Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-02-04

mixed up in the O'Shea divorce case
The charges made by Capt. O'Shea in his
Parnell's great political career. and
caused temporary but disastrous split
In the political factions of Ireland.
Gladstone's Bill Passes Commons.
In 1893 Gladstone. by his magnificent
efforts in behalf of the Irish. succeeded
IN having bill passed by the house of
commons, only to have it killed by the
house Of lords.
Several succeeding attempts to bring
about the enactment of bills to establish
ure. but with each ATTEMPT the movement
became stronger, and the probability Of
the passing Of such a bill became more
and more apparent.
In the meantime there was a new
leader born within the Irish party. This
was John F. Redmond, who by his force
OF character and indonnitable will made
the nationalist party a greater factor in
British politics than ever before. Each
succeeding election saw the number of
the Irish natiOnalists in parliament in
creased.
Finally, the unionists and liberafists
Englands two leading political parties,
began negotiating for an alliance with
the nationalists.
Redmond's opportunity came three
years ago when Lloyd-George introduced
his radical budget in the house of COM
mons The provisions Of this famous
measure were revolutionary. So heavy
were the taxes imposed on the large es-
tates that 1t made the owning of such
property almost prohibitive. After con-
siderable discussion the measure was
passed by the house Of commons
IT was foregone conclusion that 1t
would be defeated by the house Of lords
as these individuals would be the particu
lar sufferers if the bill became q law.
ihe failure OF the measure to pass the
upper body aroused the entire country.
Parliament was dissolved and the liberal
government went before the people for q
vote OF confidence.
Bargain Made by Nationalist.
They were returned to power. but
with a slightly decreased majority.
The Irish nationalists gained a few.
members in this election, and after the
returns were completed It was dtscoy.
cred that Redmond and his party were
In control OF the situation. BY throw
ing their votes with the unionist party
government to get through any OF its
measures. An alliance was immedi-
ately sought by the liberal leaders.
and Redmond agreed to support the
budget and other government meas
ures with the understanding that a
home rule bill would be introduced and
passed. The budget was finally passed
In the commons, and the lords were
compelled to swallow 1T.
The way, however, for a home rule
bill was not as yet paved. Although
Redmond was aware of his ability to
get home rule bill through the house
OF commons, he knew that IT would
meet its death In the house Of lords.
When the budget was first defeated
In the upper body a cry went up all
over the entire country against the
action of the house Of lords
Then began the agitation of the cur
tailment of the power of that august
body. The liberal leaders proposed
several radical measures for this refor-
nation, and some went SO far as to in
sist that the body be made an elective
one.
After the lords had been compelled to
swallow the budget the liberal leaders
turned their attention to the curtail-
ment of the power of that august body.
A measure was finally framed and
passed greatly reducing their power.
Despite the indignation of the men,
bers of that ancient body, they were
compelled to swallow the bill, but not
until another appeal had been made to
the country and the liberal govern
ment again sustained.
The way is now paved for home rule,
and when parliament convenes Febru-
airy IA Premier Asquith will Introduce
a bill giving Ireland a government of
it's own. Much discussion will follow,
but from present indications there is
nothing to prevent the enactment of
such a measure.