The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1916-09-05
MAIN TROUBLE IN
IRISH PROBLEM is
CHURCH QUESTION
Home Rule Mixup SOlvable,
Says Arthur Lynch.
Fear Persecution of PrOtestants
If Nation Is Established.
PRIEST MAY ENTER POLITICS
But Emblem of Church Should
Have No influence.
British Government Has Mag
nified 'Irritating Affairs"
Fear Persecution of PrOtestants
If Nation Is Established.
PRIEST MAY ENTER POLITICS
But Emblem of Church Should
Have No Influence.
British Government Has Mag
nified "Irritating Affairs"
BY DIR. ARTHUR LYNCH. NJ. p


London. Sept. 5.-The Irish problem
can be solved. But the prohlera is. I
believe. more intricate and difficult
than the Irish politicians have eener-
ally supposed and though at times
we have had the confident assertions
OF the leaders that the solution has
been found and the nationalists de-
nand is to be satisfied yet the fact
that these assertions have been made
at various intervals during the last
twenty or thirty years shows the hopes
were illusory. They have always cor
responded less to the reality than to
the sentiments or aspira lions. or. per
haps. even at times to the bluff of the
leaders.
Let us look at the problem in the
face not minimizing or disreec riding
the difficulties as too often has been
the case. but seeing everything in its
proper setting and regarding all with
- cool judgment Evidently we can OBJ
tain home rule. or autonomy Of any
kind only either by successful Ievo-
luton or by consent of the British
parlia
Let US proceed We have our Irish
members in good force, sas SO il. an
assembly of $40 and we must obtain
substa ntial ma jority in that assembly.
Now, if any suggestion. as, for in
stance. in certain circles where reH-
Gious questions are too prominent. that
the pith of the nationalist idea real
l.. renewal of the old religious f~uds
between the north and south ana Il re-
Ners3l of the verdict of the battle of
William of Orange. then again 1 say
VIC would have to resort to the old i'm
possibility. namely. successful physi-
cal force. and in that case. only one
thing would be worse than defeat and
that would be victory.
Religion Main Question.
Let us get rid once for all of the
wicked idea that great national
movement is to be used for Cutting
revenge in the name of religion. Yet
the religious question is really the
main difficulty. My own impression
j. that the center of all the trouble is
the fear that exists that if national
Isl regime were esta blished, the
Protestants might be prosecuted. as
sums say. or. if that would be too
ttOng in the opinion of most reason
a Ie men. that they would not have
fur play in the community and that
they would be placed at a disadvan-
tagc on account of their religion
Now. if such fear were justified.
would be inclined to draw out of the
home rule movement forever instead
of advocating. as l now proceed to do
a larger and more grandiose measure
of self government than yet has been
proposed by any statesman.
But. first of ALL it is we nationalists
surfing the world that home rule is not
to be home rule. Some little time ago
in my book, 'Ireland's Vital Hour I
stated that while there was no objec-
ton to a priest entering politics, yet
in politics he should be treated as any
other citizen, and not allowed to use
undue influence by flinging into the
scale the emblem of his sacred office.
This doctrine drew upon me not only
unmeasured abuse. but something like
a mobilization of clerical forces
against the book and myself.
If such movement were successful.
or If it faithfully represented the in
tellect and character of the Irish peo-
pie a the present time. I would say
that not only is home rule doomed
but it is just that it should be doomed.
Get Rid of Martial Law.
Having at length. then treasured the
Ulster people on the score of religion.
my next suggestion would be that the
final reconciliation of the avera ge
Ulster Irishman with his fellow citi-
zen in the south or west must be
brought about by some such means as
the labor party employs. It is only by
virtue of the existence of religious
prejudices and rancors such as form
the base of life in Ireland that men
Ike Lord Londonderry and S:r Ed
ward Carson could ever be look Ted
upon as leaders of the people even in
Belfast
In the meantime. we must get rid