IRISH UNREST.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 16161, 15 March 1918, Page 7

IRISH UNREST.

THE SINN FEIN MENACE. j DISCUSSION IN HOUSE OF LORDS. (By Cable.—Picas Association.— Copyright.) (Australian and N.Z. Cablo Association.) LONDON, March 13. Lord Salisbury, in the House of Lords, moved that the present situatio in Ireland had become a danger to o Empire and a menace to ihe successfu prosecution of the war and to li» e an property, and calling on tho Govern ment to enforce the law. He paid a tribute to the Government s efforts, but said the oxisting treason, disloyalty, anarchy, and attitude towards the war proved tho danger o establishing anv form of self-governmen in Ireland. Ho instanced the victimisation of soldiers and tho destruction of bridges, the insults to tho National Anthem, and the demonstration against American sailors. Lord Salisbury declared that the trouble was all duo to administrative feebleness. The Government had boon afraid to touch the leaders, and anarchy had now reached a point which was intolerable in any civilised countryconditions were much worse than the public was permitted to know. Ihe disorder had soread far beyond County Clare, and was now rampant in Liinerick, Tipperary, and Galway. It would become more general unless put down. The Earl of Meatli warned tho Government of tho danger of Sinn Fein attempts to create a republic. lho Federal solution was the only solution, but tho Government meanwhile must maintain order. _ Lord Sydonham criticised the Government's negligence and apathy in Ireland. The position, he said, was largely due to German influence. Lord Ouracn, replying, gave an assurance that tho Government would take no step leading to Irish separation. Mr H. E. Duke (Chief Secretary for Ireland) had the Government's unqualified support. Sinn Feinism had rarely overstepped tlie mark until the December agitations. Their acts could bo treated with contempt from the military point of view. There had been many arrests and prosecutions, but tho lawlessness was exaggerated. Ho acknowledged tho assistance of tho Irish Catholic Bishops in order to save Ireland from lawlessness and civil war. Armed force could easily, be applied, but the rosults would be incalculable. It might accelerate, not stifle, the conflagration. Political agitation had been replaced in the last few months by criminal oonsniracy. An earlier attempt to use forco would not have carried public opinion with it. The military were now given full power in the disturbed areas, with instructions to disperse meetings of agitators, arrest loaders, and strike at disorder. Ho regretted the painful necessity of the use of force, but Lord French's" report confirmed the good results of strong action. Tho disturbance had boiled over, but had not yet cooled. Ho could not say how long military measures would bo nccessarv, but the Government was determined to enforce law. Tho Government's policy might not be heroism, but it was sanity and common sense.

Lord Selborne said the Govenjment's policy had been disastrous. The Government had not taken adequate measures. Lord Lansdoyne said a disquieting feature of the disorder was the outburst of agreement with the enemy. Recent acts in Ireland amounted to rebellion. Lnrtl Salisbury withdrew his motion, in view of Lord Curzon's assurance. NATIONALIST LEADER'S TASK. LONDON, March 13. Tho Dublin correspondent of tho "Daily News" states that many Irishmen expect that the first action of Mr John Dillon (who has succeeded Mr John Redmond as Nationalist Loader) will be to renew tho advances made recently to Sinn Feiners not to contest by-elections until the general election, when it will be possible to test the feeling of the country. Mr John Dillon passionately desires to restore unity and national endeavour. The Sinn Feiners may now be willing to meet him half-way.