The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1907-10-05
IRELAND's WOES.
Many Of Them Still Due to Landlord
,iam

Many Of Them Still Due to Landlord. i.
ism.
Robert Hunter, the well known New
York sociologist, after tour O. Ire.
land. where he studied conditions
closely, especially In the western coun-
ties, said:
"The trouble with Ireland is land
lordism. The people cannot get land
enough to till to make a living. Misery
and poverty are visible in the western
counties of Ireland. Depressing, fam
tnous conditions are certain to prevail
there during the winter. The potato
crop has been an entire failure owing
to the bad summer. With famine
menacing them there is no telling
what the people may he driven to this
winter. The government authorities
are becoming alarmed. They are in
creasing the police force everywhere.
Obviously the government is expecting
widespread trouble this winter.
Since the strike of the Royal irish
constabulary in Belfast the authori-
ties have reason to believe that the
traditional loyalty of this splendid
body of men may have been dtmin-
ished. h.,
"As remarked, tAe' slandlotd sy~,en,
is the basis of most 6f 1reland's woes,
I saw places where it was Impossible
for tenants to make a living without
fishing. They were paying rents that
even New York and Ohio farmers
would object to. The soil is so Door
that 1t produces scarcely anything ex-
cept potatoes.
II found the demand for home rule
greater than ever. There Is q spirj,
of revolt in the air. was struck by
the enthusiasm of the members Of vari-
GUS organizations to secure an Irish
Ireland. Wherever I went :ound
people attending public meetings,
where vast crowds showed their dead
ly earnestness In demanding home
rule.
"The Irish have ceased to expect
anything from the British parlia ment
They decline to accept anything but
home rule. They are convinced that
the time for compromise has passed
Home rule or nothing is their cry.
l was amazed TO fine everywhere
young men Joining leagues for the
economic upbuildng of Ireland
The conditions in Ireland are gen.
orally improving, thanks to the re-
awakened energy of the people, espe-
cially young men.
"on the agraran side things are be-
coming serious. In many counties the
people are resorting to violence +, nre-
vent the letting of farms for grazing.
They demand that farms be let for
tilling in order 10 provide food for
families In one state revolution prac-
tically prevails. In several place.
the people are living on bread, pots :
toes and tea, while thousands of rich
acres are near by which they arc un-
able to rent
Il was surprised to find a wave of
temperance sweeping over Ireland.
Young men everywhere report reach
Ing the moral cause Of temperance or
political grounds. 1t is argued that
the way to hit England is to stop in
creasing Englands revenue from the
sale of beer and whisky.
"This policy is certain to decrease
the bank accounts Of the largest Irish
landlords, who are brewers and dis
tillers. 1t is now unpopular for young
1rishmen to drink. ireland today con-
tains more extra ordinary young men
Of intelligence and industry than I've
seen in any other country. Ir.landa
salvation depends upon her youth: /:
that they will not fail her.
"Ireland's grievances are real Mis-
government and landlordis1n are at the
bottom of them. From 1871 to 1907
100000 sturdy emligrants left Ireland.
In thirty-seven years the population
has decreased 90 per cent while Eng
lands population has increased at the
! same ratio. In 1871 there were $751;
900 acres under cultivation. In 1906