New-York tribune., 1907-06-23
Mr.. HEiLY on IRELAND

The announced determination of tho Irish
NationaliSts 10 sever all relations with the
English Liberals and 70 begin on their own ac-
count general movement for Home Rule which
shall be entirely harmonious and universal
except FOR or perhaps because Of the con-
tinued exclusion Of Messrs. Healy and O'Rricn
from the fod-marks in characteristic fashion
Il new stage in the history of the Irish dues
uoh' characteristic, because it displays that
unconscious mingling Of logic and lack of logic
which Is so often at once the delight and the
despair Of sympathetic observers of the irish
race. In Seycring relations with the English
Liberals and thus with all English parties they
are admirably logical and are, in fact reslnn-
/ ing Il policy which years ago was consistently
and honoraply maintained, down to the Treaty
OF hllmalnAam; and, of course, since their su-
preme aim Is to break the last link which
unites Ireland with England. It is most appro-
prnte that they should seek 1t by severing all
connection with English political parties. Yet
nothing could easily be more illogical than to
begin united harmonious and self-reliant cam
paign for Irish independence by excluding from
their councils two Of the foremost Irishmen Of
the day, who have probably done more and are
capable Of doing more for the Irish cause than
any other two Irishmen now living
In connection with this incident II is Of spe-
cial interest to observe the exceptionally illu-
minating light which Mr.. Healy, in the current
number Of The National Review" Q.ondonl
casts upon the general Irish situation With
what authority he writes may be Judged in
the light of the late Mr. Gladstone's testi-
mony that MIR. Healy understood his famous
Home Rule bill and other Irish measures and
indeed the whole Irish question better than
any other man That was many years ago. but
we have perceived no indications that Mr. Healv
has failed to keen that pnCVcIonu6ic
OF his strictly up to date Now he plthiIy de-
chfes that that strange mOnstrosity Of IIber-
allsln' Mt. BirrellS unfortunate Irish Councils
Dlil' was imposed upon the present British gov
ernnent by its Unlonist predecessor. and that
the result Of Mr. Balfour's tactics is seen in
the dominance of Lord Rosebe-y1g antl-IIome
Rule friends in the Liberal Cabinet That Is n
hne tribute to Mr. Balfour's skill as n political
tactican, and it affords-if it is true-a sns
ficently convincing reason why the Irish M
tionallsts should, as they have just done dlsso-
clate themselves entirely from all English
parties
!. Mr.. Healy with a caustc pen relates that
upon the late Mr.. GIadstones retirement from
the Liberal leadership Mr.. Davltt, Mr.. Dillon
and Mr.. Sexton expressed full confidence that
Lord ROsebery would faithfully carry out Mr.
Gladstones Home Rule plans. Accordingly they
allied themselves with the Liberals, and not
only opposed any relations with the Conserva-
tives, or even the acceptance Of favors from
them, but also organized an aggressive and
implacable war against them with ferocity
which at the time seemed inexplcable" So in
the last general elections the Irish practically
"plumped" the Liberal ticket and made them
selves an annex to the Liberal party Then
says Mr. Healy, "it the subtlest ircny
upon such politicians when a Liberal govern
"ment. with an overwhelming majority, offered
"meaner concessions than those denounced as
Insulting Tory schemeletsr
The Introduction of Mr. Birrers bill and its
rejection by an Irish convention-to which we
may add its subsequent abandonment by the
government since Mr. Healy's article was
'written-mark, in Mr.. Healy's Judgment q
turning point in Irish history. and will be at
tended with more far sssnhing reapltz than