The New Irish Land Bill

The new Irish land bill promises to be a great boon to that long oppressed country. For generations Ireland has groaned under a system of land tenure which has driven tens of thousands of Irishmen out of their native country. The land of the country is largely held by absentee landlords, who have cared little or nothing for their tenants except to wring from them the last cent possible for rents. These landlords live in London or on the continent and being in practically every sense foreigners, have had no patriotic interest in Ireland's welfare. Irish tenant farmers have had to receive assistance from their relatives and friends in America and other parts of the world in order to live and make any improvements on their land holdings. But as soon as any improvements were made on their lands the landlords have proceeded to take practically the entire benefit thereof in increased rents. The bill introduced in the house of commons on the 25th by Irish Secretary Wyndham provides for the elimination of this obnoxious landlord system and offers a plan whereby the tenant farmers may become the owners of their farms. The bill proposes an out and out gift of sixty millions of dollars to help the tenant farmers in the purchase of their holdings. It is a great measure of justice and liberality and if successfully carried through parliament is undoubtedly destined to lead to vastly improved conditions in Ireland and to bring the Irish people up to a more loyal support of the English government. It will likewise cause the writing of the name of Secretary Wyndham high up in the list of great English statesmen.