Omaha daily bee., 1910-02-06

10 ANANAknLA1s AAAAA aNA1 RaAk
ireland. to win for it avery advantage
they can, and frequently they accomplish
their ends by hampering and obstructiug
the business OF the empire. They will con-
tlnue to do this as long as they are there
to represent Ireland's protest. Gladstone's
home rule bills OF 1886 and 1898 were de-
because they aroused the fears Of
English imperialists for the unity and
security Of the empire. Statesmen Of today
are realizing that continuance OF the sys.
TEN which breeds Irish hostility must be a
far greater peril than the granting of
autonomy would be. 1t is difficult to
understand the theory tina governing a
people against their will makes them a
source Of strength, while giving them the
form Of government they desire would
arouse enmity.
seIf-GOvernment and Loyalty.
Surely this is a strange attitude when
the history Of the British empire shows, as
might be expected. that loyalty is the re-
suit. and not the %forerunner OF, self-gov-
ernment. Australia, South Africa, Canada
all went through the same experience as
Ireland. except that, being farther from the
seat OF the imperial government, they were
able to enforce their demands more rapidly.
They had their "treasons," plots and re.
b~ellions; they suffered coercion, imprison-
ments, executions. They had. too, their
local "ulsters," groups OF ultra-loyalists,
who called heaven to witness that they
alone represented public opinion, and bit
terly opposed concessions to the majority
on the ground that such a course meant
disintegration Of the empire. Yet In each
case autonomy was granted, and with what
result? That rebellion and opposition died
down, loyalty became universal and the
great British federation Of today was built
upon a foundation Of self-government, JUS
tice and mutual esteem.
A Parallel Case.
Let those who condemn Ireland for de-
manding home rule while opposing imper'
ial policies consider the case of Canada, as
remarkable a parallel as may be founo
in history. There, as in Ireland, were tive
races and two religions, and they were
separated by anlmosities far more bitter
than today separate n~ationalists and union
lists. England conferred upon the country
in response to agitation, a halfway com
promise constitution. Upper Canada NOV
Ontario) and lower Canada .(now Quebec
had each an elected house of assembly anC
a nominated senate" All executive power
however, remained with the appointed gov
ernor and his council, who were responsible
to London and In no degree whatsoever t
the people OF Canada. Against this sys
tenn there arose a fierce agitation, whicl
for years kept the country In turmoil. Mon
ster meetings were held when nationals
banners were Haunted and nationalist sent
ments flung In the face of the government
Coercion just as savage as in Ireland wa
applied. Meetings were prescribed, speak
ers arrested and imprisoned, newspaper
suppressed.
A Successful Revolt.
During all this time the Canadian ulster
was, of course, active, loudly proclaimin
its loyalty-to England, not to Canadian
calling upon the government to exterminat
this propaganda Of the majority and restor
the rule of the minority. The whole troubl
they said-and how familiar it sounds-wa
due to the EXAMINATIONS of ~irresponsibI
agitators and the efforts Of "a majority
numbers only to dominate the "wealtl
education n enterprise" OF the countr.
In a final effort to quell the agitation
England suspended the Canadian govern
mental system altogether. The effect we
to consolidate the opposition and fan IL
CAADCAS Va bSAAAO 1A WAlC L i
British empire was rejoicing over the a
cent OF Queen Victoria to the throne, Cal
ada was in arms. The revolt was shor
lived, but it was successful. Englar
FASTENED to grant home rule, and for Sc
enty years Canada, peaceful, loyal al
prosperous, has been marching forward
. the ranks Of the free nations Of Il
world.
Two Curious Pictures.
o AS I close these letters two curious pl
lures come to me. On a bright June d.
n in 1900 l stood on the railroad platform
Pretoria, chatting with a stout, beard
y man who leaned over the rear platform
q train. He was in military uniform, a.
. the train was loaded with armed trooI
which he commanded, infantry and art
lery. over the stony hills to the sout
ward came the irregular thud of field guI
for the attacking army was closing in
the Boer capital. Presently the train pull
out, the mar on the rear platform wavi
a courteous goodbye.
1t was General Louis Botha, command
Of the Boer troops fighting the Britt
forces, on his way to the front, to ma
tain for two years an unequal strugI
against the imperial armies.
The other picture was seven years late
May, 1907. Outside the Guild hall in LIZ
don, the streets are packed with DEF
crowds, the buildings gay with many fla
Through the lanes OF people rolls a C,
riage, preceded by a gathering squadron
mounted guards and followed by a mIgf
wave of cheers. From the carriage ste
a stoutly built man I'm frock suit and S
hat. Bowling ~gravely to the plaudits OF
crowd, he passes into the Guildhall, to
honored by the greatest men of Engla
and her colonies.
1t is the Right Honorable General Lo
Botha, prime minister OF the Transva
political ruler of a self-governing unit
the empire.
Home rule in the Transvaal, a free parl
ment In Pretoria, the enemy's comman
as prime minister, within five years of
ending Of the war. England can be i
and generous to the Boer. Does Irela
deserve less? VIII the interests of the e
pire be conserved with less2