The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1903-01-03
THE PROSPECTS FOR IRELAND.

The year which has just opened
promises to be a happy one for the
Irish people. After suffering untold
misery for ages from alien and native
landlords, the time is close at hand
when the tenants will own the land
they cultivate. 1t is positively certain
that ut the next meeting OF parliament
a bill will be introduced by Secretary
Wyndham to settle the land question
which has been Il source of disturb
ance in Ireland for generations. The
time for doing SO is propitious. The
landlords themselves are growing
tired of the monopoly they have ell
joyed from the British government
and are willing to have a change. The
tenants are united in n solid phalanX
and despite every effort of Dublin
Castle to break up the United Irish
League it remains intact. Many of
it's leaders have been imprisoned, but
the agitation goes on the same as be
fore.
Under these circumstances the most
Of the landlords, led by the Earl of
Mayo and Lord Dunraven, are in fa.
yor Of coming to terms with the repre-.
sentatives Of the tenants; but the ab,
sentee landlords, chief among whom
are the Dukes Of Abercorn and West
minister, Lords Clonbrock and Barry
more, are determined not to yield
The majority of the landlords realize
that the tenants have rights they are
bound to respect, but the proud alien
majority think they can forever claim
their pound of flesh, regardless of
the aspirations of the cultivatorS
of the soil for the sole ownership
thereof. The majority Of thu. land,
lords admit that the tenants have
grievances, but the minority insist
that their rights are paramount and
that the tenants must never become
proprietors Of their farms.
1t is generally believed that King
Edward and his ministry are resolved
to settle the land question during the
next session Of parliament. \ bill will
be- passed to enable the tenants to buy
the land on easy terms. 1t will take
$7:h,,OOO,0OO to buy out the landlords.
and in the course. Of Il term of years
the tenants will pay it back to the
government. 1t is the only practical
possession OF the land which belonged
to their forcfatherS before it was con
tiScatcd.
One OF the most ardent champions
Of tho land for the people" is Mr.. Il.
W. Russell, NJ. T.. He is Il Tory, and
represents the Presbytcrians Of the
North in parliament. For two years
he has advocated the compulsory sale
Of the land to the occupants. In Il
recent interview he said:
This is Englands last opportunity
to undo the cruel wrongs of centuries.
and anything but complete st'ttl"
mcnt embotlying the abolishmeni nt
landlordism and the establishing of
an occupying ownership will positively
fail. The time for argument has pass
ed, for all now realize that the present
land system in Ireland is doomed.
Failure now to pass Il bill Oh tho lines
l have indicated would only widen the
breach that can as easily be closed
orcver. Personally, have always up
held the legislative union of Great
Britain and Ireland, but am free to
confess that every day brings me near
or the conviction that Home Rule is
inevitable"
When the land of the country be-
longs to the people at large, the next
thing to get is self-government
When the landlords are once out OF
the way, the opposition to Home Rnl,
will cease on their part. The land
lords sit in the upper house and when
they have no interest at stake, us in
the past, they will not reject any
Home Rule bill passed in the lowcl
house as they did in the days of Glad
stone. The Irish people will ncvc,
cease in their efforts to obtain thi
right of making laws for themselves
in their own capitol, and once land
lordiSm is ovcrthrown il will he onl.,
n question: of time when the deman,
for self government will he granted.