Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-04-16
IRISH LEAGUE MEETS
To Discuss the New Land
Bill.
NOTABLE GATHERING
LANDLORDS ALSO HOLDING A
MEETING.
Probability That the League Conven-
ton Will Be Postponed Until
Saturday.
NOTABLE GATHERING

DUBLIN, April 16-The national conven-
ton convened by the United Irish League
met today in the historic round room or
the Mansion house. About 1000 delegates
assembled in the crowded rotunda, which
was incapable of holding all who had come
from every part of Ireland to discuss the
Irish land bill. On the platform sat almost
every nationalist member of parliament
with a scattering of prelates.
In the body of the rotunda was gather
ing seldom equaled in representative ca
pacity Farmers from Clare in top boots,
laborers from Dublin county, landlords from
Cork and priests from all parts, the lat
ters somber clothing and tall hats con-
trasting pleasantly with the bright home
spun apparel of the majority. 1t was es-
sentially convention of the SOIL though
a lighter touch was given by the pres
ence of the well-dressed women who filled
the galleries.
Lord Mayor Harrington and Michael
Davitt inducted John Redmond into the
chair, and the delegates rose to their feet,
cheered and waved their hats.
Cable messages were read from various
Irish organiza tions in New York, Baltimore
and other cities wishing the convention sue
cess.
The notable absentees were John Dillon
and Edward Blake, who are both Ill.
John Redmond opened the proceedings
with an impressive speech.
This convention he declared, rs the
most solemn, the most momentouS event In
the history of living Irishmen. with the ex-
ception of the Introduction of the home
rule bill. There are in the lives of nations,
as there in the lives of individuals, op-
portunities which once lost can never be
regained. Such an occasion l believe the
present to be-"
Mr.. Redmond begged his hearers to re-
member their tremendous responsibility. If
they rejected the bill 1t was dead forever,
and the greatest prospect of freedom since
the Infamous act of union was passed
would disappear. Continuing, he said:
Object of Wyndham Bill.
Whatever defects Mr.. Wyndham's bill
has, and am inclined to minimize them,
it's object is the complete and final aboli.
ton of landlordism in all its essentials. Ire
land is united as she never was before.
Each man must well weigh his words and
remember that the whole future of his
country and the welfare Of his children
and that of unborn generations may depend
upon the conventions decision. l hope no
man will advocate renewing the struggle
of the land war without knowing what that
renewal means-the indefinite delay of in
dustrial and economic welfare and even Of
political freedom No man must dare to do
that unless he is willing to take his share in
the terrible fight which would be involved
by refusal of the BILL
Mr.. Redmond deprecated carping criti-
cism and advocated friendly discussion of
the suggested amendments. He hoped the
convention would pass Mr.. OBrien's mo-
ton welcoming the bill and amending 1t in
various particulars and intrusting the
amendments to the decision of the Irish
parliamentary party. And" concluded Mr..
Redmond, ''let us give the world, which is
watching us, by orderliness, wisdom
and restraint, proof of our capacity for SELL
government
Landlords Also in Session.
Early in the morning Lord Dunraven,
who is simultaneously presiding at a pri-
vate meeting Of the landlords committee
sent word to John Redmond, the Irish
leader, suggesting that the land confer
ence reconvene Saturday after the opinion
of the national convention on the Irish
land bill is known, SO that both landlords
and tenants may then discuss their mutual
objections. Mr.. Redmond will be unable
to decide on the proposition until after to-
days proceedings, for which lengthy
agenda have been provided.
These consisted of many proposed amend
ments to the details of Secretary Wynd
hams proposals. The chief movers were
William OBrien and Michael Davitt. The
former. while congratulating Ireland on the
fact that the British ministry had intro
duced bill accepting in principle, after
centuries of struggle, that the land should
be restored to the people of Ireland, urged
the delegates to press amendments enlarg-
ing the financial scope of the bill. Mr.
" Brlen, however, asked the convention to
intruSt to the parliamentary party the
power and responsibility of eventually deal
ing In committee stage with the amend
ments.
O'Brien Attacked the Landlords.
While begging the delegates to let their
parliamentary representatives settle the
matter. Mr.. O'Brien attacked the landlords,
Irish judges and British rule with the
same virulence as has always marked his
speeches, to the intense delight of the au-
dience. which, swayed by his eloquence
hissed and cheered alternately. He con-
cluded with saying that If properly amend
ed Mr.. Wyndham's bill would make the
peasants as safe the king on his throne
in the possession of their land" They
would never again have to stand trembling
In the rent office. Mr. O'Brien added:
IF we go on II is not too much to say
that In the next generation 1t will be as
hard to find man who has witnessed an
has not witnessed an eviction"
Pleading for friendly spirit in the dis
cussion Mr.. O'Brien remarked: "If all goes
well 1t will be the greatest resurrection
of hope. JOY and happiness that has ever
visited this country in a thousand years 1t
Is the biggest thing English statesmanship
has ever done toward restoring the soil
of Ireland to Irishmen."
Mr.. OBrien concluded with saving that
while Mr.. Redmond himself did not want
to entangle the land question with home
rule. they might well try to turn hon.
est Irish blood into red ink as to allay
his own and Irelands desire for eventual
home rule" One of the results might
perhaps eventually be to Kill the English
opposition to a parliament on college green
where all lrishmen without distinction ~
creed and politics might meet and legislate