Abstract

The Week

This article presents information on various political developments in several countries. John Redmond's death comes as a kind of accentuation of the Irish tragedy. As head of the Nationalist party, he had seen his authority undermined and his prestige lessened, so that he was visibly in a losing fight. Family afflictions no doubt added much to his sense of dejection and defeat. He will be remembered as an able Parliamentary leader, who took up the thankless task of trying to weld together a party torn asunder. His hold upon his followers was gradually strengthened, and he became the acknowledged representative of a majority of the Irish people. But the war and Sinn Fein played havoc with his plans. U.S. President Woodrow Wilson, without prejudging the general question of universal military training, has given to Chairman of the House Military Affairs Committee, two convincing reasons why no such legislation should be enacted at the present time, as is being urged by the National Security League and other similar organizations. He points out, that all available officers are now vitally needed for instruction in the new draft army.