New-York tribune., 1916-05-28
Kaiser, Through Sim Fein
Helps Settles Irish Issue
GERMANY Has Defeated Its Own Ends and Rendered
Priceless Service to Britain by Its Action
Declares Carvin
By J. L. CARVlN.
Copyright las-Th, Tribune ASIA.

London. May %. Much Of 'he inter
minsble discourse on Bulgaria and Ru-
mania in relation TO the world war
might have been more proftably de-
voted TO ireland. After the mad futl-
ity of the Sim Fein rising there are
urgent efforts behind the scenes 10
wrest good from i'll. The results may
be historic. Reconciling action is the
more imperative, because the clumsy
method of the military in carrying OUT
justified punishment went FAR TO spoll
the moral situation and eXasperated
feeling only among Nationshsts'
who were as far as possible from sym
pathizing with the rebels, but even
among wise Unionists.
We are all driven the more to seek
for the soul of goodness IN th'hgs
evil. To turn German effort against
itself as decisively in Ireland as III
South Africa would be triumph oil
strong and resourceful statesmansh'p'
Is there any reason why 1t should not
be done? venture to think no''
though well aware that any man Is
fool who allows himself to be prema-
,urely sanguine about any pnase oI 'he
Irish question. But, after all, 1T VIII
be settled some day, and even IN 'ne
last few decades time has done won
ders.
Germany Aiding Britain.
There IS profound truth in two para
doxes. Years ago, when Nllilsm
went to Tancier, forced the overthrow
of NJ. Delcasse and tried in vain to use
the Moroccan question as means oi
shattering King Edwards policy vent
ured 10 say in phrase which had
some currency that the Kaiser was ohiy
riveting the entente cordlale by nam
merinc at it. So Germany, by supply
ing powerful external pressure to the
ill-compacted mass of our domlnlons'
is doing more than we could ior OUT
selves to make and not to break the
British Empire.
Is the third paradox to be added IL
the enemy to render us, by means oi
the world war. the last priceless ser
vice of compelling a peaceful settle
ment of the Irish question? Germany
may do even that Since the violation
of Belgium, the sinking OF the Lusl-
tania and the idea Of breaking the MI
itary spirit of England by Zeppelin
raids, we can hardly limit the power OF
German psychology TO defeat its own
ends.
"Pigging It. in Ireland.
Sir Horace Plunkett was once dis
cussing the old issues Of hope, and
despair with Lord Randolph Church
i'll when the latter was near tte
end of his tragedy. They dined
together at a club in Piccadilly and
| heard. at the same table, but long
afterward, a story which has possibly
not been published before. Lord Ran
dolph was at first oppressed with the
dulness then crushing out that once
brilliant spirit, but rallied over the
soup.
ii tell you, Plunkett," he said, "the
Irish question is insoluble." Sir Hor-
ace replied, "Then what do you sav,
Randolph, to those of US who mean 70
live and work in Ireland, whether the
question is insoluble or not" Ran.
dolph lifted his head and answered
with one Of his last flashes of the old
humor, "Well, you must just pig it,"
For most who have since taken any
prominent part in the Irish question,
TO matter on which side. that phrase
has sometimes been helpful when all
other philosophy has failed. If ever
there was an apostle of peace and hsr-
mony since ST. Patrick il has been Sir
Horace Plunkett himself. According
~, extreme Nationalists and Unionists
and Official Liberals combined TO strew
thorns in his path.
What Plugging" Accomplished.
Yet through sheer perseverance in
I pigging it from stage to stage, miracles
were wrought, though nobody was sat
| isfed. Local government was granted
Mud cabins disappeared Educatio
/ was steadily extended. The increasing
/ land war which had racked the countS
/ with misery and stained it with blood
1 for generations was settled by agree
ment, with the aid of handsome bonus
on conciliation provided by the British
! Treasury Land purchase effected ono
/ OF the most remarkable constructive
/ revolutions in economic history. Olt
/ age pensions were added No civilized
country in our time has. perhaps
! changed so much as Ireland, or NOR,
/ for the better. Yet the way was only
| cleared for the last task. certain to be
harder and more dangerous than al
the rest together.
The Home Rule Crisis.
When Hercules had cleansed the Az.
| gean Stable and brought back the gold
en- apples. he found il hard life being
a herd. but there was still Cerberus 10
/ carry kicking out of Hades quarter
/ of a century after Gladstone had con.
+ vulsed politics by his first Home Rule
| bill that controversy came TO. its logica
crisis al last.
The question had been almost in
allegiance in Great Britain. The Lib
erals had got back to power on free
trade. With the new democratic up
/ heavsl came fierce constitutional strug.
giles. The veto of the House of Lords
was abOlished In tho House Of Coro.