The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-03-26
Irish Land Bill Introduced in the House of Commons
 by Government
POLITICAL ENEMIES ARE MADE FRIENDS AT LAST
Stirring Scenes In the Lobbies Would Make the Ghost of Parnell Turn Over In Ills Grave-Measure
 Will Undoubtedly Pass.

London, March 25.-The Irish secretary, MT. Wyndham, introduced the govern ments long anticipated Irish land bill in the house of commons this afternoon. It proposes a free grant of S600OO,O GOO for the purpose of the bill. Tenants are to pay s4 per cent interest on loans from the government. MT. Wyndham said he thought the scheme would not involve $500 900. GOO, but that s75O O0O.OOO could safe ly be advanced on Irish lands. The ad- vances to tenants are limited to $25O0 In the congested districts and s5000 else where The bill also provides that un- tenanted farms and non-raisng lands shall be sold to neighboring tenants and that three commissioners, to be known as estate commissioners, shall supervise the sales. The names of the three com missioners are Michael Finucane, secre- tary to government of Bengal revenue, general and statistical department; Fred erick S. Wrench, now of the Irish Land company. and William Bailey, one of the assistant commissioners on the Irish land question. They will be under the control of the lord lieutenant of Ireland.
 The bill will become effective Novem- Der 12.
 Keen Interest Felt.
 The keen interest feif in this new legis- lation. which it is hoped will promote peace and contentment in Ireland, was shown by the crowded house. The peers gallery and the distinguished strangers gallery were filled, and there has been no such gathering of members of parliament since the opening of the session In the diplomatic gallery sat United States Sec retary Henry White, an interested spec tator while almost every Irish peer listened to Mr Wyndham's exposition of the bill.
 From an early hour this morning the stone benches from the house of com mons entrance to the doors of the lobby were packed with impatient Irishmen, among whom were many priests. Most of these went away without seeing even the Inside of the legislative chamber, the galleries of which were crowded as has not been the case for many a day
 Michael Davitt. the father" of the land league, celebrated his fifty-seventh birthday by re-entering the house for the first time since he ceased to be a mem- Der in order to hear the chief secretary for Ireland unfold his plans For the most part the liberal members sat glum, the applause coming from the Irish benches
 A hush of expectation fell on the as- sembly as John Redmond, the Irish lead CT, rose to speak. If he refused to coun- tenance the bill it's death and perhaps even the governments downfall. was decreed. When the galleries of the house found hin sympathetic and non-commit- tai, a feeling of relief pervaded all sides.
 What Sir Henry Campbeil- Zimmerman. the liberal leader, and the others said had little effect. Even T. w. Russell. who with others criticised the details and various omissions In MT. Wyndham's plans. wound up with a gntteral and re- luctant admission that 'it is a great bill"
 Inspiring Scenes.
 The passage of the first reading of the Bill was followed by a rush to the lobby where ensued 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 a crowd of nationalists, who scarcely a year ago would rather have suffered every penalty than associate with the official head of the Irish gov ernment. Beside Lord Dudley stood the grizzled little Sir Anthony MeDonnell the first national assistant Irish secretary. He 1t was who drafted the bill.
 Horace Plunkett, Lord Iveagh, Lord Ashburn and many unionist members joined the group. The Duke of Abercon, the most powerful landlord In Ireland, 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 landlords heartily shook hands, and they patched up the peace of Ireland over the house of commons trefreshment bar''
 Earl Dunraven. who with John Red mond shelters the greatest responsibll- ity for today's procedure slipped out quietly to avoid congratulations. He said to the Associated Press correspondents:
 q believe the bill will meet the re- quirements of all parties. Although I have not had chance to read them and cannot speak def, gely concerning the details of the mef Ire. 1t does certainly seem as though q new era was dawning on a new Ireland. MT. Wyndham to great extent has followed the line of our con ference. I think the landlords and the tenants, with perhaps some slight amendments. will be able to agree to the main principals of the bili''
 The Duke of Abercorn said:
 Matter for Congratulations.
 "Today's proceedings are certainly a matter for congratulations. I hope that the provisions of the bill, when carefully studied, will be carried out. It looks as though the ancient hatchet had been buried"
 John Redmond said he was unable to add anything to his utterances in the house. but he seemed in a hopeful mood.
 Various members of Mr. Redmonds party frankly discussed MT. Wyndham' g plan. The omission of adequate proyi- sions for those tenant already evictcd, doubts whether the landlords would &C., cede to the terms of the measures and objections to the choice of Mir. Wrench as