Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-04-09
UNITED IRISH LEAGUE
Rapid Growth of the National
Organization.
Special cablegram 10 The Star.

DUBLIN, April 9.-At its sixth an
nuai meeting Just held the national direc-
tory demonstrated in its report the rapid
and continued growth of the national or
ganlzation. According to those reports the
development of the United Irish League,
tested by the number of new branches or
the total of subscriptions. is pre-eminently
satisfactory Beyond all comparison last
year was the most successful of its exist
ence. The subscriptions as compared with
the previous year were S15,5O0 to $40 500;
the number of branches had increased by
IT'S to the total Of I.460, which is the pres
ent muster roll. The secretary reported ac-
tivity and enthusiasm on the part Of exist
ing branches. He also reported requests
for the establishment of branches in dis
tricts which have hitherto lain outside the
sphere Of influence of the organization
Subsequent resolutions showed deter
mination TO organize further theaforces OF
large districts already in revolt against the
unionists Provision was made for fuller
nationalist registration in such districts in
preparation for the next election. On the
great questions of the restorat ton of the
evicted tenants and the redistribution of
grassiands the report may be said to be de-
cidedly encoura ging. The secret instruc-
lions by which Mr.. Wyndham had, In def
ance of his pledges to the house of COM
mons, deliberately hampered the work of
restoration and redistribution: the secret in
structions which constrained the commits
sioners TO put aside all things else save to
push the sales through at big prices, have
been Cancelled, 1t was reported. Hope was
expressed that the long-vexed question of
reinstatement will have moved long way
in the direction of a complete settlement be-
fore the next six months have elapsed.
Record of Hearty Approval
Naturally the first resolution adopted was
record of hearty approval of the over
whelming defeat of the conservatives and
unionsts. The director, by resolution,
declared unreserved support and approval
for the policy of the liberals and nation
alists. 1t appeared confident In its resolve
to keep home rule In the forefront while
pressing for minor reforms as necessity and
opportunity may arise. The promise Of a
laborer's bill was hailed with satisfaction,
and an urgent appeal was made to the gov
eminent to draw the bill on generous lines,
that it may give the relief for which it is
designed
The mission resolved on to America and
Australia and the delegates selected COM
manded enthusiastic approval The direc-
tory expressed desire for understand
ing with the United States, and 1t was
hoped that their influence would be exerted
in favor of home rule legislation. Com
ment was made on the fact that the address
of the Australian federation to his majesty
the king is the most advanced manifesto yet
seen showing Australia's interest in Ireland.
and develop the support of the colonies and
America no better delegates could have been
chosen, Mr.. DevlIn having already won
golden opinions in America.
Efficacy Of Irish Police.
An agitation Is going on concerning the
efficacy of the Irish police The claim is
made that the Irish police cost exactly
three times what the police of Scotland
cost. BY way of light upon this subject
the following statistics for 1908, the last
year available, have been cited:
Crimes. Acquitted. Convicted.
s fTsIa n5 7s sss s ssS IFS IFS
In the prisons of Scotland in the same
year there were 287 convicts; in those of
ireland, PAP
The contention is that the Irish police
do about a third much duty per man
as the Scotch police. One critic says
that he has never known in ireland out
single exception consisting Of $50 po--
Iicemen who were ordered by a drunken
district inspector to charge the unonend-
ing people through the streets. Experts
who have given the subject careful study
say that there is room for decided i'm
provement among the police officials Of
Ireland and that the first step in the
right direction should be the organization
at the headquarters in this city of thor
oughly efficient staff on the same lines as
Scotland Yard.
intermediate Education.
Whatever criticisms the system of Irish
intermediate education may deserve, 1T
cannot be denied the tribute of having
attracted the confidence of the intermedi-
ate schools. This years entries for the
examinations constitute another record
The total is 1897, an increase OF 1879 on
the figures for 1905, which themselves
represented an increase of 1922 on the
figures for 1904 So that in two years the
number of candidates has increased by
rs per cent. The girl candidates number
$40 more than last year. an addition of
nearly 16 per cent; and the boys $40
more, an increase of over 10 per cent 1t
used to be a well-founded criticism Of the
intermediate system that 1T encouraged
the neglect of general teaching in the
schools and the concentration of effort
upon q special class to the detrinent Of
the merely average boy. That can
longer be true, for with the intermediate
classes numbering nearly 10000 they
must include practically all the pupils in
the intermediate schols within the pre-
scribed limits of age. This remarkable
growth Is taken as another indication of
the keen interest OF the people in educa-
ton.
Apathy Regarding Exhibition.
Mr.. f. w. Crossley has just written an
article on the apathy regarding the inter-
national exhibition. He says:
I'm less than fourteen months from to-
day the opening ceremony of the Irish
international exhibition is due to take
place. The governors of the Bank of Ire
land have sanctioned 100000 credit on
the security of S750,000 of guarantees.
IN writing this letter / am solely actu-
ated by a desire to bring the public into
sympathy with a movement which If sue
cessful must rebound to the credit of the
country and benefit its Industrial
sources Should surplus of profit be the
result of the happy enterprise the money,
1t is understood, will be devoted toward
the establishment of institute of in
dustries and to attain this object those
who have become guaranrors have pledg-
ed their credit to the large amount above
stated. On the other hand. however,
should the enterprise fall not only will
its useful purpose be defeated but the
onus of failure will fall with damaging
force upon Irishmen, and their business
aptitude will suffer severe criticism.
Under the circumstances 1t will be admit
ted that the duty of every subscriber to
the enterprise should be to personally in
terest himself in making the exhibition
success. / am surprised, however, to find
while travelling through Ireland that
there appears to be no knowledge what
ever Of the important undertaking which
is destined to take place in this city in
1907 Indeed very little lis known of the