IRELAND A MASS OF SEDITION

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 267, 31 July 1918, Page 5

IRELAND A MASS OF SEDITION

DEBATE IN THE HOUSE OF COMMONS MR. DILLON MOVES VOTE OF CENSURE CLEARING OUT THE TREASON HOLES • (Roc. July 30, 8.30 p.m.) London, July 2&. In the House of Commons,, Mr" John Billon moved tho resolution of which, harecently gave notice, condemning. tho Government's Irish policy as alienating and exasperating tho Irish people, .ana declaring that the only true solution of tho problem, was to put into operation tho principles embodied in President Wilson's speech. Ho declared that tho Irish wero holding: back from the war because they believed tho Government was determined to break faith with Ireland, and that conscription would bo imposed upon Ireland in order to "torpedo" Homo Rule.Mr. Dillon said that he felt justified in raising the question as a war'issue, which, if it remained unsettled, would be u source of weakness and embarrasamant to the Empire at the Peace Conference. Britain had accepted tho principle of the League of Nations, which, could not bo created unless slio wero propared to submit to tho judgment of civilised mankind. In tliis the Irish question was involved. The Nationalists had struggled to save tho constitutional movement, and bring Ireland into the war, but tho Government had done every-, thing in its power to drive her out. The Government had instituted a system of universal coercion in its decision tq. apply conscription, which was ill-advi6ed. Tho net result wns the tying up of many troops in Ireland. Justice and honour demanded that the Government should attempt conciliation. If tho Government had not betrayed Mr. Redmond, Irish soldiers would bo fighting to-day in overincreasing numbers. How could Britain claim that she was- fighting to free tho subject races of Europe while Ireland was fettered by tho tyranny of a military Government? Ireland bolieved that tho Home Rule Act would be treated an a scrap of paper. German plots in Ireland had succeeded in dopriving Britain of Irish troops, and compelling a largo garrison to be retained. "They would havo failed ignoininiously s but for tho methods of tho Government and tho War Office.

Sir Edward Carson 6aid that the situation in' Ireland was desperate. If,, the Government persisted in its present policy friendly settlement would become impossible.

Mr. Dillon (suggested that thoy should ask America, for a scliomo of settlement. Ho was propared to accept the verdict of a jury of Americans appointed by President Wilson.

llr. ohortt (Chief Secretary) denied Urn charges. Tho Nationalists, not tho Government, were responsible for making matters worse. The Government had been compelled to take strong measures. The country war a mass of sedition. A complete military system, skilfully organised, had been discovered in tho west and south, and tho organisers were secretly importing oxplosives. Instructions had been circulated on how to destroy bridges, communications, and cut tho railways. Tho situation was improving. Ireland was exceedingly prosperous. Mr. Shortt, continuing, said that illegal dritlingi-.hnd practically disappeared. Hidden printing presses, which wec.v very difficult to find, were still spreading highly seditious literature, but tho Government vsra stamping out these as fast as it could. Ho hoped, as Ireland became more, peaceful, that something would be dono to 6ecuro Homo Rule, which tho wholo of tho United Kingdom demanded a year ago. Tho measure would not pass a general election to-day, Air. Asquith said that the debate waa a further proof of the supreme and overwhelming importance of securing 'a settlement of tho Irish question. "It was the drying Parliament's duty to put tho question on a belter basis for its successor. The Conscription Act had :iggravated tho Chief difficulties by creating an atmosphere which had shifted tho balance of political opinion, and, temporarily, tho political power,, from tho, constitutional to tho revolutionary party. This was a 6erious 6tato. of. things. He appealed to the Government, in tho interests of the Empire and tho Allies, to try oven at this eleventh hour to find a settlement.' Ho also appealed to the Nationalists and Ulslermon • to join the common recruiting platform. Apparently tho Dominion representatives worn unwilling to consider the problem. If that wore so, probably President Wilson was also overcrowded with war matters, and the House of Commons would havo to make another.effort, at a settlement.

Mr. Devlin said that the Nationalist* had tlono their share. Ulster had sent 58,000 recruits, of which 20,000 were Na- • tionalists. Tim rest of Ircla-nd had provided 65,000, of which about 10,000 were Unionists. Mr. Dillon's resolution was defeated by 215 voles to 106.-AUS.-N.Z. Cablo Assn.