The Irish standard., 1907-05-25

result in the generalization of the
Nationalist party and the existing
unity, which was Irelands strongest
weapon.
Mr. Redmond criticised the details
Of the financial and other features of
the bill as being inadequate when
compared with the great powers given
to the lord lieutenant. Government
by committees, he said, was unheard
Of. Knowing the constitution of the
British parliament, he knew it was
useless to try to secure satisfactory
amendments to the measure. In con-
clusion Mr.. Redmond said:
"The Liberal party must drop the
Roseberyite idea and must come back
to the standard of Gladstone. People
talked of an alliance Of the Irish party
with the Liberals. The Irish party
is independent. It can have an alli-
ance with no English people that does
not put home rule in the front of its
PLATFORM
After Mr.. Redmond had concluded
his remarks, speeches seconding the
resolution were made. A. ]. Kettle. a
veteran home-ruler, was the first
speaker, after which John O'Callaghan
Of the American branch of the Irish
League aroused the enthusiasm Of the
delegates.
DO you think" he asked, that the
task of Mr.. Bryce in America is going
to be made any easier because his COL
leagues have thrown in the face of the
Irish people this measure which you
today will throw in the faces Of his
colleagues with contempt"
Continuing, Mr.. O'Callaghan, amid
great applause, assured the delegates
that so long as England gives the
Beers, who fought her (cries Of land
beat her") more home rule than the
Irish, the 1rish-Americans will pre-
vent the alliance with the United
States which England so greatly de-
sires.
Father David Humphreys. another
speaker. proved to be a disturbing
slsmeat.
"cathofcs and Nationalists are the
same" he said. "The bill is directed
against the Catholic church. It would
drive the priests out of the schools
and let in the devil. In two genera
tions 1t would change Ireland into
France"
Father Humphreys speech was in
terrupted by many cries of dissent
| whereupon he shouted that the con-
vention was packed with Redmonds S
creatures" and Mr.. Redmond COM
PEELED him to take his seat for insult
ing the convention.
Joseph Devlin and Mr. Fitzpatrick
| of the American branch of the league
spoke deprecating sectarianism. Sew
| eral other speakers followed, chief
among them being Frank O'Connell
| an Australian member of parliament
who assured the convention of the
sympathy Of all Australians for home
rule. and T. P. O'Connor, M. p, who
| explained the reasons why the Irish
| members Of parliament distrusted the
| bill. He admitted that he had hoped
for a time that it might have been
amended into an acceptable form, re-
marked that the Irish members had
warned the government that the peo-
pie would reject such a measure, and
said that If all the cabinet ministers
were as honest as the prime minister,
Sir Henry Campbell Bannermann
more would be. done for ireland.
DR.. Timmins of Boston. the next
speaker. scored Father Humphreys
for the statements he had made to the
convention.
During the delivery Of the last few
speeches the delegates were clamor-
| ing for a vote on the resolution, and
finally. at o'clock, Mr.. Redmond put
the question. There was a tremen-
dous chorus Of "ayes.' and when he
asked for those who were opposed to
its passage there was no response.
Then the convention rose, cheered
heartily and the delegates streamed
from the hall. leaving only few to
transact minor business.
!, The Nationalist convention at Dub
lin having rejected Mr.. Birrell's Irish
bill, it is understood that the govern
ment will drop it for this session al
least, and proceed with the other re-
forms which its Liberal supporters are
urging, and with which the sessiona
| program is crowded That the gov
ernment cannot grant any wider meas
| ure Of self government to ireland
without causing dissension In the cab
| ;rn< 1s mt danind On tharA 10 M otho,