feeling of relief pervaded
all sides. What Sir Henry Campbell
Bannerman, the Liberal leader, and
the others said had little effect. Even
T. w. Russell, who, with others
missions in Mr.. Wyndham's plan,
wound up with a cultural and reluctant
admission that 1T is a great BILL
The passage of the first reading of
the bill was followed by a rush to
the lobby, where ensued scenes that
might well make Parnell turn in his
grave. The tall form of Lord Dudley,
Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, could be
seen amidst a crowd of Nationalists,
who scarcely year ago would rather
have suffered every penalty than be
associated with the official of the Irish
government. Beside Lord Dudley stood
the grizzled little Sir Anthony Nc
Irish secretary. He it was who drafted
the bill. Horace Plunkett, Lord
Iveagh, Lord Ashbourne and many
Unionst members joined the group.
Had Irish High Balls.
The Duke of Abercorn, the most pow
erful landlord in Ireland, asked to be
introduced to John Redmond. and a
mutual friend brought the Duke to
the leader of the Nationalist party,
with whom the leader of the Irish lords
heartily shook hands, and they patch
ed UP the peace of Ireland over the
House of Commons refresment bar
Mr.. Wyndham, who was heartily
cheered when he arose to speak in
the House, announced at the outset
that the government thought cash aid
was necessary for the fulfillment of
the proposed scheme, but it attached
greater Importance to the credit opera
ton than to the cash operation. He
then unfolded the 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 enable
the cash to be raised new stock is to
be f1oated. 1t is to be called guar
anteed az per cent. stock" and will
be unredeemable for thirty years. Mr..
Wyndham doubted if $500 900, 900 of the
stock would be needed. 1t will be is
sued at the rate of s25, 900, 900 yearly
for the first three years, and after
wards possibly in larger sums.
In addition to this the government
proposed a free grant of $50, 900, 900, to
be raised by additions to the stock the