The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1904-01-07
AsToRlAN pUsLlsAINc CO.
ENGLAND AND THE IRISH,

One OF the most Interesting VI Nav
letters by Mr.. Bryan during his Euro
peau tour deals with the present conr
aition Of the people of Ireland. Mr..
BRYAN made an especial study of this
matter while in Dublin, and his ooser-
vations appeared in the New York
Journal short time ago.
According to MIR. Bryan the British
government Is now providing well for
the Irish tenants, who, under the new
land laws, will be able to secure title
to their farms, and that too. upon
easy terms. The following extract
from Mr. Bryan's letter viii be found
Of especial interest;
1T is true that home rule has not
been secured, but the contest for home
rule has focused attention upon the
Industrial and political condition OF
Erin, and number Of remedial meas
ures have been adopted. First, the
tenant was given title to his improve
ments and then the amount of the rent
was judiciously determined. More re-
Gently the authorities have been build
ing cottages for the rural laborers.
Over $4,000 Of these cottages have been
already erected and arrangements are
being made for some 10000 more.
These are much more comfortable than
the former dwellings, and much safer
from a sanitary point of view.
The recent land purchase act, which
went into effect November /, seems like
y to exert very great influence upon
the condition Of the people. Accord
ing TO Its terms the government is to
buy the land of the landlord and sell
il to the tenants. As the government
can borrow money at a lower rate
than the ordinary borrower, ii is able
to give the tenant much better terms
than he gets from his present landlord
and at the same time purchase the
land Of the landlord nj a price that is
equitable. The landlords are showing
a disposition to comply with the spirit
of the laTv, although some of them are
attempting to get a larger price for
their land than it was worth prior to
the passage Of the law. The purpose
Of the law is to remove from politics
the landlord question, which has been
delicate one to deal with Most of
the larger estates were given to ances-
rOrs Of the present holders and many
Of the present holders and many Of the
owners live In England and collect
their rents through local agency.
The new law makes the government
the landlord and the tenant, by pay
ing certain annual sum for 63 years
becomes the owner Of the fee. He has
the privilege Of paying all or any part
at any time, and can dispose Of his
interest. The settlement which is now
being effected not only removes the
friction which has existed between the
tenant and the londlord, but puts the
tenant in a position where he can APP
peal to the government with reason
able certainty Of redress in case unfor-
seen circumstances make his lot harder
than at present anticipated. The as
surance that he will become the owner
Of the fee will give to the Irish farmer
an ambition that has heretofore beenl
wanting, for he wifi be able to save
without fear of an increase In the rent
Not only Is the land question in pro-
cess of settlement, bat there have beenl
at the same time other improvements
iybnf make for the permanent pro-
gress of the race. There is con-
5tant increase In the educational facil- |
tiles and a large number of cooper !
alive banks have been established.
Agricultural societies have been formed
for the improvement Of crops and
stock, and the trend is distinctly up
ward. The Irish leaders have not OBJ
rained all that they labored for-there
is much to be secured before their
work IS complete, but when the history
Of Ireland is written, the leaders now
living will be able TO, regard with
iustifiable pride the results of their
devotion and sacrifice, and their names
will be added to the long list of Irish
patriots and statesmen"