The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1903-01-28
AN IRISH SETTLEMENT?

at last to be satisfactorily and finally
settled. Yet for such optimistic pros
pect we have the authority of MIR
John Redmond, probably the most au-
thoritative and certainly the most ag.
gressive and indominatable OF the Irish
leaders, He declares that he expects
soon to see a measure enacted which
will heal the wounds Of centuries, give
the Irish neople chance Of living in
peace and prosperity on their own soil
and in brife settle the Irish question
simultaneously with this Irish utter
ance there appears, as our London cor
respondent reports. a notable article
very much to the same effect in that
ultra conservative organ, The Quart
eriy Review" says the New York
Tribune. Evidently there is, in current
phrase, something doing" For innu-
merable reasons the world will hope it
will be successful and completely and
lastingly done.
Curiosity however, keeps pace with
qualification. What are the expected
terms of the settlement neither Mr.
Redmond nor the Quarterly Review
discloses There is, however, a hint
of it in Mr.. Redmond's speech, towit,
that the basis Of settlement is to be
found in the voluntary purchase
scheme formulated by Lord Dunravens 5
commission. of which Mr.. Redmond
himself is member. The British
government is to enable the Irish ten
ant peasantry to become landed pro-
prietors. That will. of course, settle the
land question. 1t will not, says Mr..
Redmond. end the home rule question,
but it win remove the last obstacle to
settlement of it. If that means any
thing. taken in. connection with the
rest of Mr.. Redmond's thoughtful and
temperate speech, it means that the
Irish people are to be content with
getting rid of landlordism and securing
complete local autonomy, and are to
relinquish their dreams of separation
from the empire and Of setting upon in
dependent nationality. The latter may
seem startling to those who remember
how strenuously Mr.. Parnell insisted
upon complete secession, declaring that |
land reform, home rule and all else
were noting but stepping stones to the
real goal. which must never be lost !
sight of nor abandoned-namely, the
severing OF the last link that bound |
Ireland to the British empire and to
the British crown.
I!eyond doubt 1t was that bold dec
laratian of secession which intensified |
British opposition to Irish demands.
even at times TO demands for reas-
enable reforms. Englishmen realized
that 1t would be suicidal to permit the
establishment OF an independent nation
at the other side of ST. Georges chan
mel, which might ally itself with con-
tinental foes and thus compel England
TO guard her shores at the west as
well as at the south and east, and
they naturally set their faces as flint
against everything which was intended
-as Mr.. Parnell ieclared--to make to-
ward that end. With that end aban-
doned, and with Ireland willing to re-
main loyal member of the empire,
will doubtless be ready to
grant every just reform. an dto make,
so far as they can make it, the con-
dition Of Ireland as prosperous, as in
dependent and as happy as that Of any
other part of the United Kingdom.
The question is, Will Ireland be con-
tent 10 foreswear secession? That is.
we think, to be answered in the affirm
atiye Just as soon as the land ques-
ton is settled on the basis OF peasant
proprietorship. There is nothing more
conservative in its influence than own
ership 1f land, and therefore of stake
In the welfare and stability Of the
country The Irish peasant who is
tenant and is oppressed by an absen-
Tee landlord may not unnaturally be a
secessionist and revolutionist The
Irish perant who is land owner will
realize that the imperial government
means security. stability and economy, {
and viii therefore become loyal sup
porter of the empire. If such a set
ilment be indeed al hand we must pre-
pare for both England and ireland our
ihoicest and heartiest congratulations. ,