The Washington times., 1906-10-06
THOS. P. O'CONNOR
TALKS Of IRELAND
Noted Man of Letters Guest
Today of Friends in
Washington.
CALLS ON THE PRESIDENT
Famous Irish Statesman's Views of
Future Of Home Rule
Party.

Thomas Power O'Connor. man OF let
ters. journalist and politician-for that
is the order in which he himself. laugh
ingly arranged his three careers, when
he was asked MS own rating OF them
was in Washington today. called on
President Roosevelt. and received the re-
spects OF many prominent Irishmen and
other people OF the Capital Citv.
More than literary man. or journalist,
or statesman, Mr. O'Connor is an Irish
man. Twenty-sevel years a member of
Parliament and most widely known as
one OF the exemplars of Irish aspiration
for better things political. he admits
that the public career was rather forced
upon him.
ireland needed the help OF everyone
who could contribute anything" he ex-
planned, "and so ! got into politics, I
have been there ever since. My tastes.
however. would have led to letters, if
had been free to follow them"
Third Tour of States.
The famous Irish state5man-Who. by
the way, represents a Liverpool constit-
uency, rather than an Irish one-is max
ing his third tour In the United States
He has a wide acquaintance with Amer
lean public men. and asked after a num-
ber whom he had not met on the pres
ent tour. He spoke with especial pleas
ure of his relations with my friend
Tom Reed" and expressed great admir-
alton for President Roosevelt. whom all
Irishmen regard as one of their best
friends
Mr.. O'Conuor came to the United
States primarily 20 attend the convon-
ton. just closed i'm Philadelphia, of the
United Irish League Of America. His
great speech-for Il should not be
omitted 10 mention that this versatile
son OF Erin 81 also one of the great
orators or parllament-Was the keynote
OF that gathering. He was greatly I
pleased with the manifestation Of sym
Pathy and interest IN the United States
In the renewed prospect of success for /
Ireland In her ambitions for home rule. /
The Pivot in Politics.
"Nominally, il is true. the Irish home
rule party does not hold enough strength
IN the present house Of commons TO
make its cooperation absolutely nee /
essary for continuance Of Liberal /
power" explained Mr.. O'Counor. But
as a matter OF practical politics, they
must have us The Irish home rule /
party is sim the pivot OF British poll /
tics"
Mr.. O'COnnor expressed confidence +
and satisfaction when asked about the /.
outlook FOR home rule legislation un- !
der the Campbell-BannermaR govern /.
ment
"A bin viii be introduced in February
next" he said. and We anticipate its /
passage by the commons. looking 10 the 4
establishment OF Ireland's parlia- /
menJ The political situation IN the /.
kingdom is now such that the reform 4
elements Of Great Britain must CO. (
operate with us because they are as
are to our home rule ideas. We can
help them to what they want. and they 4
can help up 90 realization Of our am 4
bitOns- Together these two interests (
now allied In a common sympathy as 4
well as a common interest. viii succeed /
at last"
quired the questiOner. "Wiu the home /
rule bill have better fate at their i
hands than did the Gladstonian meas /
ures directed to me same end?"
Where Opposition Is Expected.
T anticipate, replied Mr.. O'Connor. /
that there will be a very determined 4
opposition in the lords. They will not !
willingly give UP their opposition 10 the I
progressive policies TO which the coun-
try is committed. 1t Is safe to look for (
a long and vigorous agitation. in which
public opinion will make itself felt most /
earnestly"
There have been frequent suggestions (
OF late. in more radical quarters. that +
the time is at hand for the abolition OF .
the lords. Do you anticipate that the .
contest may extend so far as effort in .
that directiOn?"
There has. Il is true. been suggestion
OF that sort said the Irish leader. We
can't tell what may develop from the /
present movement. but il can always
safely be borne in mind that the English
TefOTmeTs are just as determined TO Sc
cure the legislation In which they are
interested at this time as any OF the
rest or us. There Is a majority in the
commons OF about us for the home rule
measure; far greater than either OF the
Gladstone bills ever secured
But II II comes TO contest over the
existence OF the lords. will IL De pos
sible to accomplish that end without
resort to extra-consttutional methods" ."
Always a Way for Good.
Mr.. O'Counor looked down from his
six feet two Of commanding stature and
smiled. There are always methods of
achieving good ends" he suggested; and
though he did not say it, there vas H.
his confident manner the unavoidable
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