The Irish standard., 1905-05-20

Sir Anthony mcdonnell is the man
of the moment, in Ireland. With that
determination, that aggressiveness
which characterized him in India, he
is crushing all opposition to the plans
Of devolution he has put in operation.
Unable to stand against him, Chief
Secretary Of Ireland Wyndham has
been forced to resign his Office, and
Sir Anthony Mcdonnell, the under
secretary, stands out more prominent
ly as the man upon whom the future
of Ireland very largely depends.
Around him wages one Of the fierc-
est conflicts that has ever arisen in
connection with Irish affairs. This
was not unexpected when he returned
from India about two years ago to
undertake task from which others
shrank, and with failure freely pre-
dicted by even his closest friends
But Sir Anthony has never learned
what failure means. During more than
thirty years of service in India he had
solved problems that meant life or
death to millions of people. At one
time he was chief ruler of 47,O00,O00
people, and he was destined for higher
honors in that country. But when the
government determined to introduce
an Irish land measure Sir Anthony
was looked to as the one man to put
it in operation. He had served under
Lord Landsdowne when the latter was
viceroy to India, and Lord Lansdowne
now urged upon Chief Secretary
Wyndham and Lord Dudley, the lord
lieutenant of Ireland, the appointment
of Sir Anthony. When the call came
he responded.
An Irishman and Catholic, Sir An
thony is one of the most remarkable
personalities in Great Britain today,
and the career of no other man is be-
ing watched more closely. He is a
strong, unyielding man, who for over
forty years has been almost constant.
ly engaged in overcoming obstacles,
some of which appeared insurmount'
able. From his school days he has
been a leader. AS boy he was a
little bit apart from his fellows, al
ways prize scholar, the leader of his
class. Throughout life he has held
this position, even in company that
boasted the highest titles and carried
with it the prestige of long years OF
success.
What Sir Anthony undertook to dc
was to effect reconciliation between
the two parties which, it now appears
do not want to become reconciled
With the land bill there was little diff
ficulty. AS prepared by him it was
accepted by landlord and tenant
alike; but when it became apparent
tnat his scheme of devolution might
mean the transfer of the government
of ireland to the Catholic majority
the trouble began. The Protestant
minority scented home rule at once
and the result has been the outcry
which has embarrassed the govern
ment, and may have more serious
effect. Chief Secretary Wyndham ap
proved of the course of Sir Anthony
up to a few months ago. Then diff
ferences arose between them, and the
contest became so bitter that there
was much speculation as to the posi-
tion of other influential persons. Lore
Dudley, viceroy of Ireland, supported
Sir Anthony, and King Edward, who
is said to have practically given Mac
Donnell free hand to do as he
pleased in Ireland, still stands behind
Chief Secretary Wyndham, who sidet
with the Orangemen anxious for his
downfall. was forced to resign hi:
office.
The present storm was not unex
pected by Sir Anthony himself. Soo1
after he accepted the office Of undel
secretary he wrote to friend: IN!
best friends tell me that am delud
ing myself, that I shall be abused b!
.Orangemen as a Roman Catholic ant
denounced by home rulers as a rene
gade, that shall do no good, and tina