The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1903-04-17
.R|SAhEN N DEBATE
Land Bill Discussed by Con-
vention of Irish League.
TWO THOUSAND PRESENT
Cheers and Kisses Express the
Minds of Delegates.


was incapable of holding all who had
come from every part of Ireland TO DIS
cuss the Irish land bill. On the platform
sat almost every nationalist member OF
parliament, with scattering OF pref
ates. In the body of the rotunda was
gathering seldom equalled in represent
alive capacity. Farmers from Clare, in
top boots; laborers from Dublin county
landlords from Cork, and priests from all
parts. the Iatter's somber clothing and
tall hats contrasting pleasantly with the
bright homespun apparel of the majority.
Ii was essentially convention OF the
soil although a lighter touch was given
by the presence of the well dressed wo-
men who filled the galleries. Early IN
| the morning Lord Dunraven, viii is ST.
multaneousiy presiding at a private meet
| ing of the landlords committee, sent
word to John Redmond, the Irish leader
suggesting that the land conference re-
convene Saturday after the opinion OF the
| national convention on the land Dill Is
known so that both landlords and ten
ants may then discuss their mutual oo-
| jections. Mr. Redmond will be unable TO
| decide on the proposition until after TO-
DAYS proceedings, for which lengthy ad-
] denda have been provided, consisting of
MANY proposed amendments to the details
! of Secretary Wyndham's proposals, the
| chief movers being Mr.. O'Brien and Mi
| chaei Davitt The former, while congrat-
| ulating Ireland On the fact that the Brit
| fish ministry had introduced bill &C
| cepting in principle. after centuries OF
struggle, that the land should be restored
| to the people of Ireland, will urge the
| delegates to press amendments charging
| the financial scope of the bill. Mr.. o Brien
| will ask the convention, however, to en-
| trust to parliamentary power the respon-
sibility of eventually dealing in COM
| mittee stage with the amendments.
1t was learned by the correspondent of
| the Associated Press that Lord Dunraven
| is of the opinion that some of the amend
ments in the nationalist program can
| never be accepted by the government but
| that some of the others might be ac-
copied.
When Patrick White. NJ. P, rose and
| moved the rejection of the land bill as
not meriting the support of the Irish par
l ", the uSleSdIeS nlSSco oiAt NA4o >
cries of Withdraw came from all
sides.
Mr.. Redmond finally sercured a hearing
for Mr. White, who said the bill was one
of the most faulty measures ever intro
duced and was entirely in favor of the
landlords.
Another speaker declared Mr.. Wynd-
hams bill would be "a milestone of debt
around the tenants neck But this
brought forth bowls of derision from the
delegates. whom Mr.. Redmond could
scarcely keep in order.
The good teper of the assemblage was
restored by a landlord, Pierce O'Mahoney
a former Parnellite member of parliament
vigorously supporting the bill while E
speech in Gaelic from Canon McFadder
added further to the good humor- Th'
announcement that Mr.. Whites motor
had been rejected by an Overwhelming
majority created tremendous enthusiasm
materials pfhrdlunpunvfwypn
ONLY a few hands were held up in favo1
of Mr.. Whites motion. while hundreds
were waved when ITO the contrary wa
called. and hats were thrown up and th'
convention enthusia stically committed ii
self to the land bill. subject to sucf
amendments as the Irish paIlIamentar!
party can secure
Michael Davitt then received grea
ovation. He demanded the release o
I Colonel Arthur Lynch. who is undergoing
a sentence of life imprisonment aftei
having been convicted of high treason. II
order than one other Irish agitator. VIII
is stiu in Jail. and whose continued I'm
! prisonment said Mr.. Davitt. was unDe
coming to the spirit OF peace betweel
ireland and England. Mr. Davitt tx
pressed many differences Of opinion wit
: | Mr. OBrien Mr.. Redmond and the ma
iority of the delegates. but he promise
IN abide by the decision Of the conven
ton. voiced his undying hatred of Iris
landlords, and said he doubted if MI
| O'Rrien was right in believing that the
would settle down and aid in the devel
> onrnent of the country after the passag
: of the bin. Mr. Davitt also made a stron
g | plea in favor of the Irish agriculture
llaborer. which he will elaborate tomor
row when the suggested amendments az
taken ND in detail He maintained tina
the bill. gwen as amended. would not pu
T an end 10 the land struggle and move
$ in friendly terms an amendment 10 Nj
}, O'Briens motion. providing that the na
n tionalist members Of parliament refe
!. The bin back TO the convention for fns
I approval after passing the commtte
: stage in the house OF commons. 50 tina
e the people themselves may say II the
accent IL as amended. and that the cor
I vention be merely adjourned instead Q
dissolved.
I Mr.. Redmond. in reply. paid trihui
to Nj Davitt's fairness and the oenef
derived from his presence and supper
but he said he believed MS amendmeT
would be construed as vote Of want
confidence in the Irish pariiaTnsntar
l. party.
Mr. o'Brien followed with an iupa'
stoned appeal OF the same line he a.
clared Mr. Davitt's amendment menace
: the Irish party.
Mr.. Davitt then. amid tremendous che'
= ing withdrew his amendment. OF who;
!. merits the convention seemed fairly o
vided. and the threatened split vas aver
n, ed
p O-Connor. summing Up the =
= suits Of the day's debate. said they shoe
- Cd that they all practically agree that =
!, bin IS TIE greatest measure ersr in5r'
- duces: tha. lsndlordiSm is condemned
l. die: that the financial terms have D.
"a improved. and that not ore sTtcfsd isfla'
a. Is left without redress Today. ne Hdflf
- they were Celebrating ore CT the nros'
az est victories over oppression that ever
r; nation Rad won The bell. th-onEno'
I - ~