Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-05-26
IRISH BILL NOT LIKED
Dramatic Rejection of the Gov
ernment's Measure.
POSITION OF Mr.. REDMOND
His Party Is Rapidly Losing Ground
in Ireland.
CHURCH rs STILL VERY STRONG
Anti-Sectarian Feature Of the Ma
tionalist Movement Is Growing
Immensely, It Is Said.
POSITION OF Mr.. REDMOND
CHURCH rs STILL VERY STRONG


Special Cablegram to The Star
LONDON, May 25.-The dramatic reJec-
ton Of the governments Irish council Dill
by the Dublin convention marks genuine
revival Of life and human interest IN the
Irish political situation. a return OF the
excitement which has been sadly lacking
for more than ten years past. The first fact
which 1t demonstrated is highly significant
In that the Irish nationalist members OF
parliament have to a considerable degree
ceased to represent their country, most or
them having been SO long at Westminster
that they are out Of touch with the true
sentiments Of their constituents. They have
had a sudden awakening. and even Mr.
Redmond admitted the fact by implication
in his speech at Dublin. He Is a quick,
adroit politician, and is clever enough to
follow followers so promptly that he seem
ed to lead the movement for the rejection
of the bill in the convention. There Is no
doubt whatever that before he went to Dub
lin he was ready to accept the govern
ment's bill on the principle that half loaf
Is better than no bread. and the government
so understood the position Of the Irish party
when they introduced the measure. Moth
ing in Mr. Redmond's skillful attempts to
prove himself consistent can alter this fact
Tendency to Compromise.
The tendency of English political life is to
compromise any difficulty even when prin-
ciple is involved. This spirit during recent
years has gained some hold upon the ma
tionalist party in parliament. They admit
ted that the governments bill contained
nothing on which future home rule could be
constructed; in fact, 1t was only an ease
ment which would tend, if anything. to post
pone the realization of their ambition. Yet
q mol nrif Of fhny,, xx,iIr s,~ x<E
accept 1t. They have learned now that their
countrymen are not of this stamp Those of
every party in Ireland itself will have Moth
ing TO do with this hybrid measure, and ac-
cordtngly the bill is dead.
Mr.. Redmond's position as leader Is
shaken. His party is rapidly losing ground
in Ireland, as he himself admits, but ma
tionalism Is not dead in Ireland, although
its character is changing.
Church Very Strong.
The church continues a tremendously
strong Institution in the country, but the
anti-sectarian feature of the nationalist
movement is growing immensely. There is
growing up in Ireland intense and prac-
teal patriotism which finds expression in
a revival of the Gaelic language, the boy
cotting, whenever possible, of all but Irish
products and an appeal to Irfshmen abroad
to help Ireland by consuming. whenever
possible what Ireand produces|in other
words, making every effort to exalt Ire
land and Irish interests in non-poltical
ways.
Thismew sentiment is the nationalist sem
timent also, and it Is coupled with faith
that the future will bring political indie
pendence.
Rejection Was Humiliating.
The effect of the rejection of the bill
upon the Campbell-Bannerman government
was most humiliating. Never. perhaps.
was a British dominant party placed in
such an embarrassing position. The measure
was the principal item of their program
for the balance Of the session They In
troduced 1t, believing that it would be ac-
ceptable to their quasi-Irish allies. and
they hoped that 1t would make another
nail In the coffin Of the presently constituted
house Of lords IL they rejected it. A large
majority of the house Of commons was
ready to pass 1t, and now 1t must be aban-
doned as though 1t never existed.
A New Program.
Prime Minister Campbell Bannerman will
announce a new program at the session on
Monday Bitter as his feelings must be
against the Irish party for what at first
glance might seem like duplicity. but which
is really innocent of such guilt, he win not
care to give expression to his sentiments.
One effect of the action of the Dublin
convention cannot fall to be the complete
Independence henceforth OF the Irish party
and the liberals Mr. Birrells position as
able and further cabinet changes may be
looked for Mr.. Chamberlain prophesied
when the present government came into
power that it would dfsintegrate WITHIN
two years. The process certainly begins to
show signs Of progress. f--