The Savannah morning news., 1903-03-26

De Dorne by the Treasury, and the
maximum annual charge of which will
| not exceed $3.50, 900. Against this
charge on the British treasury, the
Irish government proposed forthwith
| to commence reductions in the cost of
administration, amounting to $1250,000
per annum forever.
Great Mass of Figures.
Proceeding, Mr.. Wydnham dealt
with the points of the bill, which con-
tains bewildering mass of figures,
showing how advances will be made
and the terms of the repayment, but it
seems in the main to be on the lines
laid down by the land conference re-
| port, and will be satisfactory to the
| landlords and tenants.
In the couse of his speech, which was
punctuated by cheers, Mr.. Wyndham
| said the landlords of Ireland were be-
ing ruined financially, and that the
| tenants were being ruined morally and
the tax payers of England were pay
ing 100000 per annum to the land COM
mission and S7000,0 900 to the Irish po-
| lice, which largely was needed to deal
with illegalities arising from the land
| question.
rs it remarkable under these cir
cumstances?" asked the Irish secre-
tary, IF the landlords and tenants
come together"
Mr.. Wyndham did not think any re-
condite or yelled reasons need be look
ed for. Past experience showed the
state incurred no risk in giving such
aid. From the taxpayers viewpoint
it was stated that aid for land pur
chase was a safe commercial transac-
ton. By the aid of the state $4,000 ten
ants had already bought their holdings,
and the state had not lost a half pen
ny. Public opinion supported repay
ment and this was high, moral secur-
ity, besides which was the security of
the land itself.
Terrible State of Tenants.
Mr. Wyndham also said that the
number of anomalies which had to be
dealt with rendered the work most en-
barrassing, complicated and very diff
cult to present to the House in an
intelligent manner. The state of things
in some parts of Ireland was such as
could scarcely be believed in England.
He instanced one village in which a
landlord was in the workhouse dur
ing the greater part of the year, while
the tenants lived under conditions
worse than those of the Kaffirs of
Africa, What the government proposed
to do to remedy this state of affairs,
while withdrawing no existing rights,
in the future should proceed by the
sale of estates, under three commits
sioners, who will be known as estates
commissioners, under the general con-
troll of the Lord Lieutenant of Ire
land.
Mr.. Wyndham proceeded, saying
that in view of the strong recomen
dation of the recent conference the gov
eminent had provided that the land
lords might make their own arrange
ments with the tenants if they tailed
with the policy of the present bill,
which instead of eXpatiating the land
lords, as stated in some quarters,
would, he hoped, enable them to re-
main in the country. The government
thought the period for the repayment
of loans should be sixty-eight and one
| half years. There were strenuous pro-
visions against sub-dividing mortgages
| on holdings.
In conclusion, Mr.. Wyndham said he
was sure the landlords and tenants
would continue to act in the reason
able spirit which actuated the confer
ence. There were two alternatives be-
fore the country. They could prolong
for another $50 years the present
tragedy in Ireland, or they could now
initiate and henceforth prosecute
business transaction occupying some
| fifteen years, based on the self nS-
TEEN, probity and mutual good will of
| all concerned.
John Redmond's Position.
John Redmond, the Irish leader, fol-
lowed Mr.. Wyndham, saying every
| body would admit that the tone and
temper of the Secretary's speech
showed he realized the gravity of the
situation in Ireland and that he was
anxious to sincerely attempt to Crap
pie with it. Mr.. Redmond deprecated
| hasty judgment of Mr.. Wyndham s
proposals, either for or against them.
| No one could question that the pro-
| posals were an enormous advance upon
| those of last year. or that they really
aimed at a settlement of the question.
| If the Irish concluded that the bill Of
| fered d reasonable hope of settlement
| it would be accepted by them.
Sir Henry mpbell-Bannerman, the
Liberal leader, said he would not pass
summary judgment on the great meas
ure presented with so much power, and
which raised such great issues, but he
| would ask for information on certain
| points which he enumerated.
The bill was formally introduced and
| passed its first reading. The second
reading was set for April p.
The opinions expressed in the lobby
| of the House of Commons were gener-
| ally favorable to the land bill, and
pointed to the probability of its being
accepted in principle by all the parties.
| 1t produced in the House feeling of
intense satisfaction. John Redmond,
| the Duke of Abercorn, and Lord Dun
raven all agreed in saying Mr.. Wynd-
| ham had made a genuine effort to set
| tie Ireland's troubles on the lines of
the Dublin conference. They pointed
out, however, that many details must
be infinitely discussed and perhaps be
altered before the bill is accepted.
Favors the Landlords.
Michael Davitt and T. P. O'Connor
gave the Associated Press signed
statements. Mr.. Davitt wrote:
mo fairer final judgment can be
passed on the governments Irish land
bill until the full text of the measure
can be read carefully and studied.
The impression left in my mind by the
speech of the chief secretary for Ire
land is that the bill he outlined offers
unreasonable compensation 70 the
landlords and therefore does not offer
sufficient nducement TO buy their
holdings on these terms-terms which
appear to me TO be fully ten years
purchase above the market value OF
the Irish landlords property How
ever, II is possible that there may
some provisions I'm the bill, when we
can see Il In print, which Will offer
some minor advantage to the tenants
and country, that may, 20 some eN-
tent. redeem the objectionable terms
provided for the landlords. ] cannot
see my way 90 agree 10 the bill as u
10. but when ] remember that IN 1879
1 served my frst term Of imprisonment
far froroeiua almost exactly what a