Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1932-03-20
BY WILLIAM A. MILLEN.

tainty, for the future political high
way is indeed Shrouded in doubt
with De Valera forming new gov
eminent; the radical Sim Fem C"Our-
selves Alone'D party demanding tota
separation from Britain, and William 7
Cosgrave stepping down from the driv-
ers seat, after maintaining his reputa-
ton as the premier to hold power long,
eft in all postwar Europe. But, looking
back over 10 years of the Irish Free
State, one is convinced that the decade
the treaty setting up the new order has
been in force has witnessed the Dublin
government faring well. even in the face
of worldwide discomfort and discour-
zgement.
The unexpected has come to be an
ticipated in Irish politics. Back in an
other generation, bonfireS blazed on
the heathery hilltops to celebrate the
passage of Gladstone's home rule meas
ure. But now, the Victorian coat has
grown all to skinny for Celtic legisla-
tive shoulders and the Irish Free State
government far .outstrips the fondest
hopes Of John Redmond and his fellows.
Perplexing Puzzles.
Now. on the threshold of new things,
it looks to many as If the Free State OF
II WOuVl UtCOIIlC ODSOlClC al OAAAo
quickly changing world of finance, OF
economics. Of politics. There is the
perplexing puzzle of two governments
in a country of little over 100000 in
an area of some $4,000 square miles.
There is the threat of British tariff
retaliation on Irish goods if De Valera
and the ultra-extremists try any unor-
thodox move in the political realm.
There is the grave problem of getting
enough work for the thousands kept en-
forcedly at home by the anti-immigra-
ton walls raised by other lands that
cannot even keep their own busy. There
is the crux of the oath to Britain's
monarch to be solved to the satisfaction
of the decorate of Erin.
Ireland has her problems a-plenty to
null over, as she lifts her glasses high
and INDUCES in that most antf-Vol-
steadian of observances-"d drowning the
shamrock"
But Eamonn de Valera and King
George v have one thing in common,
come what differences there may.
Both are high officials of the National
University Of Ireland. His majesty the
King is visitor to the university and
De Valera is chancellor. And this seems
fitting, because Ireland spends much
money on education. With De Valera
taking over direction of Irish govern
mental affairs, the people viii come to
learn that he holds the degrees of
bachelor of arts, bachelor of science,
a diploma in education for his prowess
in teaching mathematics in the days
before politics became a passion with
him; is a doctor of laws, as well as
being a doctor of philosophy.
In Ireland today, education involves q
big share of current expense. This, old
age pensions and the national defense
are the three major items in the Irish
budget, although education absorbs
nearly as much of the public funds as
the two others combined.
Faulty Notions DispeIIed.
Irelands love of literature, of art, OF
music, of song has given rise to the
popular belief that the Irish are a
dreamy, impractical lot, as general
rule An examination of the fiscal con-
dition of the Irish Free State should
speedily dispel any such faulty notion.
Irish savings certificates are an index
of the people. - To Gate the investors
have purchased grand total Of $52,-
500 900 worth Of these securities. The
nations public debt Is comparatively
small Taxes are well below those Of
Britain and the country's national
credit is on a high plane. The Free
States annual revenue approximates
1921 100000 and her expenses are
nearly $2.000,0 900 above this sum. This
discrepancy is explained by the econo-
mists as being due to the necessary
outlay for improvements, for which
money will not have to be expended
again.
The Irish Free State is predominantly
agricultural, and it is an anomaly of
Gaelic politics that the Irish Labor
party does not draw its principal
strength from urban Dublin. Cosgrave
for these many years has led the Gu
mann ma n-Gaedheal, the Celtic name
for the party known as THE Company
of the Gael" De Valsra's organization
is labeled with the significant party
title Fianna Fail ("The Party of Des-
tiny'D.
Cosgrave and De Valera faced hostile
British guns together back in the old
days of 1916. when both were impris-
oned as leaders In the Easter uprising.
Both narrowly escaped the fate Of their
Is fellows, executed by the London gov
eminent for their part in the revolt.
Up to the time of the signing Of the
treaty setting up the Irish Free State
both worked tireleSsly for the common
cause These latter years have wit
messed a veritable Transformation in
these erstwhile comrades-in-arms.
Change Places in Dali.
The tomorrow of Irish politics will
see them change places in that Dali
Eireann, which meets in that old Lem
ster House, long reputed to be the
model that James Hoban took when
he made the plans for the White House
in Washington. Previously, Cosgrave
led the government and De Valera was
opposition chieftain, and now the half
time whistle has sounded and they
shift sides. The Irish electorate is
watching closely for De Valera to make
his first political touchdown.
Willy politician that he is, for he
made most favorable impression upon
his visit to Washington a few years
ago, Cosgrave in the past decade has
attempted to leave the opposition with
as little to criticize as possible. Even
his most cauStic opponents had short
shrift for criticiZing his move in adopt
ing the green white and orange banner
of the Easter uprising patriots as the
Official flag of the New Ireland In the
cause of reviying Gaelic, the ancient
tongt.2 of the sires, he has been in the
forefront. For the Nations national
anthem, he took another que from his
erstwhile fellow soldiers and created
THE Soldiers Song" as the stirring
strain to make patriots hearts beat
faster, although little more than a
decade back, 1t was high treason
against the British crown to sing it.
Cosgrave has shown that he possesses
real courage. He could pass public
safety bill in the face OF dire threats
and clap his enemies into jail. He
could go about the country in danger
of assassination in the grim days of
guerilla warfare and risk the fate of
Michael Collins, who died because of a
sniper's bullet He could insist upon
unpopular measures and force retrench-
ment severe.
High Taxes Fought
The Republican forces say that tax
alton in the Free State is too high.
England looks with suspicious eye upon
De Valera, many deemlng him a dan
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