11 JULY 1903, Page 3

The Irish Land Bill passed through Committee on Wednes- day

night. The discussion has, on the whole, been marked by a spirit of compromise on both sides, and the representatives alike of the landlords and the tenants have refrained from pressing any point too hard. An equal discretion was shown by those who had grave doubts as to the Bill on abstract public grounds. Had they insisted on opposing the Bill, they might, no doubt, have put it in considerable peril; but they refused, and wisely, as we think, to jeopardise the measure. But though all sides showed moderation, this would hardly have availed save for the great Parliamentary tact displayed by Mr. George Wyndham. He managed the almost impossible task of conciliating both sides, and yet being firm on points he deemed essential. We can only hope that when the Bill reaches the Lords it will be steered as cleverly and as successfully. No doubt the landlords in the Upper House will be greatly tempted to use their strength to get the Bill " improved " in their sense, but we trust they will not yield to it. Since there are no tenants' representatives in the Lords, it would not be fair that the compromises agreed on, or at any rate decided on, in the Lower House should be varied.