The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1907-08-10

Dublin, July 17.-As regards organ
isation the situation in Ireland some
what resembles that in Russia. Vari-
Gus bodies working toward the same
common end are in the field, and one
pulls against the other. to the detri-
ment Of the cause. says the New York
Sun. The anti-Home Rulers in Great
Britain and Ireland feel assured that
the divisions that have sprung up in
the Nationalist ranks will largely re-
lieve them of the necessity of fighting
against the dismembership of the en-
pire, and they are satisfied that the
old dictum of divide and conquer"
still holds good.
To learn how the United Irish Leag
ue actually stands and what its inten-
tions are the writer called upon Denis
Johnston. who has charge of the head
quarters Of the organization in Dub
lin. Mr. Johnston began by lament
ingathat the. Sim Fein party and the
National Council had come into an
,tagonism with the league. The aims
of both bodies were identically the
same until the action of the Parlia-
mentary party came into question. The
Sim Feiners wanted the Irish Nation
alists to withdraw from Parliament
and to head the agitation in Ireland
Many strong reasons might be urged
against this course. In the first place.
the party must be in parliament at
least once in twelve months, and If
they absented themselves the country
would be put to the trouble and ex-
pense of a general election.
If they did withdraw Ireland would
be represented in the House by eight
cen Unionists, who would do what
they liked with the various Irish in
terests that are brought up for dis
cussion. such as the amendment Of the
land act of 1903, the evicted tenants.
the education question and the fnan-
cial relations between the two coun-
was practically solidly against the
withdrawal of the members. Mr.. Do
Ian, M. p, had expressed his determi-
nation to resign his seat and go up for
reelection on the Sim Fein ticket;
but he had not resigned yet. He had
held several meetings, at each of which
the people had in the most emphatic
way shown him that they did not agree
. with his policy. He attempted to ad-
dress thousand people the other day.
The people turned their backs upon
him, and in the end he had to seek
refuge in a police harrack.
Asked the strength of the Sim Fein
party Mr.. Johnston said it could not
be given. The two leading men con-
nected with it were John Sweetnaan,
who was a grazier in the county Meath
and rancher in Minnesota. and P. T..
Daily. Mr.. Sweetman continued to be
a grazier. although one of the aims of
the Sim Fein was to do away with the
grazing system. It was impossible to
say what the strength Of the Sim Fein
party is, but it was telling fact that
while police note takers attended the
meetings of the United Irish League
they were never to be seen at the Sim
Fein meetings. 1t was hard to discov-
er members Of the new organization in
the districts in which branches were
said to exist Edward Martyn.. the re-
Gently retired leader Of the society,
was the first president Of the sectari-
IN body known as the Catholic .Asso-
citation. and the present leader. is AL
derman Cole, who is today one of the
, chief opponents of the same associa-
tion.
With regard to the present position
Of the United Irish League. Mr.. john
ston declared that since the rejection
by the country Of Mr.. Birrelrs bill. 1t
has become stronger than ever. 1t has