Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-06-19

alien king. That misunderstanding still
exists. A struggle Of 700 years has not
Innovations by Henry II.
Henry visited Tipperary and then estab-
lished a royal court at Dublin, where he
reigned six months and introduced many
innovations which were regarded more or
less seriously by the natives. Among
other things he required all the land
holders to surrender their estates and to
receive them back again as grants from
himself according to the ordinary terms
and obligations of feudal tenure. He
divided the island into counties; ap-
pointed sheriffs and Judges and set up
law courts and organized the hrst COM
plete centralized government ever known
since the time Of Brian Boru, the first
King of all Ireland. Unfortunately for
both countries Henry II returned to Eng
land after a stay of only six months.
leaving his son John. a youth OF nineteen,
on the throne. and his organization began
to disintegrate and drift. into disorder
soon after his departure. John did not
stay here long and very soon began the
fighting between the two countries which
has never ended, first in the field and
then in parliament and at the polls.
In Ireland as in Russia and several
other countries the people are land hun
cry. Although the population is decreasing
gradually there isn't enough territory to
satisfy it's requirements. Some portions
OF the island are crowded. Other sec
lions are sparsely settled and there is
land to spare. but what is more serious,
the greater part of the area belongs to
a few rich noblemen. many OF whom live
elsewhere and pay very little attention to
their estates. while the masses are either
crying for more land or have no land
at all.
Under these conditions the British gov
eminent many years ago, undertook the
titanic task of arranging an equilibrium.
of averaging things up. and securing for
everybody at least thirty acres or not
more than one hundred acres. to be paid
for in installments through long period
Of years at q very low rate OF interest.
During the last twenty-seven years 49,
All persons have taken advantage OF this
generous proposition and the government
has advanced them about $29OOOO, 600
from the public treasury to pay for their
farms.
Population and Area Of ireland.
The population of Ireland by the last
census was 4,456. 456. a falling of of
24S, 2O4 in ten years since the previous
census In 1S4S. before the great famine,
the population was 8. 295 600. which shows
that 1t has decreased nearly one-half
since that time. during the last fifty
years.
The area Of Ireland Is 2O.157 ,557 acres,
including bog and mountain. OF this area
only 2.357 $50 acres are under the plow;
IA, 712, $40 acres are devoted to hay and
pasture, of which 1t is estimated that 49,
900. 900 acres could be cultivated to crops.
But 1t Is a question whether such a thing
would be desirable. considering the great
demand and the high prices for hay and
cattle. beef and mutton. 1t would give
pie If 12.OOOOCO acres more were plowed
and planted no doubt but the experts
assert that the profits on hay and cattle
are larger than on grain and potatoes.
more than a million acres. is planted to
oats and only $4,000 acres to potatoes.
which is surprising. when you consider
that potatoes are the principal food of
the Irish peasant and. as some one
and clothing"
Mr.. william F. Bailey. one OF the gen.
tleman intrusted with the work Of set
thing the land question and distributing
the population of the island more evenly
than at present. estimates that thirty
acres Of average land In Ireland are neces-
sary to support a family. but the tax re-
turns show that the 100000 acres are
divided among 6s. 716 owners: That is. one
person in "a is a land owner. with an
average of 400 acres each, counting men,
women and children. although that 10 not
a fair basis of calculation In Ireland. be-
cause so many of the young and middle
than a natural proportion Of old men and
young children on the island
Showing Of Tax Returns.
The tax returns show that the land IS
actually divided among the IS 718 owners
as follows:
Owning 1O0. 900 acres or more.
Owning between Sc. 900 and 100 900. 500. Is
Owning between 20 900 and so 900. ....... 90
Owning between 10. 600 and 20, OOO.. 1855
Owning between 1000 ana iOWO. 4SS
Owning between 2O00 ana 0OO. ......... !.JSo
Owning between 1.On ana Z;Mu ......... a.ouS
Owning between 300 ana lVW........... LIN
Owning between 100 ana 5Oo ......... I.HSS
Owning between 30 ana IU. '............ 3.4.S