The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1903-04-13
Irish Autonomic Hopes.

Irish Autonomic Hopes.
Tomorrow the Irish Nationalists will
meet in Dublin to discuss the new
land bill introduced by Mr.. Wyndham on
March Is.
Interviews with John Redmond and
other leaders this week suggest that, while
they are complacent over this proposition
to purchase 100000 holdings. from the
landlords, giving them bonus Of 60.00O,-
600 to induce them to sell, the people to
repurchase from the government on long
time at 81 per cent interest, they regard
the measure only as a step toward that
home rule for which, since the act Of
union. such great leaders as O'Connell,
Parnell, Gladstone have earnestly
wrought.
At the meeting tomorrow there will
be much said about this hope Of ultimate
autonomy. Home rule, translated into
the language Of the Redmonds, means an
Ireland equipped with her own parliament
and all local administrative powers. The
Gladstone bill come nearer satisfying the
Irish ambition than any other on the Diff
fcult subject, but the Grand Old Man rode
to his fall on that measure, and went down
and out Of office heroically. The support
ers Of the present land act are justified in
their belief that the British government
has never made so generous an offer to
subjects Of the crown in it's whole his
tory. The two former land acts which
have gone into operation have been sue
cessful enough to enable $4,000 tenants to
buy their holdings, and they have made
their payments with the greatest prompt
ness. The present bill enlarges the facili-
ties for purchase so far that English
farmers are agitating for similar govern
mental assistance so that they can buy
their holdings. Doubtless, if they had
sedulously agitated such question as the
Irish have, they might get what they
want. .>.. 49, -..
AS to further concessions to Ireland al
tho Mr.. Wyndham has stated positive
ly that no concessions, which would bring
home rule nearer of realization, will be
granted, it is reported that there is pur-
pose Of giving Ireland legislative cham
Der to take charge of the royal Irish con-
ty funds and other related matters. The
constabulary, which costs 81, OO0, 10000 g.
year, has found activity heretofore only
in connection with agrarfan troubles, and
il the land purchase scheme works to the
peace of Ireland as much as its supporters
c1o fho etc n,,1o u
abolished and the expense to the govern
ment with it.
Mr.. Bailey, assistant commissioner un-
der former land acts. and designated as
one Of the estates commission under the
new act. If it is passed, says that the land
purchase acts have introduced spirit Of
contentment among the people, and their
attention has been directed to the pro-
motion Of policies which will improve their
material circumstances and general en-
vironment.
, Under such conditions it is to be hoped
that the Nationalist conference in Dublin
this week will not seek to fire the Irish
heart with false hopes Of either the re-
peal of the act Of union, or full local au-
tonomy under it. Private enterprise has,
in view, depending on the passage Of the
land bill, the extension Of Irish transporta-
ton facilities, and there is little doubt that
the cessation Of political agitation will
bring about the restoration Of Irish indus
tries, which. by hostile English legisla-
ton, have been largely extinguished, and
open new avenues Of employment for the
The British government takes no risk
whatever in this new phase Of the land
purchase business It is absolutely Sc
cured by the land, and the money loaned
to tenants for purchase Of their holdings
at3A per cents is borrowed in England at
~ per cent. {, ... :
The land bill will pass to it's second
reading on April %, when the views OF
British statesmen will be fully disclosed as
to the merits Of the measure. After all.
the most liberal act which Great Britain
can pass for the benefit Of Ireland will
simply be some compensation for several
centuries Of injustice and manifold tyr
annies perpetrated upon successive gener-
atoms of Irishmen y i .y.,e%ssss sx.s% -, :