The Cause of the Trouble

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXXI, Issue 14, 2 April 1903, Page 10

The Cause of the Trouble

The revocation of the Coercion proclamation in Ireland and tho release of a number of Coercion prisoners aro (says tho London ' Morning- Leader ') in the opinion of some, not a sudden change of policy, but the natural sequel to the appointment of Sir Anthony McDonnell as Under Secretary in Dublin Castle The following story, which, if not ahsolutelv true, is certainly, sa\ s a correspondent, 'ben trovato,' and is, therefore, of peculiar inteiest at tho present time . Recently Sir Anthony was con\etsmg with Lord Ashhourno. tho Irish Lord Chancellor The talk turned round to Ireland ' To you know what my opinion is 9 ' said the Tjnder Secretary. ' No ' ' queried Ihe Lord Chancellor 'I think,' .said ho, ' that throefourths of tho Iri^h trouble is duo to officialism ' Lord Ahhbourne, who is at once the head and iei Bonification of Irish oflicialism. was almost speechless at this daring heresy 'It's o\t l aordinarv that you should say that to mo.' gasped his Lordship " Not at all,' said Sir Anthony, 'I ha\e said it to a bigger man than you ' This to Lord Ashhourno, seemed the climax of absurdity 1 Vho might tho bigger than 1 bo 9' said his lordship, with an incredulous smile. ' The King,' was the retort Further discussion on tho subject immediately ceased