New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-08-04
LAND BILL In LORDS.
Some Opposition Sho1en-D"ke OF
DeuonShre's Speech.

London. Aug. 3-The Duke of Devonshire
moved the second reading Of the irish Land
bill in the House of Lords to-day. He used argu-
ments in favor OF the necessity for passing the
measure similar to those previously made by
George Wyndham. the Chief Secretary tor ire
land in the House OF Commons. The duke de-
clared that the government was confident mat
the expenditure of the S60OOoOOO provided IN
the bill would be fully compensated for by
economies in the judicial machinery and the
reduction in the police expenses which the
adoption OF the measure would render possible
In conclusion the speaker declared that the
House of Lords could not substantially alter
the bill as adopted by the House of Commons
without serious risk of losing it altogether The
bill was in the nature of a treaty or nstru-
ment of peace, and although it would be rash
to predict that it would prove a final settlement
of the Irish question, any serious alteration
would release the contracting parties from the
obligations mutually undertaken. Never be-
fore he said had the representatives OF the
various interests concerned asked Parliament
to sanction settlement whose main principles
they had themselves suggested.
The Duke of Abercorn, Conservative, said the
representatives of the landlords would offer
some amendments which were not Of a conten-
tious nature. While approaching the iberahty
Of the financial provisions of the bill, he de-
cIared that nothing could recompense the land
lords for the losses they would have to sustain
If their sporting rights were lost and their
property Sold there would be no inducement Tor
the country gentleman to remain in Ireland
Lord Crewe, Liberal, followed, and said that
unless the landlords sold on large scale seri-
Gus results would follow. because the unsold
estates would become centres of discomfort anu
disturbances
The Earl Of Dunraven, Conservative, congratu-
lated the government on the bill which. he salo
was broad and statesmanlike He regretted
however, that the bill failed TO carry out the
entire recommendations Of the recent irish land-
lords and tenants conference at Dublin.
Many others spoke few showing disposi-
ton to prolong the discussion of the bill. One
Of it's stoutest opponents was Viscount Hamp-
den (Liberal). who characterized 1t as thorough
ly nlischievous and corrupt. He said 1t would
result in land more fierce and emolt-
tered than any which had preceded.
Lord Londonderry Conservative said that
the measure was for the benefit and welfare or
all classes, and entaed no risk whatever TO the
imperial eXchequer. Earl Spencer CLiberaD also
supported the bill, saying he thought the pos
sibility OF settling the agraran difficulty Justl-
fed even the large expenditure involved
Lord LanSdoWne, Secretary of State Tor FOR
eign Affairs did not share the sinister views
which had been expressed regarding the effect
of the bill on resident landlords On the con-
trary, he believed the measure was so framed
as TO induce them to remain in Ireland, and he
expressed the hope that both the landlords and
tenants would do their utmost to make It sue
cessful
The discussion was concluded soon after mid
night, when the bill was passed TO a second
reading without division.