The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-10-30
DEvLIN IS MODEST
 BEFORE QUEST|0NER
Famous Irish Orator to Speak
 Here Today
RECEIVES MANY CALLERS
Is Puzzled to Know Where All the People Cnme From Who Have Been Added to Birming-
 hams Population

Second to Ireland the United States seems to be a good place to live" As he said 1t in reply to question, Joseph Devlin, who arrived in Birming- ham yesterday morning, twisted uneasiiy in his chair in his room at the Hotel Hill-
 man.
 The hesitating smile on his round, good
 natured face seemed to question the pro-
 priety of the sentiment Joseph Devlin Is member of the Eng fish parliament from Ireland and is said to be one of the best orators of that land of native eloquence. But MT. Devlin does not show any of his oratoricai pow CTS in conversation and especially while
 facing a newspaper man. He will not lead the conversation ex- cept to ask questions. He answers ques- courtesy.
 But his great reserve power is unmis- takable. His quiet modesty emphasizes the wealth of mind power that is re- pressed. His normal attitude Is one of lnquisitive thoughtfulness. He absorbs information while other men spout super
 ficial knowledge with the loud abandon
 of spendthrifts.
 On the rostrum 1t is said that Joseph
 Devlin drops his characteristic reserve
 and he is a true-Irishman. MT. Devlin is making tour of the south in the interest of the Irish National league, of which he Is secretary. John
 Redmond, who Is president of the league. is now making tour of the north. 'Tay Pay'' O'Connor, another noted leader, Is also in the United States working In the
 interest of the Home Rule movement for Ireland.
 MT. Devlin will speak at the Majestic theatre in Birmingham today and will go to Montgomery tomorrow. Mobile and New Orleans are also on his itinerary. Under the new act recently passed by the English parliament the farm ten- ants of Ireland, as well as England, are buying homes from the landed estates on which they have been tenants,' said MT. Devlin. "The ownership of land will
 improve the character of our citizenship
 and holds out some promise of greater
 liberty and prosperity to the Irish people.
 The average farm in Ireland is 30 acres.
 Ireland feels proud of her people who
 have made themselves felt in the pros
 perity and development of the American
 republic. Irishmen make good wherever
 they go, but they seldom come back to | Ireland except to visit their old homes | and friends.
 Better conditions in Ireland are re- ducing the outflow of emigration and there are many signs of improved indus | trial conditions.
 q regretted very much to hear after my landing in America of the death of
 the late Capt. Frank P. O'Brien, mayor | of Birmingham. I met Captain O'Brien on my former visit to Birmingham seven | years ago,
 T am suffering with very severe cold | In my throat and have not left my room today, therefore have not been able to
 Sec how Birmingham has developed since
 my last visit. l am puzzled to know | where all the people that have been ad- ded to your population during the past big holes in population of any other sec ton of the United States" Mir. Devlin Is a short plump, well built
 man with a most pleasing face. He has
 way of standing close up to you and turning his head down over one sho builder
 as he looks up into your face and talks, or rather answers your questions. His voice Is as mild as that of woman. He had many callers during the after
 noon and those people he met during his former visit he was able to call by name.
 He would make good American poli- tician.