The Irish standard., 1905-09-16
side seems most to the advantage OF

e.How the British government feels
and dislikes the power of the irish
vote in parliament is testified to ny
q the anxiety to reduce our numbers,
but this, believe, it will not succeed
In doing. We are not anxious to re-
main in the British parliament II we
fare allowed to have parliament and
government of our own, but until
that day comes we shall protest
against any interference with our
numbers.
"The pretext on which the attempt
is made to reduce our numbers is that
the population of Ireland has fallen to
low ebb, but the population basis
never was introduced until our popu-
Mtion had fallen low. At the time OF
the union, on the population basis, we
would have been entitled to consider
ab,y more than 200 members, but we
got 1O3 only.
s "The English always have answered
!. our demand for home rule by declar-
ing that the union was sacred and
could not be touched. When it suits
them. however, they are ready to
break the union The Irish would be
delighted to see the union broken alto
gether and an Irish parliament estab-
lished, but they will not consent to
have the union amended under pres
ent circumstances, in reference to that
mart which deals with the representa-
ton of Ireland.
1.-THE whole attempt to interfere
with our number is great compli-
ment to the power of the Irish indie
pendent party and the Irish political
combination organized by Mr.. Par
nell twenty-five years ago. There is
no doubt we represent the overwhelm-
ing, majority of the Irish people. l
know that in this country some people
think our methods slow, but, after all,
at home in Ireland the people are
pretty shrewd, and they support and
vote for parliamentary representation
because, unprepared as they are IN
other directions, they recognize that
Independent action on 1reland's part
i, in the British parliament is most
effective weapon"
"You say the Irish party has won
many important reforms. Can you
point out the most important Of
them?" Mr.. Redmond was asked.
:. "Well, take the land question
alone" he replied. Broadly, today
we are able to say the conditions per-
tanning to the terrible story of agrar-
ian struggles in Ireland are changed.
The land league established by Mr..
Davitt and so ably generated by Mr..
Parnell demanded that the Irish peo-
pie should be aided by the state to
become the owners of the land they
titled. and that landlordism should be
abolished.
"This demand was furiously OPP
posed. The constitution was suspend
ed in Ireland. Free speech was pro-
hibited, the press interfered with and
leaders imprisoned. The end of it all,
however, has been that the demand
Of the land league has been recognized
to be Just and the land act passed in
1903 recognizes the principle that the
Irish farmers should own the soil they
till To that end the British treasury
is advancing the money necessary to
enable the tenants to buy their homes,
tho money to be repaid in installments
infinitely easier than the perpetual
rents formerly paid.
"rhis means, Of course, practically
a revolution. There still may be some
trouble in certain districts, and there
is no doubt much still is to be accom-
plished; but, broadly speaking, the
legislation wrung from the British
parliament by the Irish party has de-
stroyed landlordism and Is fast maxi
ing the Irish people the owners of the
land they occupy.
"The great trouble ahead is that In
their eagerness to obtain possession
of the land the people may be led into
paying the landlords too high a price.
This might involve them in obliga-
lions which in bad times they might
be unable to fulfill. The Irish leaders
are warning the people not to under
take too heavy obligations and not
4 to make had bargains.
=. "Our party also has achieved i'm.
portant reforms in improving the con-
dition of the laboring class and in the
obtaining of important powers Of local
self-government. National self-gov.
eminent remains to be achieved, and
believe this most browning and neces.
y sary reform will follow in due course
provided the Irish race at home and
abroad steadfastly adheres to the in
dependent lines laid down by our
never-to-be-forgotten leader, Charles
Stuart Parnell.
1.-THE national sentiment of ireland
at the commencement of the twentieth
century is stronger than ever. There
Is a great revival of national senti
ment in every direction. Besides the