The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1904-09-17
If Ireland is Not Permitted to Rule Itself II
will not Allow England to Govern
the Empire.
The Irish Leader With Three of His COL
leagues Here to Solicit Funds for
Coming Election.

England is in the hands of the Irish
Parliamentary party again after flf-
teen years. 1t has been said that Ire
land is governing the British empire
instead Of the empire governing Ire
land. What seems nearer the truth
is that Ireland is preventing the Brit
ish empire from governing itself says
writer in Harper's Weekly.
Attention to the condition of affairs
existing in England is directed partl-
cularly at this time by the visit of
John E. Redmond, leader of the Irish
Parliamentary party, and three of his
colleagues, Conor O'Kelly, member for
North Mayo and secretary of the par
ty; Captain A. ]. G. Donelan, member
for Cork city and senior whip, and
Patrick O'Brien, member for Kilkenny
and Junior whip. They are here, they
say, to appeal to the Irlshmen and
women in this country, their descend
ants, and their sympathizers for finan-
cial aid to meet the general election in
Great Britain, which cannot, accord
ing to all of the signs be delayed much
longer. Money is needed to protect
and hold their constituencies in Ire
land, as well as to preserve and en-
hance the strength Of the Irish vote
in England and Scotland.
In the words of Mr.. Redmond the
Unionist party has been wrecked by
Mr.. Chamberlain us he wrecked the
Liberals. The government cannot
longer withhold an appeal to the peo-
pie. 1t may be only week or two
when call for an election shall be
issued. 1t may be month or two,
but surely, the Irish leader believes, it
will come before the end of the year,
With the return of the present
strength for Ireland, numbering
cighty-tive seats and with vote Of
one hundred and seven on division,
Redmond feels that autonomy in local
affairs is assured; that the banners Of
home rule are already within the
grasp Of the Irish party.
The tactics which are being follow
ed by the Irish party today have
changed little since the Inauguration
of that policy Of obstruction conceived
by Joe Ronayne, of Cork, in Butts
time, and put into successful opera
tion by Parnell and James Biggar.
The rule of closure did not exist then
as it does now, but the Irish party,
despite this, is talking out" bills and
measures of public necessity as effec-
lively as it did in those days.
"If you will not give us our right
to legislate for ourselves then we will
prevent you from making laws for the
conduct and administration Of your
own affairs" That is what the Irish
Parliamentary party is dinning into
the ears of England. That it is sue
cccding is evidenced in the Easements
of the house Of commons, where bills
and measures Of Importance and neces-
sity to the colonies, beaten before they
could reach a hearing or choked upon
their first reading, are piled by the
ton. Those measures are not the ac-
emulation Of session, nor two ses-
sions, but Of all the years which have
gone since the passing Of Parnell and
the rehabilitation of the Irish party
under the leadership Of the great poll
tical strategist's chief lieutenant, John
T.. Redmond.
Victory never seemed nearer for
home rule" said Mr.. Redmond to me
on the night of his arrival, ethan it
does at the present moment. The gov
ernment is struggling in those last
throes which precede dissolution. In
my opinion, it is doomed. Surely 1t
cannot hold out much longer against
an appeal to the people, and while I
don't wish to prophesy, I cannot see
anything ahead of it but defeat.
IT would not be surprised at any
moment to hear that call for an elec-
tion had been issued. Anyway, be-
lieve it is matter Of only few
weeks when we shall be called to the
polls. A month or two at the outside