The Washington herald., 1907-09-15
By SEUMAS MACMANUS.

Correspondence Of The Washington Herald
Dublin, Sept. 9.-There is general indig-
nation throughout Ireland at the fact
that the Irish members in Parliament
have refraiued from embarrassing the
Liberal government over the shooting OF
| innocent people in Belfast. II in England
or Scotland a regiment of soldiers had
fred ball cartridges at the very first vol
ley, into a densely-packed crowd OF un-
armed people. the indignation Of the Eng
lish and Scotch would know no bounds.
Such a thing, however. could not and
would not occur in England or Scotland.
The first volley would. Of course, be fired
from blank cartridges, or else fired over
the heads Of the crowd. II is only in Ire
land that the murderous volley would, at
the first firing, he aimed at the hearts OF
the people II was an odi0us crime on
the part Of the authorities 10 order such
fire. A poor girl and two boys, who had
no share in the riots. and who were
going about their business at the time,
paid with their lives for the authorities
cruelty. Yet such. alas. is the subser-
viency Of our Irish party to the Liberal
government. which has already SO de
Iliberately fooled them with its comical
home rule bin that they have resolutely
refrained from embarrassing that govern
ment by moving the adjournment Of the
House in order 10 consider the Belfast
crime When a Ike crime was perpe-
trated in AIichelstowu. in the Land
League days. with the Tory party in
power, Gladstone and the whole party
threw up their hands in horror and for
months throughout England Gladstone
made the country ring with the famous
CRY. Remember AIichelstown,' our Irish
Z Parliamentary party to-day see their OWL
/ constituents murdered in the streets OF
Belfast and they raise no objection. above
a whisper, lest they should embarrass
government that has already proved itself
such a true friend 10 Ireland Truly
/ things have come 10 a pretty pass, poliu-
calIy, in Ireland.
( To-day, when the question Of the in
/ crease or decrease OF the Irish pOpula
/ ton has become 50 vital tie registrar
! generals returns are watched with mUCl
I interest For tEe last quarter. the birth.
/ in Ireland reached 25 E32. or 243 for ever
/ llo population. the deaths. -53S5. OF IS6
/ and the marriages 5a1S.
/ The Highest county OF county borough
/ birth rate is 3d. for Belfast. and Tn
/ lowest Il-2. FOR Eosc9mmJu County. o
/ the intermediate rates the highest fiv.
are. Dublin County Borough. 800. Antrim
I 2i6, Armagh. -i5, Down. 243. and Wex
/ ford 1ll The lowest FIVE are. Queens
| l-3, LeiJrim iS3, Tipperary. 1S6: Cavan
/ 1872. and Dublin County I%4
! The past summer has been so excep
1 u0nalIy bad, with cold and raia-the rai'
/ being almost continuous since spring
that the forthcoming winter and sprlnl
are looked forward 70 very gloomily il
! ireland. IL Is much feared thar the p0
tatoes VIII be. TO a great extent, fail
ure. Half the value Of the hay IS gone
and corn and other crops, TOO. sUffere,
/ severely. II IS IN the west that the great
/ est loss and the greatest suffering slway
Z occurs. because, Of course. while the ives
is the pO~est portion OF Ireland IL
likewise the raiuiest. Here is a lette
from a western priest which 1 find In th
daily papers
sir: Following mp my letter Of the Iltl iRs-. rs
Eariins The STATE ri the crops iu tLe west q Irs
land. I regret having o. state that The prospect
have leclme far worse flg -6e past week. Iht-
las h-eu constant rain since then. and tAe b.iEa