The Irish standard., 1908-01-25

the island with the annual cost, several
millions of dollars. levied on Ireland.
itself. He showed the further ridicu-
lousness of this fact by comparison Of
ireland and Wisconsin in size, Ireland
being much the smaller.
A brighter future is already dawn
ing for Ireland, however, Professor
Rohan maintains. Recent acts, the re-
suit of much and continued agitation
through the heroic efforts of some OF
Ireland's strong men at home and
friends in other countries have done
away with the complete servility Of
the tenants to the landlords. SO that
now it is not infrequent to see a ten
ant going to the elections and even
voting directly against the wishes of
his landlord and with no fear for the
personal results He predicts also
that this movement will soon further
result in the throwing onto the market
of large tracts Of rich but unused
lands In a way that will give the COM
mon classes chance to acquire land
In their own name which they will cul-
tivate and develop in way that will
be a great benefit both to themselves
and to the nation. This, he claims,
will tend greatly to stop the emigrat-
ing from the island as the common
people will feel that their chances for
making homes and prospering will then
be as good in Ireland as elsewhere.
These are only the beginnings Of the
reforms needed in Ireland, Professor
Rohan maintains. however, and he
gives it as his opinion that only COM
plete autonomy or absolute separation
from England will ever make the need
ed reforms possible, an opinion which
| he says is generally maintained by the
Irish people.
The lecturer was many times inter-
rupted by rousing applause, not only
for his keen wit, but also for his strong
and apparently well-grounded senti-
lnent. 1t was noticeable that while
forcible, clear and unequivocating in
his stands regarding the affairs of Ire
land and England, he made no state
ments exhibiting a questionable spirit
or that We're not tempered by the best
of judgment.
The series of views of Ireland pre-
sented by Professor Rohan were pleas
ing and instructive. Aided by his ex-
plantations it was the next best thing
to taking trip through the island. BY
the aid of these views he succeeded in
showing that Ireland is not only a
country rich in resources but also one
profuse with natural scenery not ex-
celled in any part of the world. The
views of beautiful cities and ancient
ruins both giving exhibitions of art
and architecture Of the rarest types,
substantiated his statements regarding
the standing of the Irish in those mat
ters in both the past and present. The
views also included some excellent
views Of other parts of Europe. The
machine for exhibiting these views
was furnished by Clarence J. Fletcher,
manager of the Wonderland theater,
and Mr.. Fletcher also furnished a short
moving picture program.
The program was also further en-
aanced by some musical numbers, con-
sisting of an instrumental trio, two
mandolins and piano, by Mr.. and Mrs
John Connolly and Ed Mondor. and
vocal solos by Miss Viola Breen and
Mrs. Connolly. all of the music being
Irish in character and most highly ap-
preciated. Mrs. John McKeough rem
dered the piano Accomplishments for
the vocal numbers.