New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-11-22
DTSCORD IN IRELAND.

A pithy essay upon the Vanity of Political
ExpectatiOns might he written with the pres
ent situation in Ireland for a text. That
troubled country has not lately doomed large
in news, but that is chiefly because other more
novel topics have been TO the fore. 1t does not
by any means indicate that the Irish problem
has been settled, or that it is even in quies
cent state The fact is that agitation and con-
troversy have for months been particularly
active and acrimonious, with a prospect Of
presently eliminating in a storm. Nothing but
a fitting opportunity seems to be wanted for
renewal of the strenuous struggles of score
Of years ago. This is a strange and unwelcome
turn OF affairs, after the Dunraven-Redmond
agreement Of year ago. which, we were con-
fdently assured by Irish Nationalsts and Brit
ish UniOnists alike, had opened a new era OF
peace and good will and had practically dis
posed of the age-long controversy between the
two parts of the United Kingdom. That agree
ment appears to have fallen between two stools
II pleases neither Ireland nor England, and
now even those who agreed in making it are at
odds, while Ireland itself is rent by factions
more than for many year.
There is probably no more penetrating and
Illuminating view of the situation than that of
Mr.. Timothy Healy whom Gladstone esteemed
as the best informed Irish politician of his
time, and who is conceded to be honest and in
teligent even by those who most widely differ
from him. Mr.. Healy does not expect the pres
ent British government 10 attempt much more
for Ireland, for the reason that it has had no
encouragement from the Irish. Our people
are being taught" he says by the Dillon-Sex-
ton articulation that whatever the Tories at
tempt must necessarily be no good That he
thinks, is a great mistake. The Irish ought to
give the government credit for the good it does,
and thus encourage it to do more. AS for Mr..
Redmond, the titular leader. he, says Mr.. Healy,
docs not count. He has nc individual force
or personal initiative" a large section % Irish
opinion would, Mr. Healy continues denounce
and contemn legislation offered by the Con
sentative government, but would hail as the
choicest craftsmanship precisely the same leg
isation if 1t were put forward By a Liberal
government With thai sort Of folly hs has no
patience. and he regards its prevalence as one
Of the most discOurag inZ featur OF the whole
situation.
Nor is Mr.. Healy merely a destructive critic.
He does not hesitate TO suggest construction as
we'll Il know he says, nc royal road to
Irish liberty, nor do ! believe anybody else
docs. Our true duty consists in a humdrum.
'ploddng and relentless onset against the ex-
listing system, taking what benefits may be in
1.-The way when we can, rejecting no offer Of
'friendliness, receiving no measures with a
''scowl because they come from one party rather
than from another, and trying to extract from
every situation better legislative action and
executive advantages for our people" There
can be no question Of the sanity and practical
ity Of such counsel. But when Mr.. Healy ut
tiers II he is little more than a voice crying in
a wilderness. Neither Mr.. Redmond nor Mr.
OBren. neither the ''Dulon-Sexto2 articula-
ton" nor Mr.. Davitt, will adopt such a policy.
nor Will they all together agree upon any one
definite policy Each faction leader seems TO be
fighting for his own hand, and in the face Of
such a situation it is scarcely illogical or even
unkind for the English government to say that
If Ireland cannot come to an agreement rs 10
what she wants. England surely cannot be eX-
pected to determine it fer her, but can do for
her only what seems best to English eyes.