Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-07-03
exception Of the right to impose customs
duties upon British goods.

exception Of the right to impose customs
| duties upon British goods.
This has been promised us by leaders
| OF the liberal party now in power. BUT
| they insist upon postponing II until AFTER
| another election for the reason that
was not an issue at the last and no notice
was given to the people before they voted.
| That is mere pretence, however. They
positively pledged home rule. but they
/ didn't say when.
| we are very much encouraged In our
| confidence because home rule Is growing
| in popularity. There are many home
rulers in high places The king has shown
great deal of sympathy and interest
and the national party has always been
| told that they could rely upon him. In
Gladstone's time he was said to be true
| friend of Ireland. He was always kindly
in his sentiments and is said to have been
| a home-ruler. He is very popular In
| Ireland. much more so than his mother.
| the late queen. and he has been over
several times since his coronation. When
| | was lord mayor his majesty visited
| Dublin. but the corporation refused TO
present the customary address OF welcome
because they feared it would be construed
by the British public as a weakening In
our demands for home rule. But all the
same from what / knew. l believed that
he was friendly to home rule and the
Irish people.
Our lord lieutenant. the Earl Of Aber-
deem. and his predecessor. Earl Dudley.
are both outspOken home-rulers SO is
Augustine BirreIl the chief secretary for
ireland. and his predecessor. James
Bryce who is now your neighbor in Wash.
ington. John Morley and many others OF
the abest statesmen and the most in
fluential thinkers in the Kingdom are out
spoken In their sympathy for us. we 90
not lack friends anywhere. and l believe
the British people are becoming more
and more convinced of the justice of our
demands and that the fair minded element
OF the British population Will concede
them.
I'VE have not decided what alliance
we will make at the next election. Most
OF our friends and advocates are men,
bers of the liberal party. but we have
good friends in the uniOnist party also
We will give our support to that party
which will do the best and the most
for us. and If we go with the liberals
they must give us positive pledges that
they will pass home rule act Immediate
ly: that there will be no more postpone
ment. We must know what to expect be-
fore we will support any body
Opposition to Home Rule.
How do the people of Ireland stand
with regard to home ruler
About seven to one. and that Is the
natural proportion. 1t Is about all we can
expect The opposition comes from the
as the land questions are settled; the
nobility are generally against u.s. because
they do not want the power to pass into
the hands of the masses; the official
classes who now hold office are naturally
opposed to any change in the present sys-
TEN: the Presbyterian and other non
conformists are very largely against US
probably three to one-because they
have an enormous majority under home
rule. The professional men. the mer-
chants and the manufacturers are about
equally divided"
What is the program OF the national
party for the future"'
1--WE have a very short and simple pro-
gram" answered Mr.. Harrington. (which
is to continue our demands upon the gov
eminent. to keep the home 1;.u rule issue sue
to educate public sentiment"
us the liberal party in England likely
to carry the next election?"
The liberal party had such an enor-
nous majority at the late election that 1t
would seem impossible for the unionists
to recover so soon. The liberals have
been doing a great deal to conciliate the
labor vote. the socialists and other indie
pendent elements, and the recent by-elec-
tions show that they are retaining their
popularity. My belief is that the liberals
will continue to control legislation Tor
some time yet"
Ireland Generally Prosperous.
What is the general condition Of Ire
land?" asked
ireland is generally prosperous. but
the returns of trade and commerce do not
show it. People who have money are
holding 1t back until the home rule ques-
ton Is settled. They are afraid OF the
effects of agitation and political disturb
ance and won't invest in new enterprises.
My belief is that no country can be pros
porous, peaceful and contented that does
not control its own affairs. The mere
fact that we are agitating for home rule
and that the question remains undecided
leaves Ireland in a bad way. We cannot
get down to permanent prosperity until
our future form of government is def
nitely settled.
Manufacturing is active and prices are
fair but we are done out In many re-
spects by the English manufacturers be-
cause they have a large local market 10
begin with and depend upon, and more
convenient channels of trade. Ireland
builds ships. makes linen and wooden
fabrics and lace. but does very little else
except agriculture.
lis emigration likely to continue?'
Il don't think anything can prevent 1t.
replied Mr.. Harrington. 1T is often said
that when get home rule many Irish
men will return from America, but
very much doubt that. I think that emf
so much better over there and so many
people in Ireland have friends In the
United States who are always coaxing
them to come and pointing out the ad-
vantages Here a farm hand is paid
from II to Is shilings a week; an ordi-
nary Iaborer gets IL shillings a week:
carpenters. bricklayers. masons. machin-
lists and other skilled mechanics from '6
TO 40 shilings a week. and I am not sure
that home rule will not increase those
wages
What do you think of the Sim Fem
movement?'
Il do not consider 1t practical, and we
have come too near winning success 70
chnuPe OLE nolicieS for ANYTHING SO ideal