Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-08-04
Tenants Buying Estates.

4SAduIS buying GSldtSS.
There has been very little trouble with
the landlords In this locality. Perhaps
that is due in a considerable degree to
the fact that the soil Is rich and the
harvests are good. and because the farm
ers are able to get a satisfactory return
for their labor and their money. Nearly
all the large estates here are being broken
up, however. and are being purchased by
the tenants under the act of 1903. Very
soon County Cork and the southern Sec
ton OF Ireland will be owned by the men
who till the SOIL Each farmer will have
his own permanent home. But the money
provided by parliament to be advanced to
the farmers for the purchase Of these
estates has been exhausted as 1 wrote
you last month. and the transfer Of the
titles to the new owners has been sus-
pended until additional funds can be rails
ed. This places the landlords that are
selling their lands in a very embarrassing
situation. 1t Is due. however. to nobody's
fault, but to lack of foresight and an
error Of judgment. The government off,
Gals never dreamed that the transfers OF
land under the Wyndam act of 1903 would
be so active and extensive: they did not
anticipate the readiness the landlords
have shown throughout Ireland, with only
few exceptions to dispose of their an
cestral estates, and they did not provide
more than 70 per cent of the funds that
will be needed before the transactions are
finished.
There is no dispute about it: all parties
commemorative landlords who SELL the
farmers who buy and the politicians who
do the talking and pass the iaws-all
realize the injustice of the present stu
alton to the landlords, and agree that
something should be done by parliament
as promptly as possible to complete the
land purchases under the terms agreed
upon as absolutely essential to the peace
and welfare of Ireland. But. as is often
the case. there Is difference of opinion
as to the best methods to adopt The situa-
ton is very much like the recent currency
complications in the United States. Every
body admits and demands that some re-
lief should be devised Immediately. but 1t
is difficult for the leaders to agree upon
the remedy.
Irish Leaders Resolve.
The leaders of the Irish parliamentary
party. presided over by Mr.. John Red
mond. after many conferences met the
other day and adopted resolution set
ting forth their attitude as follows:
Il. The progress of land purchase
should be accelerated. Money should be
provided much more rapidly than is pro-
posed In the treasury memorandum, and
the staff of assistants at the disposal of
portionately increased.
2. Losses on f1otation of stock issues
lthat Is. the discount on the bonds sold
below par to raise the money! should not
be allowed to fall upon the Irish-rate
payers. but should be met by the i'm
perial government.
80. Selling landlords should be allowed
the option Of receiving their payment In
bonds. and those who accept bonds should
have precedence in the settlements.
-. Rates of interest paid by the ten
ant purchaser should not be increased
IS. The maximum limit Of $50, 600 900
placed on the bonds should be extended
so as to provide a sum equal to IL DER
cent of the total purchase price
IS. better method of obtaining cash
to pay for the land would be by the is
sue Of consols (that is. regular govern
ment bonds). which are now quoted at
IS. instead Of land bonds, which are now
quoted at 80.
"7. The government should at once In,
troduce a land bill providing for compul,
sorry sales by the landlord