y News_ (the Government organ) when
cattle-driving was at its height said that thanks to the excellent
government of Mr. Birrell cattle-driving now had practically become
extinct even in those few parts of the country in which it had
existed; and in July Mr. Birrell, addressing a political meeting at
Port Sunlight, said that:--

"They were led to believe that the state of Ireland was of
an appalling character, that crime predominated, and that
lawlessness almost universally prevailed. All he could say was
that a more cheerful land was nowhere to be found."

In 1909 matters became somewhat quieter, chiefly because Mr. Birrell
promised to introduce a Land Bill by which the cattle-drivers hoped to
get all they wanted. Hence their leaders advised them to "give Birrell
a chance," but Mr. Redmond warned the Government that if they did not
carry out their pledge, they would speedily find Ireland ungovernable.
In February 1909, Lord Crewe, speaking for the Government in the House
of Lords, made the remarkable statement:--

"As regards intimidation, I have always shared the view that
well-organized intimidation cannot be checked by law. I know
no method of checking it."

If this is not an admission that the Government had failed in their
duty, it is hard to say what is. The result of their line of action
will be seen by the following table, which has been taken from various
returns which the Ulster members, by repeated questions in Parliament
at last succeeded in forcing Mr. Birrell to make public:--

Agrarian outrages 1906 234
" " 1907 372
" " 1908 576
Cattle-drives 1905 Nil
" " 1907-8 513
" " 1908-9 622
" " 1908 219
Cattle maiming, mutilating, etc. 1907 142
Persons boycotted 1907 196
" " 1908 270
" " 1909 335
Cost of extra police 1908 L47,000

1911.

Agrarian outrages 581
Malicious injuries to property, Intimidating
by threatening letters, etc. 285
Firing into dwelling houses 58
Rioting, robbery of arms, etc. 31