New-York tribune., 1903-03-26
THE IRISH LAND BILL.
OLD FOES UNITE ON IT.
A Crozcded House Listens Breath
less to Nr. Wyndham's g Statement.

Cspecial to The New York Tribune by French Cabls)
copyright: 1903. BY Tie Tribune Ass"ciationD
London. March 26 1 a. m--The Irish deOatS
in the House Of Commons Yesterday lacked the
glamour Of per5cnaI fascination which the
Grand Old Man" impaired to the Home Rule
struggle. There was pOmatum pot on the
ia BILE for Iubricating the most melodious voice
ever heard in Westminster, with the possibls
exception Of John Bright's, and there was no
stately eoquence to command admiration, II u
did not carry conviction OF the expedency OF
the LEGISLATION. A crowded house witnessed.
however. a most remarka BILE debating perform
ance which established George Wyndhan'B
reputation as a statesman of the first rank. HIS
speech on the Land bill the most important
Irish event since the defeat Of Mr. Gladstones
Home Rule bill. and it was followed with breath
less interest by a silent house, too eager TO COM
prehend the details of the proposed settlement
to ernbarrass him with applause Its best char
acteristics were its luminous exposition Of a
complex subject. and It's dignity Of style The
great-graadson of Lord Edward Fitzgerald the
rebel who forfeited his life for the Irish cause.
turned toward the Tory rather than the Ma
tIonaIIst benches in making his cOgent plea for
a businesslike settlement Of the land question
The Irish members were with him, as was subse-
quentIy shown when Mr.. Redmond spoke. but
the attitude OF the Tories themselves was In
doubt from the moment that he proposed a free
grant Of f12OOOOOO from the Treasury to COM
plete the settlement To them he addressed an
ingenious and plausible argument. striving 10
convince them that the maximum annual charge
on England would not exceed f29OOcD. and that
the expenses Of the administration OF the land
courts ard police would be reduced E230OOO by
the operation. The scheme OF purchase he ex-
planned a safe commercial transaction ana
with subtIety and refinement Of logic worthy or
Mr. Gladstone himself he tried to reassure tim
orous directors by supplying evidence that
long period would be requisite for the transfer
of the ownership OF irish estates. and that the
British taxpayers would not be seriously bur
dened. These pIeadings were urgently needed.
as the government supporters were evidently
frightened by the revolt OF the country against
the incesgant increase OF national expenditures
One Of MI wyndham's most effective antitheses
described the financial ruin OF the landlords and
the moral ruin OF the tenants. while the tax
payers were supplying f240,OOO for the expenses
of the Land Commission and police; and the
simple but really eloquent peroration. which
was free from rhetorical color. was followed by
spontaneous and hearty applause from all sec
tions of the Commons
Comments on the speech heard among mem
hers Of the House during the evening were
| favorable The bonus from the Treasury was
| larger than had been generally expected but the
| method Of financing the purchase of the estates
| WAS approved as sound, economic and business
| Ike. The subject was TOO intricate 10 De mas
| tered at a single sitting. but there vas gen
| eral feeling that when there could be leisure Tor
| critical examination the government will be
| strangthened by this land policy. This vas con
| Armed by the cautious speeches or MI Red-
| rnond Sir Henry Campbell Bannerrran MI
| Russell and Colonel Sadnderson. 1t seemed 1T
| tie less than a miracle OF political grace tnat
| Mr.. Redmond and Colonel Saunderson, oIdtime
| ANTAGONISTS, should agree IN an expression OF
| cua1i7ed but sincere approval Of the measure,
| Mr. wyndhann's admirers Contended last night
| that by the Iucidity of his exposition Of the
| financial arrangements he had shown ruIl equip
noent for the post Of Chancellor Of the Ex-
| cheQuer IN some future Cabinet.
| The nresent unsatisfa actOry condition Of British
credit is without parallel since the days Of the
| Franco-Gernan War. There was a fuTrher
b-a.u in the price Of consoIs yesterday morning,
bu+ a frmer tone was noticeable during the
| afternoon. although not much inclination tc pick
nm stock at the lower level in view OF the keen
| demand for money. The settlement begins on
| Monday. when there will probably be consider
| ab1a differences to be met, Consols last nads
! nm at 921k At the opening yesterday further
selling forced the price down to S97s, but cover
| ,rz nv the bears strengthened the market and
| +be anal quotation, 90 5-16, showed practically
| unchanged for the day. A substantial recovery
.. not however. expected until after the Notation
| Of the Transyaal loan.
! Tho brilliant career OF Sir Hector Macdonald
| has come to a sad ending. Few stories OF
rr,,, life have appealed so vividly to the inagt-
! nation Of the British people as the career OF