The public ledger. [volume] (Maysville, Ky.) 1913-1968, 1920-07-12
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, IDLE THOUGHTS ON g
, IRELAND. G
= BY JEROME X. JEROME. g
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BY JEROME X. JEROME.

The plan for the solution of the Irish
problem most favored by the English
upper classes till within a short time
ago was the towing of Ireland into the
middle of the Atlantic Ocean and there
sinking her. In my younger days was
under the impression that the sugges-
ton was intended as a joke, amusing
at first, but growing tiresome by earn
est and unwearied repetition as the
years rooled on. Closer acquaintance
with the political centality of the Eng
lish upper classes leaves me in doubt
as to whether the idea may not have
occurred to them as a serious artena-
tive to the granting of Home Rule One
reflects that the English upper classes
are not guilty of much wit and humur,
and drastic measure for the removal of
the Irish difficulty have always ap-
pealed to their imagination Possibly
the spread of education may account
for this particular scheme having fall
en- into disrepute. 1t is put forward
nowadays by only very old gentlemen
who genearlly clinch the argument by
fiercely waving their umbrellas. The
more intelligent of the Unionist Party
appear to have convinced themselves
of its impracticability Teh later and
much more sensible plan now advo-
Gated is that all Irish irreconcilables,
together with their wives and families
I'm politics, an "irreconcilable' per-
son is a man who will not recocile
himself to our idea of what is good for
him. should be removed from Ire
land and their places be supplied by
English settlers. Oliver Cromwell
tried this method under conditions
much more favourable to success;
though ! doubt If today we are thank
ing him for his contribution to the
Irish problem But the idea is gaining
favour with the English Military Party
and cannot be dismissed as altogether
unimportant Its possibilities are be-
ing discussed in our clubs and draw
ingrooms, and olready there is an
echo in the Press revealing the under
ground currents of savagery that are
everywhere threatening European civ
ilisation. The Press can be eloquent
enough preaching the sacredness OF
constitutional methods to Labour. But
where the interest of the classes are
concerned 1t never hesitates to advo-
cate recourse to Direct Action. The
late Lord Salisbury's plan for twenty
years of resolute government works
all right provided the nation to be gov
erned were not equally resolute never
TO submit. For three hundred years
all the resources of the British Empire
have been strained to the subsection of
ireland. And today this little nation of
four million souls is in more defiant
mood than ever. declaring that there is
only one thing that will content her
the independence of Ireland.
Why should it Brighten us? Why is
England the only country that dare not
live side by side with free people? II
the French were a little people, | sup
pose we should be arguin gthe same
way, declaring that we much conquer
France and hold her down, because
she happens to be only twenty miles
from Dover. We should recall her past
history all her acts of aggression
against us, all her threatenings, her
unfriendly illusions to 'perfdious AL
bion, the centuries of misundertsand-
ing and mutual dislike Can we allow
country as near to us as France to
assert her independence? So 1t would
be urged. What jumping-off ground
for our enemies! Why, her guns from