IRISH PROBLEM

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 259, 27 July 1920, Page 5

IRISH PROBLEM

PREMIER CONVINCED WORSE THINGS ARE AHEAD IDLE TO DISCUSS LABOUR'S SCHEME By Telesraph—Press Aseociatlon-OopyrleM London, July 21. An official report of. the deputation of the Trade Union Congress to tho Premier, to present the congress resolutions on the subject of Ireland, states that Mr. Lloyd George, in reply to the spokesman. Mr. J. H. Thomas, said that Labour's 6chenie of Home Rule was "truncated Dominion Home Rule." It was idle to discuss such a matter except with somebody who was able to deliver the goods, as the deputation was not. Ho saw no sign that the Sinn Fcdn was- prepared to discuss anything except absolute independence, ■ which was not discussable. Mr. Thomas declared that tho bridge between the two extremes of Irish opinion could l>e found through the Parliamentary Committee of the Trade Union Congress and tho Irish Parliamentary Committee.

Mr. Lloyd George replied: "You may know more than I do. I am convinced ■that things on tho other side are going to become very much worse, and very much sterner. . We cannot allow this to eo on. Therefore anybody who is anxious for peace must act quiclcy." Mr. Thomas, after further discussion, said they would again get into touch with the Irish Trade Union Congress. He appealed to the Government nojt to make tho mistake of ignoring that body as non-ropresentative.. If tho Government made a deal with tho Irish Labour Party they would solve the problem. On the subject of Poland, Mr. Thomas demanded a frank recognition of tho Russian Government, and asked whether the Government was prepared to enter into negotiation? with Russia immediatelv. ~ ■ Mr. Lloyd George said: No, we invite them here to discuss, in. tho first placs, peace with Eastern Europe; and onoe such discussions have begun they are very apt to end in the clearing up of all misunderstandings."—Beuter.

GOVERNMENT POLICY UNCHANGED TROOPS NOT SENT TO COERCE PEOPLE. London, July 25. Sir Hamar Greenwood states that no change has been made in the Governpolicy. Tho Sinn Fein leaders have not approached the Government. Although tho Sinn Fein movement ia not sectarian, every fight in the North of Ireland ultimately becomes a conflict between tho Catholics and tho Protestants. The fighting in Belfast originntted in the murder of Colonel Smyth, who was an. Ulsterman. Troops were not sent to Coerce the people, and but for troops there would be tho most bitter and sanguinary civil war.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

IMPORTANT DEVELOPMENTS PRESAGED (Rec. July 26, 11.55 p.m.) London, July 26. i Mr. Lloyd George's Irish) pronouncement is much discussed in political circles. It is generally felt that the position cannot remain stationary. Important. developments are presaged. Tho Times" poirtts out that Ml. Lloyd George will be unable to maintain his present attitude indefinitely. Tho Irish question moves on relentlessly. Tho Sinn Fein republic is now a de racto Government, Ulster has commenced the opening skirmishes of a _ tcligious war. The days of temporising are numbered. "The Times" ; thinkß that the South of Ireland would. ultimately accept a full moasuro of Dominion Home Rule, |>ut this would spelt disaster to Ulster. "The Tirnos" opposes a naked partition, but thinks the caso calls for special treatment. In view of the growing ombitterment prompt statcwmnnshiD must end the present intolerable situation—United Service,

BELFAST RIOTS LESS EXTENSIVE WILD SCENES IN NEIGHBOURING TOWNS. London, July 25. Several deaths liav© occurred in the Belfast Hospital, making -the, riot's death-roll seventeen. Bioting uunng tiio week-end was ltro extensive, but occasionally hostile crowds exchanged stones and bottles. Protestant families were evict-, ed from Catholic areas, and vice versa, and their furniture was 'thrown into tno streets and burned. There were- wild sienes on Saturday night in the neighbouring towns of. Bangor, Ballynahinch, Newtown, and Lisbnrn, necessitating tno calling out of troops. , A military patrol, which was enforcing the curfcw at Blackpool (Cork) was fired on, and refairned ilio fire,- wounding a labourer named Callaghan. Sergeant Mulhern, Chief of the Intelligence Department of AVest Cork, was murdered as ho Teached the holy water font in Bandon Church, and was making tlie sign of the cross. Two masked men, hiding in the porch, fired several shots at point-blank range, and Mulhern immediatelv expired. The service was suspended, but was resumed an hour later, when ifcho priest strongly denounced the dime. —Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. (Rec. July 20, 7.45 p.m.)

London, July 26. Bomb attacks were mado on a number of coastguard stations in County Cork. Two officors' were killed. Three Limerick police recrutfs wero seriously wounded by allots from ten armed men. A military motor-car, after a breakdown' in Cork, was burned. Troops arrived with a tank and ,fire<l tlio crowd, wounding several civilians.—Aus.N.Z. Cable Aesn,