CONSCRIPTION AND THE IRISH

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 174, 12 April 1918, Page 7

CONSCRIPTION AND THE IRISH

DEBATE IN HOUSE OF COMMONS MAN-POWER BILL READ A SECOND TIME IRISH OPPOSITION (Rec. April 11, 7.15 p.m.) London, April 10. In the House of Commons, Sir George Cave, in moving the second reading of the Man-Power Bill, was subjected to considerable Nationalist interruption until tho Speaker intervened. Sir Oeorgo Cavo said that tho Government believed that Irish < or.scription would bo worth whilo if only five divisions vera obtained. They did not lelievo that an army would he necessary *o enforce conscription, as there wore already considerable troops in Ireland for the preservation or order. Though Home Rule and conscription were not intended to represent two sides of a bargain, Ireland could not get Home Kule more easily than by fighting tbu Kingdom's common battle. An Amendment. . Air. Hobhouse moved an amendment:— ■ . . . ' That while recognising tho gravity of the military situation and the urgent necessity of giving _all iwssible support .to the Allied Foroes, the House of Commons is of opinion that tho Bill will diminish the nation's naval . and . economic power, without adding commensurately to its military strength. • Supporters of the amendment drew Mr. Lloyd George's attention to, his et&tement that tho onemy's strength was fnferior on tue West front, aud asked: "Why, then, havo wo not taken advantage of our superiority to assume the offensive?" The proposals would produoe an avalanche of unfit men; probably less than 3 per cent, would be useful for military purposes. The Army now was making no effective use'of the lower grade men. Mr. Dillon's Views. Mr. Dillon (Nationalist) stated that the events in France offered the only justification for the Bill, but the proposals could not have any possible effect in redreseing our recent misfortunes. A combing-out scheme would provide real reinforcements. The raising of the age limit was unnecessary. He believed that the trouble at the front was not the lack of men, but was due to the system of promoting officers. Tho old gang was still in control of the Army. He described the Bill as a. delusion and an attempt to blind the people. Its real purpose was to divert {he public's attention from the causes of the disasters at the front. The Irish bishops warned the Government that the Bill would break down law and order, and the Irish front would become a formidable oho, hecause there woirld be a conflict in which England would be morally wrong. Its influence would consequently spread to America and Australia a belief that the Government was enforcing conscription in order to escape from its Home Rule pledges. He challenged the Government to take a plebiscite in Ireland on ' conscription, which would yield probably no moro thau eighty thousand men and imperil Britain's food supply. If the deed were persisted in Britain's moral position before the world wou«d be gone.

Mr. William O'Brien (Nationalist member for Cork) pi otested against the madness and wickedness of applying conscription to Ireland. She could have destroyed the Government at tub outbreak of war, and this was her roward. The Government was offering her a shadow of Home Rule ■ with naked military despotism at tllo point of machine*guns. Irishmen wero beingasked to shod torrents of blood becauso another violated treaty had been flung to tho winds. Mr. O'Brien said ho had. been compelled to bitterly renounce his dreams of a reconciliation between the two countries. Ho concluded by stating: "Because Ireland is weak they aro going to do to her what they dare not do to Australia without the consont of tho pooplo." Mr, Asquith Opposes. Mr. Asquith gravely doubted whether the raising of the age limit would produco the. expected results. Ho liad •been overwhelmed with communications from all parts of tho country, pointing out that tho proposal would denude vital businesses of their remaining indispensable men. He himself Behoved that the result would not increase, but diminish, the national efforts available for war. He regretted that the tribunals had been _ swept away, so preventing consideration of special cases. Irish conscription had already been rejected twice or thrice by Governments. It would ,have been much easier two years ago. It should not bo imposed without Ireland's genoral consent, which was not forthcoming. It was only imposed in Britain when genoral assent had beon secured. In a free Empire _we must take things and communities as they were. Additional man-power from Ire-

land by conscription would not balance Ehe drawbacks. Tho Irish revolutionary movement was now waning. It would be a terribly short-sighted step to accompany Home Rule with this obnoxious proposal. Ho concluded by appealing to all parties to endeavour to reconcile Ireland to the Empire in order to preserve an unbroken front. Mr. Bonar Law. Mr. Bonar Law said that the Government had agreed to Mr. Asquith , s suggestion to givo more time to the consideration of the Bill, which would necessarily create controversy. Tho Government did not wish to aggravate discord, and must justify tho proposals. It was xiseloss to conceal tho position from ourselves. What had happened in France was not expected. That was why tho Government introduced the Bill. Until the commencement of the battlo tho balance offerees was not against the Allies. Under these circumstances the bovoniment, as well as tho Allied military advisers, believed that if the enemy attacked we ran no danger ot anything fatal happening. Members we're repeatedly asking why we did not exercise the initiative. Even it tie Government or the Army leaders ought to havo changed their policy, tho demand for men remained. Unless wo were prepared to face the position we must be prepared to face defeat. A succossful offensive against entrenched positions was only possible with the Uolo weight of the Allies., The Government had established unity of command, believing that if the Allied armies were used as one, what was now-a dangerous situation might bo changed to our advantage. If tho enemy feis in his present plans the result would be most sorious for him. He (tho speaker) would considor Mr. Asquith s suggested maximum age—forty-olalit. The Germans would persist month.atter month. The Governments' figures showed that unless tho casualties becamo much heavier tho most critical timo would be at tho ond of May or in Juno. If tho battle lasted another i eight months tho men now being re-

cruitcd would bo available. Therefor* there must not bo unnecessnry delay. Iho Government was awaro of thb inon able eftoot on trndo and industry, and bad deliberately made up its mind that the risk must bo taken in tho face o tho greater risk, believing tli.it it. might mean the difference- between victory and defeat. If the Governmont announced that tho lifo of tlio nation was at stalco, but could not tsk Ireland to help, that would have been the end of Home Rule. It was a-mis-takoto suppose that tho Government had introduced Irish conscription as a !>ious opinion. They intended to carry it out. (Cheers.) It had been formerly estimated that Ireland would provide 120,000 men, but tho new conditions would give many more. Tho Government had doliberately weighed the advantages and disadvantages. If it should bo wrong the Government should bo changed. Mr. Boiiar Law concluded by inviting the opponents of Irish conscription to oppose the t <veond reading. If the country thought the Government was making a Mistake the latter, would support any other Government in carrying on the war.—Aus - jV.Z. Cablo Assn. Extraordinary Scene. Thero was an extraordinary scene at the closing of the debate. Sir Auckland Geddes roso to sum up, but the Nationalists shouted: "Duke! Duke!" Tho Speaker vainly apjwaled for order, and the scene lasted for a quarter of an hour, though Mr. Dillon appealed to his friends to allow Sir Auckland Geddos to be heard. Finally Jfr. Bonar Law pointed out that Mr. Duke intended to speak on Irish matters later.

Sir Auckland Geddes said that the Army authorities and the Chief of tho Imperial General Staff considered that the Hill was vitally necessary. Thorn was no alternative except to, lot the armies down, and he felt certain that Parliament and the. country would never do this.

Tho closure was carried, and Mr. Hobhouse's amendment defeated by 321 votes to 106.

Tljo Bill was ■ L hen rend a. second time-.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

SECOND HEADING OAKR.IED BY HUGE MAJORITY. (Rec. April 11, 10.10 p.m.) London, April 11. The Man-Power Bill was read a second time by 323 votes to 100.—Aus.N.Z. Cable Assn. PRESS AND PUBLIC OPINION HUBBUB IN IRELAND. London, April 10. The text of the new Military Service Bill states that the provisions shall not apply to persons ordinarily resident in the Dominions. Doctors up to 56 years will be liable for service, clergymen shall perform combatant service only with their consent. As regards Ireland, tho Act shall be subject to such modifications and adaptations at may bo necessary to make it applicable.

The "Daily Telegraph" states that Nationalist members, of tho House of Commons avow their intention of returning to Ireland to organise resistance to conscription. Some are of opinion that there will be an alliance or Nationalists and Sinn Feiners.

At a meeting of the Standing Committee of Irish Catholics, consisting of Cardinal Logue and the Bishops of Oloyne' and Kildare, it was resolved that any ittempt to enforce conscription would bo a fatal mistake.— Renter.

The "Irish Times" says: There is only, ouo thing more unfortunate than tho total exemption of Ireland from compulsory service, namely, tbe enactment of compulsion and tho subsequent hesitation to enforce it in face of the lawless and disloyal throats of tbe Nationalists.

The "Freeman's Journal" declares thaE tho Government and a mad Cabinet has decided to carry war into Ire-

"Propped Up by Home Rule."

Jlr. Lloyd George's speech foiled to grip the Commons, and there aro undoubtedly signs of, confusion, which will lea? to a crisis unless the Nationalist? can be pacified. Tho general feeling in the lobby is that the Government has made a grave mistake in mixing up conscription and Homo Rule. Sir Edward Carson voiced this opinion, adding that conscription is "propped up /by Homo Rule," and ho warned the Govornmont that the introduction of Homo Rule might raise an agitation. He told tho Nationalists in all sincerity that the greatest contribution they could make towards an ■Irish settlement was Chat the mon in tho trenches should learn to trust each oth'er. . , A' meeting of the Ulster Unionist members of tho House of Commons passed a resolution in favour of conscription in Ireland. _ The nowspapers state that the reuon oi the Convention may not bo ready before Friday. Tho "Morning Post" welcomes the inolusion of Ireland on the Bame conditions as Britain, and says it is glad that no attempt is mado to shuttle the responsibility on to the shoulders of tlin hypothetical Trish. . . . . Tho "Daily Chronicle" is insistent in Its opposition to tho conscription of Ireland, and earnestly hopes that even now the Government may open its ear to saner counsels—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. TWO LEADING IRISHMEN INTERVIEWED. (Rec. April 11, 8.20 p.m.) Eonilon, April 10. Mr. Hazelton, M.P. (Nationalist), interviewed in New York, said that tho enforcement of conscription in Ireland would spell tragedy and utter disaster. Mr T. V. O'Connor declared that conscription 'would paralyse their friends and encourage their bitterest enemies. Such an insane oiunaer would render futilo tho best efforts of tho Irish leaders everywhere—Aus.N.Z. Cable Assn. ADVICE FROM AMERICA IIM ?o&^ ACOEPT New York, April 10. Tho New York "Times," commenting on Sir. Lloyd George's speech, says that Ireland will be well advised to

aocept conscription, otherwise she cannot expect liberal treatment after the war. If Englishmen are giving up their fivos ungrudgingly no part of the Knraire will be permitted to shirk its mity.-Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. CUTTING DOWN THE EXEMPTIONS London, April 10. •fho Pross Bureau reports:—The Minister for National Service (Sir Auckland Geddos) notifies the withdrawal on the 24th inst. of exemptions from military service held, on occupational by men of various ages in a farge number of occupations, who have beeu medically graded 1 and 2-Aus.-N.Z. Oablo Assn.-lleuter. MUTINY OF GERMAN SOLDIERS REFUSAL TO GO TO THE FRONT. Amsterdam, April 10. Gorman suldiers in Boverlov Camp, in Liniburg, mutinied when they woro ordered to proceed to the /ront, and shot and killed three officers nnd wounded many. Tlio mutiny iras quelled, and seventeen men wore arrested.— Aus.-N.Z. Cable Asbd,