The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1907-08-03

A second tour in the south and
west strengthens the opinion that the
days Of the cattle ranchers are num-
bered and that within measurable
time the vast grass lands will be ii-
vided up and shared among the people
who are now living in the bogs and
on poor and unproductive holdings.
says the New York Sun. Grass farm
after grass farm is being given up.
Obeying the demands of the people,
the graZiers are either abandoning the
lands at once or have given undertake
ings to surrender them. The farmers
have already won many victories and
they are confident that they will be
successful all along the line, and that
the empty prairies of Red Roscommon.
Sligo. Mayo and Galway will be peo-
pied with comfortable farmers in the
immediate future.
One change of considerable note has
occurred. When the late government
was in. power a solemn undertaking
was given that If any estate was
forced to sale by stress of agitation
the land commissioners would have
nothing to do with it. The present
government has altered that and is
prepared to deal Immediately with the
cattle ranches that have been thrown
vacant since the anti grazing war
started. 1t would take the entire po-
lice force of all Ireland stationed in
three counties alone to protect the
graziers there, and it is recognized
by Dublin Castle that it would be
quite impossible to stop the war by
the use of the ordinary force at the
disposal of the crown. Hence drives
are Of frequent occurrence, and the
landlords and graziers look upon their
case as hopeless and believe that if
they stand out against the will of
the people worse evils may befall
them.
The worst districts in the region
of disturbance are Athenry and Lough
rea, where the people do not lose time
in talking but set to work in a spirit
of the greatest determination. Unlike
the agitators of other parts they are
not content to drive the cattle off the
farms but have taken steps against
the herds and the owners of the
stock. The boycott is vigorously ap.
piled, and within. the last few weeks
shots have been fired through the
windows of the dwellings of men VIII
stand out against the agitation.
A few nights ago a. body of cattle
drivers. came into collision with the
police in the. dark. the constabulary
lying in ambush to prevent the drive.
At first the people skirmished against
the 'constables with stones and in
ficted injuries upon several of them.
Then firearms were. brought into play
and the constabulary replied. The
police did not attempt to make any
arrests and brought the action. to a
close by shouting to the men that
they were committing an illegal act
by firing upon the officers of the
crown. The: crowd got away in. the
dark, having partly succeeded in their
cattle drive. Up to- the present the
constabulary. have taken no acti IN
against those who were present, al
though they say that they know. sew
eral of the men,:
A few nights ago in the House of
Commons the Irish Chief Secretary
complained that the graziers and land
lords did not take steps to protect
their own property I have been in
touch with several important land
lords in the disturbed areas and de-
bated this point with them. They pre-
tend to see tn the Chief Secretary's g
words a hint that they should keep
armed parties on their properties. and
say that the Chief Secretary must not
be surprised in the near future II he