Hokitika Guardian & Evening Star SATURDAY, APRIL 3rd., 1920. THE WEEK.

Hokitika Guardian, 3 April 1920, Page 2

Hokitika Guardian & Evening Star SATURDAY, APRIL 3rd., 1920. THE WEEK.

Oi’i'OitTUNEJ.Y, remarks a reviewer with the publication of the text of the new Homer Rule Bill and the renewed marks of serious unrest in Ireland, have appeared several hooks dealing with various aspects of the Irish question. In “Th© Irish Issue” Mr Shane Leslie is concerned chiefly with its reactions on American opinion. He points out that for upwards of a century Ireland has been the chief obstacle to friendship between Britain and America. If “Ireland is the spectre of the British Empire” sometimes she seems .“to fill the position of America’s family ghost as well.” A large proportion of the emigrants from Ireland to America have been vigorous propagandists with long memories- and fluent tongues. It is difficult to realise the extent of their influence unless we remember that there was nothing to counter-balance it; the Nationalists had the field to themselves ; there was no one to put the case for the other side, as there was in Australia and Other dominions. “The play and coun-ter-play of Irish sentiment in American politics became more and inure marked,” each President had to take if into account, and frequently found it embarrassing; its pressure often forced the hand of the Government. Moreover, it found an alliance in the existing antiBritish feeling. Many who were really quite indifferent to Ireland’s grievances as such hud been tnugbt from their schooldays onwards to regard Britain as their hereditary foe, their traditional oppressor. These automatically extended their sympathies to any enemies of England, whether in Ireland or the Boer Republics, without in the least concerning themselves about the merits of the dispute. To such a degree was judgment warped by antagonism that even such acts of God as flood and famine were attributed to the sinister machinations of tlie British.

Although Mr Leslie is an ardent Home fliijep Jie is anxious to be fair. If lie sometimes adapts the role of Crown proseen tor he does nof, f.urget that, it is no part of a Crown prostfcujtop’s d.yty to burke th'e facts telling in favour of the defendant. Occasionally his prejudices peep out ns where he rebukes Britain for ‘forcing slavery on the colonies,’'* ignoring the obvious" reply that after America became independent she retained that institution for three-quarters of it But- lie can take broader views than iiiyiiv whose sense of perspective is clouded by their animosity to England. This is tioticcahje ip the chapter entitled “The Treason of .the Redmonds.” "When on the outbreak .of war John Redmond promised Ireland’s aid to Britain without condition or reserve, he signed hjs own political death warrant. The Irish .charged him with black treachery to their cause. •“'J’he root of the accusation is that John Redmond made a colossal blunder in offering the Irish sword without stopping to take counsel of his people first, and without insisting on the immediate delivery of Home Rule on its tip. As a nationalist politician fifis fit),lyre must seem lamentable to all loyerp of a close deal. He had a wonderful chniy.g fo

bargain. England’s fierce and sudden need was Ireland’s miraculous opportunity.” But he did not bargain ; lie was utterly discredited among his former followers, who did not, redeem his promise. Every Englishman, of course, is convinced that he chose the nobler path ; .Mr Leslie asks whether Ireland will not njtso ,in the long run conn* to approve of liis action. There are weightier considerations thyii those of political expediency. The war li.in proved how strong and permanent is the impiilso provided by moral principle and selfsacrifice. Mr Leslie's considered verdict is “The higher that one appraises the ethics of the Allies, the higher one must rate Redmond.”

Mr Shane Leslie represents the typically Trisli-Am-eriea.il point of view; whether or no one shares ic, it certainly deserves attention. The same can be said of “Irish Impressions”, By Mr G. K. Chesterton, who speaks for the Home Ruler of tin mixed English blood. The hook is characteristically, even excessively, Cliestertonian. Mr Chesterton is given more and more to paradox and intellectual gymnastics; he delights more and more in the pyro-tcchnical display he provides. Indeed he sometimes leaves the impression that he is

more interested in his own dialectical ingenuity than in the subject matter of the case he is arguing. Still, in his diagnosis of Ireland’s trouble there is much shrewd observation and acute deduction. For the tone of the book the circumstances in which it was written may have been responsible. Mr Chesterton went to Ireland in 19i8 to entourage recruiting. He may have considered that his mission could best be accomplished not by argument but by pleading. His attitude is that of a suppliant on behalf of Britain’; “pecenvimus” is his constant cry. He proceeds on the assumption (which manywili not admit) that the suspension of Home Rule in 1914 was a gross bread of faith and a shocking blunder to boot he asks the Irish to forget it out oi

their generosity and remember their own obligations. However, he does not wholly acquit- Ireland of error. The (Faster Rising was also “a black and insane blunder. It was not because it involved the Irish in a military defeat; it was because .it lost the Irish a great •controversial victory. The rebel deliberately let the tryrant ,out of a trap.” Had Ireland remained >oyal she would have proved England wrong; but, as it was, through the advice of her false-connsellors the rebels found them selves fighting against England as th: virtual allies of Germany, who wa; bent on the destruction of European

berty. , lomk will think that Mr Chesterton s little apt to overdo the role of pendent. After all the policemen who are hot down from behind hedges, the farners who have their homes burned over heir and their cattle mutilated by Sinn feiners, might reasonably argue that hey are sinned against rather than ,inning. This is hardly the place to liscuss the merits of the question, but here is one point which many Home Unlers including both Mr Leslie and Mr Chesterton overlook. They speak is if Home Rule was an issue’ simply ind solely between the Nation and Britain, that the latter, front caprice or tyranny, obstinately refuses the request of a united Irish people. 'Tins entirely ignores the vital factor in tlie situation, which is Ulster. If Home Rule were a naked issue between Britain and the Nationalists it would have been granted long ago. But the difficulty has lain in the -hitter opposition of a large body of Irishmen whose opinion Britain c annot disregard and whose interest Britain cannot sacrifice, without incurring the charge of trea-

chery, The reader of “John Redmond’s Last Years” by Stephen Gwynn, cannot fail to he struck by the tragedy of its subject’s creer. A constitutional Nationalist, he fought for Ireland’s cause through thick and thin. He almost saw his dreams fulfilled when the warchanged the political scene. Mr Shane Leslie’s views on his*action in 1914 have already been quoted its immediate consequence was that the leader who had so long and faithfully served Ireland lost tlie confidence of his conn trymen. John Redmond realised this; he knew that never again would the Irish trust him, and the knowledge without doubt contributed to his death. Mr Gwynn does not pretend that John Redmond was infallible Being human he made mistakes. But his patriotism arid his magnanimity were s unquestionable, and Mr * Gwynn is confident •that history will recognise his greatness. Meantime Ireland’s condition grows more and more appalling. r lhe country lacks wise counsellors like John Redmond whose national worth has been so well apprised in the foregoing by the writers and the reviewer. As Mr Justice O’Conner plainly hinted in his warning to his fellow countrymen last week, Ireland, or rather important malcontent factions of it. is being badly

led, find innocent lives nre being rutnlessly sacrificed in such a way ns to to the true cause of Ireland the greatest harm. • The events will mean an estrangement of public opinion which it will take years to enlist again, and postpones rather than hastens the day which was thought to be so near, which would witness the commencement of a new era of political peace and permanent prosperity' for Ireland.

•Tup <Jecision of the Admiralty to name a warship O.tald Jhas, says a Christchurch paper, a triple significance. In the first place it perpetuates the memory of a gallant fight against groat odds which is without parallel even in the glorious annals of the Royal Navy. It iis a richly merited compliment to the British Merchant Servcie, and finallv, it is a compliment to New Zealand, which gave the name to the New Zea-

land Shipping Company’s steamer whose great fight earned for her commander, Lieutenant Archibald Bissit Smith, It.N.R., a posthumous Victoria Cross- The name was first borpe hy a sailing ship, which was noted for hei smart passage between New Zealand and London years ago. We believe no are right in saying that the clipper ; ship Otaki once sailed from New Zealand to the English Channel, via Capo Horn, in just over nine weeks. At about. 2,30 p.m. on March 10th., 191 t, the steamer Otaki, whose sole arma-

ment consisted of one 4.Ti11, gun, sighted the disguised German raider Moo we, which was armed with four 5.9 in. one 4.1 in. and two 22-poundcr gups, and two torpedo tubes. The Moew.e ordered the Otaki to stop, but Lieutenant Smith refused to do so, and a d'ief ensued at ranges of from 1900 to 2000 yards, and lasted for twenty minutes. During this action the Otalu scored several hits on the Mocwe, causing considerable damage and starting a fire that lasted for three days. Tile Otaki herself sustaned several casualties, received milch damage from her opponent's o-un-firo, and was heavily on fire. Lien*."Smith therefore gave orders for the boats to he lowered .to allow bis crew to be rescued. He remained m his ship and went down wth her when she sank with the British colours still flying, after wliat was described in all endin' account, as “a. duel as gallant as naval history can relate.” A brass plate in the new Otaki which ’is due m Lyttelton shortly, commemorates the brave end of her forbear.

Tins week witnessed the general programme for the reception and entertainment of II .R .M • the Prince of Wales being put into formal order. Inc district is being specially honoured, and Hokitika will have the, opportunity ot excelling itself in tho matter of liospi-

tality, not alone to its Royal guest, but also to the many distinguished personages who constitute the immediate staff and suite. " Likewise there will he four Ministers of the Crown with us, so for once in a way Westland cannot claim to he the Cinderella of the Provinces. In addition to preparing for the advent of the august guests, it will be necessary for the townspeople to arrange also for an invasion by their country cousins, who will assist to swell jthe assemblage and join in the hearty and loyal greeting to be extended to the noble visitor. Chief of all the townspeople will be expected to make the visiting chldren welcome and give them a good time. They will see, and we

Hope hear tneir future JXmg, tor as tlie future men and women fo 'Westland, they will in the ordinary course of . events he loyal subjects of the reigning Monarch. The children deserve to have the coming event impressed on their minds, and the programme published indicates that the rising generation will he kept in the forefront. The soldiers, too, are not going to be overlooked. In the Prince they will have a fine fellow “Digger,” and the fact that H.R.H. will specially present decorations to four local soldiers will make the occasion specially memorable and important. Altogether there are great times ahead, and it would appear that the townspeople are going to rise

splendidly to the oceason. The weeks have flown by quickly since the Christmas and New Year holidays, and here we are at Easter Eve. Easter is not the extended holiday which the people make of tlie end of the year in

the long summer days. Still, it marks a special lesson, and with its special gatherings has its votaries. The pro-... sent is not any exception to the forerunners, and holidays will be kept as usual. Since Christmas and New Year passed the district has been settling down to greater industrial activity. More labor has been available, and there has been greater production in the main avenues of employment. When Easter passes we will enter on the long term of the year, and there are signs that there will be greater progress still Fresh industrial enterprises are springing up, and now that there is some assurance that the Government are setting about the completion of the Otira tunnel with some determination to finish the great work within a more reasonable time, it is not unlikely* that revivals will take place in other parts of the district, > which generally will witness a more healthy and prospering condition of affairs. The district has latent resources of a varied nature, and if the people would but take, their courage in both hands and help to push forward some of the large projects^which are possible with the right spirit of co-operation, ere another Easter conies round, the town and district will have a very different aspect. The hour ot opportunity is striking, let the people move unitedly with the tunes.