THE ELECTION IN IRELAND.

Marlborough Express, Volume XLIV, Issue 77, 7 April 1910, Page 6

THE ELECTION IN IRELAND.

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There were some lively scenes in Ireland during the recent election campaign. England was by no moans free from serious disturbances, but most of them took place on the night of the declaration of the poll. In Ireland rowdiness marked the- progress of the campaign. Sticks were freely used in a tight between Redmondites and O'Brienites at Fermoy, the latter chasing their opponents for some distance through the town. During a League meeting at Castletownrocne, a party of O'Brienites came up with a band, and, halting by the meeting, made such a din that speaking was absolutely useless. In the end the exasperated League men charged the O'Brienites, and there was a free fight. West Cork is said to have enjoyed itself thoroughly. Two M.P.'s who went down to assist the League candidates were smothered with lime and eggs (hurled separately, not asa mixture). ' At Ballydehob, one place of meeting, they were followed by a hostile crowd, denied an opportunity to speak, and again pelted with eggs. After a meeting at East Tyrone, a Nationalist crowd marched through a Unionist district and indulged in some promiscuous revolver shooting. It is also said that gentle missiles, such as iron bolts, were thrown through windows. Mr W. Redmond, M.P., lost his temper when howled down by an O'Brienite crowd. "For seven years," he shouted, "I represented Fermanagh, where I had to fight with my life in my hands against Orangemen, and: I tell you there is no nfob in Ireland that can cow me. There is only one way to put me down, and that is to kill nie. If any of you want to tackle me, I am ready for you. I'm not a very big man, but my blood is Wexford blood." It is not stated whether any one accepted the challenge. Apparently party feeling in England, bitter though it is (and it was never so bitter as in the recent campaign), is nothing to the animosity that divides the two sections of the Irish Party.