Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1928-10-14
IRELAND GOES
SINGER STATES
Homeland At Last in
Tide of POST War
Progress, John Nc
Cormick Asserts

DUBLIN. Oct. 13.-tPt-Ireland
has been caught by the postwar tide
of progress and is moving forward
rapidly into new fields of advance
ment.
In the first place the tenant farm
err is almost a thing Of the past
He has become a peasant proprietor.
"A scheme Of long-term' state advances
nc a low rate Of interest has enabled
him to buy out the landlords interest
in his holding and to secure himself
in the enjoyment of the fruits of his
toll. Uneconomic farms are being
converted into economic units by the
state purchase Of u~ntenanted land
and its division among the smaller
rolders under a similar scheme.
Right through the country y
finds the results Of this change.
Better dwellings, improved farm
buildings, neat gardens, flower beds,
fruit orchards all bear testimony
to the new sense of security and
proprietorship. The standard of COM
fort is much higher than it was TWEEN
ty years ago. Like the farmers IN
the United States and in almost every
country in the world the Irish farmer
has had his lean years since the war.
But improved methods of production
and marketing have been introduced
and are now bearing fruit.
Progress in All Lines
Socially, economically and indus
trially there has been marked prog
ress. The educational standard has
been steadily on the upgrade; attend
ance nj school between the ages of
Z TO IA is now compulsory; revised
schemes of secondary and technical
education are being put n opera
ton. Social services, the relief Of
the sick poor. the provision of work
ing-class dwellings. the improvement
of roads are all receiving constant at
tention.
Many new factories have rome into
existence assisted by protective
tariffs on selected commodities. The
Shannon Hydro : Electric scheme
which will produce 1853 million units
Of light and power per annum is
nearing completion. When this cur
rent begins to flow as It will, ! am
given 10 understand, in about 10
months. its effect upon industrial
development will be far reaching.
Trade is growing; exports are eX-
DdNQlnE. VIC ndFE d hotk way ~
travel before we have exhausted the
possibilities Of further progress but
| am satisfied we are on the right
road. and this is the all-important
consideration.
Great COloniZers
When you speak of emigration IL
must be remembered that the Irish
have ever been a national Of colo
mixers. Since the down Of history
the spirit of adventure has urged
the Gael TO seek his fortunes afar.
That spirit Of adventure has not
died. Every year a large number
Of Irish boys and girls leave their
native shores, some for England
and the Continent. many for Amer
lea and Australia but the great ma
jority are attracted to the United
States. Industrial progress has not
vet reached the stage in Ireland
when the opportunities for a sue
c~essful career at home are suffi-
GENTLY numerous to cater to all.
IL will take time to arrive at that
stage. Even then there will, / feel
certain, still be a number whose
love OF adventure will urge them
to seek the wider spaces Of the new
world.
Much Of the emigration Of today
Il no doubt due 10 economic causes
which cannot be altered in a day
or in a year. but il is quite clear
that economic causes are not the
sole factor. | know numbers placed
in fairly comfortable circumstances
at home who have been unable to
withstand the call Of the west. Old
friends. near kinsmen, new pors-
pects beckon and they 90. IL is
a proof Of the ~virility Of the race.
The number Of Irish-born Amer
leans who revisit the land Of their
birth is growing from year TO year.
Many return TO stay; they bay homes
and settle down. Others come from
time to time TO revisit the scenes OF
their youth and to renew old ac-
duaintanceships; many there are who
make an annual pilgrimage In recent
years the number Of Americans who
come in the summer to see our
beauty spots has increased with great
rapiditV.