The Irish standard., 1915-09-11
Denies Plea of
Bishop Of Lenlrick

against any Government that now re.
fuses to entertain the proposals which
are made in the name of religion, by
one who is perfectly impartial, and
has no interest to serve but the we'll.
being Of all the nations.
But over and above these general
considerations of religion and human
ity. the vital interests of our own
country call clamorously for peace.
You know far better than do that
every day Of this war is piling up q
load Of debt which will impoverish and
cripple this poor country for genera
tions. The first budget, after the !
war. will probably reach the astound-
ing figure of s4O0,0Oo.000 (two billion
dollars), of which Ireland's share will
be one-twentieth- e2O,0O0,000 Zone
hundred million dollars). Do you
think that any measure of prosperity
will be possible under such a burden!
Where will the money come from, un.
less they tax the land and undo all
the good Of Land Purchase, which has
cost the country so dearly.
Then, the moment the war ceases,
there will be sudden collapse Of
prices. and woe betide the man who
will not have made provision for that
day. Strong men will be hard set to
keep their heads over water; but the
ordinary farmers will find it enough
to do to pay their annuities, much
less to meet an unheard of load of tax
alton.
England, too, will feel the strain;
but she has great resources. She can
weather the bad times for some years,
and, whatever way the war goes, will
recover her prosperity. 1t will be very
differnt with us. Win or lose, the
war already spells poverty for US for
a generation, and, II 1t goes on for an
other year. it will sink US in irretriev-
able ruin.
That Is a sad prospect for our poor
country, and condemns Home Rule, IL
we get 1t, to hopeless poverty andaip.
potence.
Appeals to Redmond to Get a Fair
Hearing for the Pope's Noble
and chrIst.llke Proposal.
Therefore, we may hope that you
will use your influence to get fair
hearing for the noble and Christ-like
proposal of the Pope. In England
people have been complaining of his
silence. Now that he has spoken we
may hope that they will show defer
ence to his words.
But, whatever they may say or do
in England, we Irish Catholics have
no excuse for disregarding the appeal
of Our Holy Father. Our duty and
our highest interests are on his side
in this movement for peace, and.
therefore, should hope that you will
bring your great influence to bear ON
the English Government and press It
to give his proposal fair and reason
able consideration.
Assuredly you have a right to be
heard. You have given them help be-
yond price. We may hope that when
you speak, on behalf Of the Supreme
Head of our Church and for the vital
interests of your country, they will
give heed to your words.
Before this disastrous war, by your
wise and upright statesmanship, you
deserved we'll Of your country, and
brought her to the very threshold Of
Home Rule. 1t may be Gods prov
idence that you, Catholic Irishman,
ARE destined to render her, and the
whole world, still greater service by
leading the English Government to
take the first step at the word of the
Pope towards the re-establishment OF
peace on earth, am
Yours faithfully in Xt.,
sE. T.,
WIH Bishop Of Limerick.
Mr.. Redmond's Reply to Bishop Of
LImerick's Letter.
Aughavanagh, Aughrim,
County Wicklow, s.
i August 9. 1915.
Dear Lord Bishop: have received
your Lordship's letter, and I need not
say have read It with the utmost
care. .3s5as ss
4, In reply, l must respectfully say
that, to the best Of my judgment, the
course Of action you suggest to me
!. would not be calculated to promote
the cause Of peace. Nor do ! thinl
that / would be Justified in endeavor
> ing to bring pressure to bear. upon til
Government to enter Into any nego
! tiations for peace q time when a,
German Powers. Who have been u,
laggressors In this war. show no sigl
Of any disposition 70 repair the wronsl
{ they have indicted upoo Bsisium an,
our other allies.
q Very truly yours,
|. q ~ IL n RMNAfnNn III