El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1920-11-17

The Oversees Notebook contains a
variety Of material gathered BY the editor
Of The Herald IN Europe during the var
and after. Excerpts VIII be published in
this column daily during the next several
months. Publication OF the Notes" be-
gan October IS. Today's instaiment con
tinues the Irish notes.
TRELAND'S internal differences might
have been properly described as
chiefly religious during a period Of
several centuries, but not so now. The
political attitude Of England toward
Ireland during hundreds Of years was
strongly marked BY religious persecu-
tiOn directed by protestants against
the Catholics, and 1t followed as a mat
ter of course that Catholic protest in
Ireland took on political and factionai
attributes, and politics and religious
activity became inextricably mixed.
But a hundred years have passed since
persecution ceased and civil rights
were accorded to Catholics.
The memory and tradition Of those
fearful times long past, stiu persist IN
the Irish people. Both sides were
guilty Of frightful excesses and uu-
bridled crime The descendants Of the
factionalists Of those days now write
history to suit Themselves and can see
nothing but good in their own side
and nothing but bad in the other side.
But the degree Of tolerance existing
in Ireland between the Catholic ma
iority and the protestant minority Is
such that today there cannot be found
in the religious factor alone, an eK-
PLANTATION Of the internal diseord OF Of
the friction with England.
Difficulties over lands and rents
date back so years at least. Famine
and hardship, terrible poverty and
landlord oppressioneand injustice, re-
suited in the steady growth Of revolu-
tionary sentiment. Secret societies
and conspHacies became common. It
was not until about 20 years ago that
the British government began TO take
effective steps toward ameliorating
the condition Of the peasants, or ten
ant farmers.
Since then, much legislation has been
enacted, designed to improve the con-
dition Of the masses and solve the
agrarian problems. Great changes
have indeed come about, and It may
now be said that the land question, as
such, has ceased to be a prime cause Of
unrest.
The general sense Of oppression re-
mains, and the carefully nursed hatred
Of England and scientifically prOpa-
gated demand for recognition Of Ire
lands separate nationality and poll
teal Independents. The Irish fatty
say that England has never effected
the conquest OF Ireland, that. Ireland
has never accepted the English rule,
/ and that the present separutist move
ment IS not q new thing but merely
a new phase Of the national protest
which has lived and broken out at
frequent intervals through the cen
turies.
Germany and Holland have solved
the religious problem, yet both had
their long and intense conflicts. It IS
possible for people of different re-
ligious faith to live together in politi-
ca union and IN comparative harmony.
In laws and education those countries
have shown how even the bitterest re-
hgious differences may be composed Tor
political, social and economic pur-
poses, though liberty Of conscience and
worship may be reserved Fmdamen-
tally. IN these two countries Of Refor-
nation activity and sect hostility there
were more reasons for permanent re-
ligious conflict than there are in Ire
land, but they have found ways 70
maintain civil peace. So IN England,
the various seets live in outward peace
one with another, and credal differ
ences are not now dominant political
factors. It is a mistake 70 imagine
that Ireland's troubles at this time are
primarily religious, though that factor
has a bearing.
The problem has some Of the aspects
Of the old fashioned family and clan
feuds. II has come TO this, that men
and groups hate one another without
knowing clearly why they hate; that
they assal and Kill instinctively rather
than for any vel defined purpose
capable Of being sustained by argument
or considerations Of abstract justice;
that "reprisals' take on the attributes
Of savagery and indicate a reversion TO
prehistoric types before there was any
thing Of what we call civilization
The English assert their assumptive
authority in WAYS that are hateful and
unjust. There has never been any as
similation. England has only the re-
hottest hold on Ireland, enforced, not
7 earned. The Irish do not thank Eng
land for any contribution England may
imagine she has made to Irelands up
lift. The Irish, It must be said for
them, have never had ambitions to IN
wade and conquer other parts or to
impose Irish ideas OF ways Of life upon
others. Their attitude through the
centuries has been defensive.
Consider the Irish racial and nat
ional spirit of patriotism, limited to
the island the size Of Indiana, and as
hostile to the remainder Of the little
kingdom, and to the empire, as Greeks
toward Turks. Consider the long line
Of Irish national patriots and states
men. now enshrined in the hearts Of
the Irish as martyrs, so fervent were
they, and so answering IN following
the only guide. they knew. Consider
the pride, even in death, for no per-
sonal and private gain but for a cause
which they held dear. Many Of these
men cannot be accused Of coYeting
power merely for the sake Of power.
Many were true leaders and apostles,
faithful to an idea. The heart leaps,
the spirit takes fire, as one reads OF
them. The human race proudly cher
ishes their memory.
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