The Minneapolis journal., 1903-03-26
OLD HAICHET IS BURIED.
Significant Scenes Follow the Pass.
age Of the First Reading Of
the Irish Land Bill.

London, March 26.--The passage of the
first reading of the Irish land bill was fol-
lowed by rush to the lobby, where en-
sued scenes that might well make the
ghost of Parnell turn in his grave. The
tall form Of Lord Dudley, lord lieutenant
of Ireland, could be seen amidst crowd
OF nationalists who scarcely year ago
would rather have suffered every penalty
than associate with the official head OF
the Irish government. Beside Lord Dud-
ley stood the grizzled little Sir Anthony
Mcdonnell the first national assistant
Irish secretary. He it was who drafted
the bill. Horace Plunkett, Lord Iveagh,
Lord Ashbourne and many unionist mem
bers Joined the group. The duke of Aber-,
corn, the most powerful landlord in Ire
land. asked to be introduced to John Red
mond, and mutual friend brought the
duke to the leader of the nationalist party,
with whom the leader Of the Irish land
lords heartily shook hands, and they
patched up the peace of Ireland over the
house of commons refreshment bar.
Earl Dunraven, who, with John Red
mond, shoulders the greatest RESPONSE
bility for the days procedure. slipped out
quietly to avoid cOngra tulatiOnS. He said
to the Associated Press correspondent:
Il believe the bill will meet the require
ments of all parties. Though l have not
had a chance to read them. and cannot
speak definitely concerning the details of
the measure, it does certainly seem as
though a new era was dawning on a new
Ireland Mr.. Wyndham to a great ex-
tent has followed the lines of our con-
ference. I think the landlords and ten
ants, with perhaps some slight amend
ments, will be able to agree to the main
principles of the bill.'' ....
The duke of Abercorn said: The pro-
ceedings are certainly matter for con-
graduation. I hope that the provisions
OF the bill, when carefully studied. will
be carried out 1t looks as though the
ancient hatchet had been buried
John Redmond said he yas unable to
add anything to his utterances in the
house, but he seemed in a hopeful mood.
Various members of his party, however,
frankly discussed Mr.. Wyndham's plan.
The omission of adequate provision for
those tenants already evicted doubts
whether the landlords would accede to
the terms of the measure, and objections
to the choice Of Mr.. Wrench as one of
the three estate commissioners seem to
be the chief difficulties, but all the ma
tionalist members appeared to be agreed
that the bill went farther toward putting
Ireland on a prosperous basis than any
before introduced, especially as the sys-
| tenn is to be administered on CONNER
cial rather than on a judicial basis Hith-
| erto all the land acts have come under
the Interpretation Of the judges, whose
decisions could not be questioned. The
only skeleton at this political love feast
was Michael Davitt who, from the pub
lie gallery, aloof from his former com
| rades, listened to proposals which op-
| posed all his economic ideals.
Several conservative members eX-
pressed their anxiety at the government s
going more deeply into debt, but the gen
eral opinion was that the end justified
the means. Sir John Lawrence said:
MANY among you think that the gov
eminent has a hard enough financial job
! on it's hands already. but in the face of
| the demand from both Irish parties we
can scarcely help trying to settle a prob
| lem which has been such a serious thorn
| for so long time. I think you will find
| the government will have a solid ma
| jOrity when the bill is vOted''