The Irish standard., 1905-03-25

verbally go along With 1t, MacDOnnell
sought frank understanding with his
superiors. He proclaimed himself a
home ruler, in that sense a nationalist,
a Catholic and an advocate of Ireland,
it's land and it's government for the
Irish. On this basis he took Office.
Shortly afterwards your correspond
ent was in London and Dublin investi-
eating the Irish question. 1t can do no
harm to anyone now to state that dur
ing long conversations with Mr.. Wynd-
ham and Sir Anthony MacDonnell he
was informed that it was the purpose
of the ministry to press the land law,
and after the land law was achieved
to press for some form Of home rule
for the Irish people. There was doubt
at that time as to just what form home
rule would ultimately take. Various
projects were under discussion. But
that in one way or another a larger
measure Of self government was to be
given the country as settled policy
of the Balfour ministry was the all
important fact, the form Of it being a
mere detail to be settled later. 1t was
in this way your correspondent gained
the information upon which he based
the confident predictions that brighter
era was dawning for the Irish people
-thot 1opd rofor,,, x,yoc In In fo11o,-,o<7
by political reform as soon as it could
be brought about, and that the evils
of castle government and the whole
odious system, which even decent Eng
lish officials were disgusted with, were
to be swept away one by one till in all
their home affairs the Irish people
were their own masters.
These forecasts of the policies of the
Balfour government were cabled back
to England and reused keen interest
among public men and the news.
papers. Members of the government
were questioned as to their accuracy,
and the usual diplomatic denials fol-
lowed. But the land law was passed.
1t is now in operation, and is grad.
ually, though too slowly, turning the
land of Ireland back to it's rightful
owners, the men and women who live
upon it and till it.
Having put the land law on it's feet,
after herculean labors, Messrs. Wynd.
ham and MacDonnell turned their at.
tention to the next number of their
program. At the instance, doubtless,
of Under Secretary MacDonnell the
Irish Reform Association, composed OF
landlords and former landlords, but
nevertheless with a patriotic desire to
better the condition Of the country,
suggested a scheme Of 'devolution of
legislative and administrative au-
thority" to officials and bodies
more directly representing the Irish
people. In brief, the proposal was
to create an Irish council Of twelve
members elected by the county
and borough council constituencies
and twelve nominated by the govern
ment to pass upon all matters of ex-
penditure for Ireland, their decision
to be final unless reversed by the
house of commons by a majority of not
less than one-fourth of the votes.
This body was to prepare the Irish
estimates annually and submit them to
parliament.
In addition larger body was sug:
gested, composed of this council, the
Irish representative peers and the
Irish members of the house Of com.
mons, to promote legislature purely
Irish and to act upon private bills.
Sir Anthony MacDonnell supported
this plan, which was an entering
wedge for greater measure of home
rule even if it was not all that could
be desired by the Irish people. 1t was
at least start. Probably MacDon-
nell never had a thought he was doing
anything else than carrying out the
wishes Of the government, because he
had every reason in the world to be-
lieve there was thorough understand
ing between his superiors and him
self. But when the affair became pub