Evening star., 1909-02-08
Nearly $500 Raised.


Irish patriotism was prominently mani
tested throughout the evening. and when
Mr.. Ryan declared that money is the
test of Irish patriotism the audience
measured up to the full standard. and in
five minutes nearly 500 was raised to
help the cause of Irish self government.
1t Is expected that the fund from Wash
ington to be sent to Dublin will reach
81 900.
Representative BOurke Cochran of New
York presided. and the speakers were
William +. Curtis, Michael j. Ryan and
| Rabbi Abram Simon of the Washington
! Hebrew Congregation.
| In his Introductory remarks Mr.. Cock
| ran pointed out that the Irish people are
winning a blOodless battle. Seven years
ago. he said. the Irish people realized
that they did not control the very land
under them nor the government over
| them, and they determined to secure con-
| troll of both
| In the seven years which have fol-
lowed. he said they have entered into
possession of much of the land which
they till. and are rapidly entering into
| the control OF the government over them.
When the Irish will control their land
and their government is question of
| time, depending on their fel1ow-country
| men in America and upon the public
opinion we can arouse in their behalf.
Improvement in Conditions.
William +. Curtis, in an hours lecture,
pictured graphically the present condi-
tions in Ireland, the improvements which
have been made in recent years and the
| advances which are 10 be made in the
next few years. The Irish people, at
present. he said, are prosperous and con-
tented, but are not prosperous as they
ought to be. The Irish landlords. he de-
Ciareu, are dcSirOuS of selling their Lands
!
| them. but mo-e and more land Is being
| bought by the natives. The people are
also entering into the local government,
| he explained, and nearly every local gov
| ernment official on the Celtic isle is ma
| tive.
Mr.. Curtis also described the work of
the "congested district board in behalf
OF the Irish people. That district extends
along the west coast of the island and
/ although the population is not large it is
larger than the bleak coasts and arid
fields can support. Old one-room shack0
are being replaced by the board with one
and two story houses, with several rooms.
IN other parts of the island :he people
are more prosperous. Peasants who
We're evicted in the past for non-payment
| of rents have been restored to their
lands and the back rents Cancelled. and
the land board has adjusted the rentals
of 36O,WU farms, reducing the rentals
more than S1.0uoU0O. There is much yet
to be done in the island. said Mr.. Cur
tbs
Land Owned by the Toilers.
The American mind can hardly con-
ceive that less than thirty years ago,
said President Ryan. half of the land of
| Ireland was owned by $50 absentee land
| lords and companies. and the other half
was in the hands of 1900 owners. The
land of 100000 Of people was in the
hands of about 100 persons. Tonight, as
| talk to you, there are 3O1,GOO tenant
farmers in the island and more than half
of the land has passed into the posses
sion of those who till it.
The English have established twenty
eight parlaments in the colonies of the
empire, and only India and Ireland are
There misery, want and shame have been
the badges OF her rule. An endeavor is
now being made to arouse the sense of
justice We are told exists in some Eng
liShmen and money is needed for the
work.
Subscriptions to the League.
His appeal for money met a generous
response. The subscriptions were as fol-
lows
William f. Downey, 500; John T. De-
vine, 500; p. Drury. so; z. j. Brennan
$50; Mrs William F. Downey, 500;
Michael r Mccormick, $50: P Shugrue
SD; jeremiah O'Connor, S25: the Rev
p Conroy. 50; Z. j. Walshe. So: James
f. McGhee SO: +. J. Nee, S2J; r. A.
Dore. So; Mr.. Rafferty,. SO: NJ. c. Flan-
merry. SO: A. j. Kane. SO: r. d. Nc
| kelvey. 50: Dennis Brown 50: q. f.
Hilbourpe. 50: John 7. OBrien, So a
friend. 50: total. $3.50.
| When Rabbi Simon rose to make the
closing address the protracted ap-
plauSe indicated that he has warm
spot in Irish hearts. and his address was
Ipunctuated with many outbursts of ap-
plause. He declared that the age of ma
tional miracles has not passed and no
one contradict the prophecy of a
glorious future for ireland.