Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-02-04
CONTESTS IN BELFAST
RESULTS MOST INTERESTING TO
THE IRISH PEOPLE.
Special cablesram to Tbs Star.

Special Cablegram TO The Star.
DUBLIN, Februarya3.-For the Irish peo-
Die themselves the results of the recent
election contests in Belfast were perhaps
the most interesting, If not the most IN
structive Belfast has for many years been
constantly held up for admiration to ma
tionalist Dublin a practical city, toll
Grant city, a city of civil, religious ana po-
litical freedom. Hence the shock caused
by the nationalist victories comes with all
the greater force, and it is doubtful who
are the most suIprised-the people Of Bel
fast or the people of Dublin. The inroaos
made by the nationalists, the nome rulers,
the laborites-call them what you Wilton
the north of Ireland unionists are enough
to take ones breath away. And the people
of Belfast are yet scarcely awake as
to the full meaning of the blow which they
have sustained.
Those who know the real Belfast, know
that it is not the practical city, the toler-
ant city, the city of civil. religious and po-
Etical freedom which has made IL In the
minds of the unionists, at least, cry
which is set on a hill--one that cannot be
hid. AS for civil and religious liberty, it is
only necessary to call attention to the TACT
that for Catholics there has been neither
Justice nor mercy. To public employment In
Belfast the old restriction still applies
but not a Papist
But for the last year or two close and
careful observers have imagined that they
have detected change coming over the
spirit of the dreams of this city, which IS
perhaps the most conservative and the
most tory of all of the cities of the second
rank in the united kingdom. More English
than any of the English cities, the change
I'm Belfast as in some of the sections OF
Great Britain has been largely due to the
So called labor vote. And when complete
analysis of the causes of various over turns
and changes in the votes In various horth
of ireland sections have been subjected to
a careful analysis 1t is believed that these
anti-tory triumphs have been brought
a bout more by the laborites than by the
home rulers.
Planning a Worlds Fair.
ireland is already planning worlds fair
which will be worth seeing in 1907. 1t will
embody the best of the results of the Indus
trial revival which have swept over the
island during the past decade. A large
Mot of ground in Dublin has already been
purchased, work will be begun on the build
;ngs In a few weeks and in the summer of
next year the Emerald Isle Will invite the
world to come and see 1t.
Plans for this really mammoth undertake
ing on the part of Ireland have been matur-
Ing for some years. There have been many
obstacles to overcome, but the movement
has been led Dy SucH iHuoHiildpio LiSi dS
James Shanks ex-lord mayor OF Dublin,
and they determined at the start that they
would not know the meaning OF the word
fall. They have at last raised the necessary
guarantee fund, and the enterprise is on
most promising basis. The main feature OF
the exposition will be the exhibition OF nome
manufactures. Everything will be done by
the erection of suitable buildings and facil-
tiles to make the Irish section show
worth going any distance to see. All trades
and every handicraft will be amply repre-
sented. Cottage industries will be given a
prominent place and the native arts and
crafts will have great display. This VIII
be rare opportunity for the Irish manu-
facturer. who, unless he exhibits abroad.
will never be able to exhibit to such crowds
as are certain to flock to see the exhibition
OF 1907.
incidentally 1t is expected that hundreds
of thousands of visitors will be drawn to
Ireland for the first time by this exhibition
II is expected, too, that this worlds fair
will form q magnet which viii draw thou
sands of observation-disclosures back TO their old
homes. It is no wonder then that Ireland
is looking forward to great things In 1907.