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Show THE ARREST OF IRISH LEADER'. The surprise at the unexpected arrest of the Irish leaders, a full telegraphic account of which lirst appeared in Tub Tim eh, is probably not greater in Ireland Ire-land than it is in this country. When Balfour went into ollico on tho wave of a coalition victory over the Liberals it was expected that ho would pursue a relentless policy against Ireland, and ho did. Equipped with special legislation legisla-tion passed for that purpose, and an almost absolute authority backed by spies and constabulary, he soon reduced the country to a condition of sullen (submission, which ho declared in the commons to be the extinction of agrarian agra-rian crimes. This accomplished, ho prepared the land bill for tho government govern-ment which, though opposed by Mr. Parnell, appeared to many liko a step in tho direction of a compromise- and an earnest effort to rule Ireland by less drastic means than he had hitherto employed. em-ployed. In view of this his recent policy, and not became a high handed outrage might not be expected at any timo of the Irish secretary, the wholesale whole-sale arrests yesterday, caused a pro-fount1 pro-fount1 sensation and indignation. Certainly tho press of the United htatea is thoroughly informed on the political situation of Ireland, and yet it was not aware that any unusual commotion, com-motion, except that caused by the failure fail-ure of the potato crop nnd the resultant fear of a famine, was going on justify. nig mo ciiarge ot treason against a number of tho loading men of tho country. coun-try. , The London News says, "Balfour has committed an act of stupendous folly for which it is difficult to assign n rational motive." In this sentiment tho American people will generally join excepting that they will not place upon Halfour tho solo responsibility. While he doubtless suggested the step, it is impossible to believe that in a matter so momentous and grave ho did not advise with his nnclo and cabinet. A good many people will also wonder what is the matter with Parnell. |