Colonel Gordon, "Chinese Gordon," has been studying the disturbed districts
in Ireland, and a letter recording his con- clusions is published in Friday's Times. They are, briefly, three :—First, that in West Ireland the "gulf of antipathy" existing between landlords and tenants, however it may have arisen, cannot now be filled up, and would not be removed by any measure which left them still face to face. Secondly, that the condition of the people in the West is worse than that of any people with whom he is acquainted, including Anatolians, Chinese, and Indians. Thirdly, that the true policy for Govern- ment is to extend the "three F's" to all Ireland, but to buy up Longford, Westmeath, Cork, Clare, Kerry, Limerick, Leitrim, Sligo, Mayo, Cavan, Donegal, at an expense of 1380,000,000,.and make that territory a Crown estate, to be managed by an Estate Commission. There should. also be a Commision for assisting emigration, with right to expend £100,000 a year. Colonel Gordon's scheme, though broad, has two practical defects which would, we fear, prove insuperable. It would involve the ultimate purchase of all Ireland, which is too large an operation to think of; and it would, to succeed, require a redistribution of the soil purchased, to which the tillers will not consent. Colonel Oordon's testimony to the state of feeling and the condition of the people is, however, most important
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