The Nationalist situation in Ireland has developed con- siderably since
our last issue. The Roman Catholic hierarchy, by meetings of priests and letters from Cardinal Logue and Archbishop Walsh, have openly charged the Parliamentary party with betrayal of the spiritual interests of their country- men. Archbishop Walsh, in particular, expresses resentment against Mr. Redmond's view that the presence or absence of the Irish Members at Westminster could make no difference ; and declares that "each Member is now individually re- sponsible for his action in this grave matter." The Freeman's Journal, we may note, has begun to waver in its support of Mr. Redmond and Mr. O'Brien, admitting that the abstention policy has "caused doubt and dissatisfaction to many who have been hitherto the most influential supporters of the party." This attitude of the Freeman is probably significant of further con- cessions. Mr. Redmond is much too cautious a man to adopt the anti-clerical attitude which precipitated the fall of his former chief. Meantime Mr. Healy has been adding to his collection of caustic epigrams. He has said that Mr. William O'Brien, "politically speaking, seldom seems to have a lucid interval."
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