IRELAND NOT YET FIT TO GOVERN

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 240, 28 June 1918, Page 5

IRELAND NOT YET FIT TO GOVERN

POLICY STATEMENT IN' HOUSE OF COMMONS HOME RULE AND CONSCRIPTION IN ABEYANCE TILL THE COUNTRY. PROVES HERSELF London, Juno 2a. , In the House of Commons, the Chief Secretary for Ireland (Mr. Edward Shorlt) stated that circumstances in Irelaud to-day were complicated and anxious. When Mr. Lloyd George, early in April, explained tho Government's Irish policy there was every appearance that both Homo Rule and conscription could be carried to a successful conclusion. But since then the circumstances had entirely changed; firstly, owing to tho discovery of the German plot in Ireland, which was a real and imminent danger to Britain; and, sc-oondlv, because tho anti-conscription feeling'had been used by extremists m conjunction with the German plot. Ho did not suggest that any substantial proportion of the anti-conscriptionists know they were being so used. It had been suggested that the plot was a bogus one, anu intended to injure Ireland. He regretted to say that, the plot actually existed, and gavo striking examples of German propaganda and intrigue in Ireland from sources on which tho Government relied, both in Ireland and outside, .and which had always proved reliable.

History of the Plots. Mr. Shortt. traced the activity of the German agents in Ireland from 1911. During tho war 'messages not only wont to Ireland from German sources, but to Germany frpm Irish sources. Tho Government knew that in a certain German port a large amount of ammunition was loaded into two submarines, and enemy submarines had been seen in localities where the destruction of shipping could not have been their object. A Gorman pamphlet, printed in 1912 ami reprinted recently, told Irishmen to be ready lor tho day when a German sea victory tolls tho death-knell of British rulo in Ireland. Tho crippling of the British Fleet would mean a ioint German and Irish invasion. Germany fomented and partly financed tho 1916 rebellion. This and other seditious appeals wereposted and scattered throughout Ireland. Mr. Shortt then read extracts from recent Sinn Fein proclamations mid speeches. In ono instaneo it was stated that Germany guaranteed an Irish republic when victorious, and named tho districts that would receive arms in duo course, but,' if unavailable, "to equip yourselves with pitchforks, scythes, and knives. \v ho knows but that tho Kaiser, who is always on tho alert, may land nn army for tho deliverance of Ireland?" 'Ihe Government was definitely warned'that a rising was, planned for May. Our dut; was plain; to striko quickly, and hard, and wo did. Recrudescence of Lawlessness. The anti-conscription movement, said Mr. Shortt, had produced a recrudescence of drilling, seditious speaking, outrage, and midnight raids for arms, which entirelv unfitted any country for the peaceful settlement of any of its domestic questions. Both Lord French and he, after a thorough investigation in Ireland, had concluded it was an absolutely essential preliminary to any form of conscription that Ireland should be given tho opportunity voluntarily to takopart in the war. Cabinet adopted that view, and Lord French's proclamations followed. Lord French and himself had as difficult a problem as over faced a Minister of tho Crown. They would try and do their best, but they would want t,ic help of everybody in Ireland, and of nil parties to secure a settlement. Mr. Shortt, 'in reply to a question, said that a certain man mentioned had not been shot. Tho Government did not desiro any moro executions if it could ensure- the safetv of the realm without them j but, if this were not possible, the responsibility" would bo upon theso who •forced extreme measures upon tho Government.

Kir Edward Carson said there was an unanswerable case for introducing ccnscripticn in Ireland, but Mr. L.oyd George had proceeded to bribe Ireland by promising immediate Homo Rule. Ho appealed to Irishmen in all' parts nf Ireland to vindicnto their country's honour and take their share in the war for freedom. It was not a question of Ireland assisting England, but of assisting civilisation to drive back barbarism. Sir Edward Carson declared that tho Roman Catholic hierarchy went to a- length in connection with conscription which no modem civilised community ought to tolerate.

Statement by Mr. Lloyd George. Mr. Lloyd George emphasised 'tho dilTi- ' cullies and perplexities of the Irish prob--1 lem. It was the problem of governing Ireland without tho full ascent of the Irish people/ and any failures should bo viewed indulgently, because llio Government was largely pre-occupicd with the tremendous responsibility of prosecuting tho war. Ho believed it was not bcyoiid , tho capacity of tho Houso to carry through a measure of Home Eulo. dealing equitably with tho legitimate objections ' of a large part of the Irish community, but the discovery of the recent conspiracy and tho antagonism of I he Church i towards conscription, constituting a. cliali lenge to Imperial supremacy, had antag- . oniscd the feelings inside Ireland lind in t the Houso of Commons to Home liule. ) Until the. atmosphere created by this I challenge was removed.it was impossible ■' to attempt Home Rule legislation. The , whole- temper of- the assenting Irish ) Unionists hud been altered, while tho al- • titurio of the Sinn Feiuers ns regards tho pro-German plot was the most deadly Blow to the liberties of Ireland which had occurred in the speaker's lifetime. He was still hopeful that a. conciliatory spirit would be. recreated, enabling a settlement of the Irish question to be reached during the war. Ireland was «■ ■ war problem as long as a settlement was ! not attained. Our difficulties were m- ' creasing, as were also those of tho United ' States. He appealed to Sir Edward Carsori to show tho samo spirit as he did two years ago, and to persuade Ulster to secure the willing assent of the people of Ireland to Imperial unity. The Government would adhere to its policy prot claimed on April 9, but in the method f of its administration would be advised > by proved administrators. Ireland might - to lake her share- in I ho war. Aye wore I fighting for the principle for which Iroi land struggled, and therefore he hoped i that Ireland would voluntarily take her i sham now. It was the duty of tho Govi eminent, before proceeding further, lo . givo her the opportunity of voluntarily going into tho struggle. i Imperial Discussion Suggested, i Mr. Asqnith agreed as regards the l urgency of a settlement of the Irish ; question as a necessity of the war. Ho ; said, therefore, that ho would repeat his -' proposals of fifteen mouths ago: Is it - not possible to tnko advantage of tho pre- ; sence here of the representatives of the great dominions to bring the matter before them again, and nsk them in the interests of the Empire do suggest and f advise or present a scheme of settlement which might bo acceptable to nil parties in Ireland and the people of Clroat Britain? "I do not believe," he said, "that tho Imperial .War Cabinet could perform ' a task moro vital to the interests of the • Empire or moro valuable for tho prosecution of tho war than to pavo tho way • for a settlement in Ireland."—Router. ■' THE DOMINIONS AND HOME RULE London, Juno 26. . In tho House of Commons, Mr. Bonar Law, replying to a question whether tho, Government proposed to take any action in regard to the suggestion that the Imperial Conference might settle the Home Ivulo issue, said that the Conference ; Hciected its own subjects for discussion'. i IVhofher it would consider Homo Rule > would depend on circumstances. tfeplying to Mr. Outhwaito's nssorlijn i that all .tho Dominion Governments fav-j

oured Homo Kule, Mr. Bonnr Lnw said ho believed tho rorcrso was rather the case. Mr. John Dillon, speaking in Dublin, said the Recruiting Committees would not receive the support of the Catholic Church or this National Part; 7 until Irishmen governed their own country— Aus.N. 55. Cable. Assn. OVERSEAS DELEGATES NOT ANXIOUS TO INTERFERE (Eec. June 27, 7.55 p.m.) London, June 26. General Smuls's proposal of Jlav i!) that, the Imperial Conference should deal with the Home Rule question is generally .not acceptable (o the overseas delegates, for fear of provoking dissension in their o.wn dominions. The propoail ' will probably bo dropped.—Aus.-N.Z. 1 Cable Assn. FEDERATED UNITED *• KINGDOM DEPUTATION TO ME. LLOYD GEORGE. (Ree. Juno 28, 1.35 a.m.) London, June 27. A Parliamentary deputation waited on Mr. Lloyd George on the subject of a scheme for a federated United Kingdom, it-is understood that the Premier was friendly and sympathetic, but could not encourage the idea that the Government would tackle so grave a prol>ler,\ during war time without clear evidence fhat the public demanded it.—Eeuter.