IRISH DISORDERS

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 23, 22 October 1920, Page 7

IRISH DISORDERS

INQUIRY INTO REPRISALS DEMANDED

CONSTABULARY DEFENDED

BY CHIEF SECRETARY

EARLY END OF ASSASSINS' RULE ' PREDICTED (By Telegraph-Press Aeßoclntlon-OoyyrlirM (Rcc. October 21, 8.45 p.m.) London, October 21. Mr. A. Henderson, in a motion demanding inquiry into reprisals by soldiers and police in Ireland, attributed the Sinn Fein outrages largely to the repressive character of the Government's administration. He believed the .present reprisals were part of a. deliberate campaign to stamp out tho nationalist movement. $ir Hamar Greenwood replied. He eakl the present situation was due to an organised, highly-paid conspiracy to smash the British Empire. Mr. Henderson's source of information, was the headquarters of the Ivisli republican army. The House must 'make up its mind whether it would accept the information from a band of assassins. He defended the Royal Irish Constabulary against the suggestion that they were a band of assassins. He .had yet to learn of an authenticated case of reprisals bv. theso men. The problem of the campaign of murder in Ireland was now narrowed down to a few''counties in the west and Dublin. The reign of terror was being broken. He foreshw an early end to the assassins' rule. lie admitted that reprisals had been carried out in tho caso of the murder of Inspector Brady. When his men saw Inspector Brady lying wounded they saw red, and bnrned the shops of three notorious Sinn Pernors. He regretted' a certain break in discipline in Balbriggan, when men saw the mutilation and death of five gallant officers. The Government know hundreds of assassins, and would track do™ everyone. He would rake Ireland from end to and in search of arms.' Mr. A6tiuith said he did not deny that the police and- military were entitled to hit back when hit. It was their dtaty 'to adopt measures of self-defence, but Oil prima facie evidence they had gone far bevond- the limits of self-defence, and had carried out reprisals whicli were a crimo and outrage against unoffending, innocent people. Mr. Bonar Law denounced the motion bccause it did not contain a word condemning the atrocities and murders' by Sinn Feiners. Ministers and representatives of the Crown in Ireland had denounced reprisals. There had' been a great reduction in the number of reprisals since, but soldiers and police, on whoiu the Government depended, must not have reason to dou.bt that they were backed up in every legitimate way. It would be impossible to have a fair inouiry respecting Reprisals. .One who wouid commit murder would swear anything. Mr. Henderson's motion was negatived by 316 votes to 79.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. .DISCUSSION IN HOUSE OF LORDS GOVERNMENT REFUSES COMMISSION OF INQUIRY. (Rec. October 21, 8.45 p.m.) ■ a London, October 20. The Marquess of Crewe, speaking in the House of Lords, - eaid he would sooner sec civil war,in Ireland than tjyit country should be apparently pacified by reprisals. He urged'the appointment of a commission of inquiry, with Marshal Allenby. or Marshal l'lumer presiding. . Lord Curzon stated that the Government declined to appoint a. commission of inquiry What sort of evidence would a commission get? The Sinn Fein campaign of murder would be followed by a campaign of perjury. A Sinn Foiner would perjure his 60111 fifty times to get a policeman's life. Lord Crewe withdrew hie motion.— Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

STATEMENT BY IRISH BISHOPS

CRIMES CHARGED AGAINST FORCES OF CROWN

London, October 20. Tho Irisli bisllop3 at Mnynooth lmve issued a statement in which they declnre that where terrorism, partiality, and failuro to apply tho # principles. of Government are rampant it is to uphold.the law of Gad. "On a scale truly appalling, must bo' reckoned the countless indiscriminate raids, arrests, in the darkness of night, prolonged imprisonment without trial, savage sentences from tribunals not commanding and not deserving confidence, the. burning of houses and crops, destruction of industries to pave the way to want and famine by men maddened by plundered drink anil bent on loot, floggings, and massacre of civilians—all perpetrated by the forces of the Crown/' Referring to' Ulster, the statement says that the plausible sentiment not to coerce Ulster is founded on a false pretenoe which, if pressed, the bishops warn the Government will lead tq.tho danger,of bitter and prolonged civil strife—Aus.N.Z. Cable SINN FEINTENERAL--BELIEVED TO BE CAPTURED. (Ree. October 20, 7.20 p.m.) London, October 20. ' According to a message from St. Helier (Jersey), the police have arrested an Irishman, who is suspected to be Daniel Breen, the Sinn Fein general, -lhe man. arrested is the proprietor of a cafe, anil it is belioved the man answers Breen s description. He gave evasivo replies to tho police questions, and later admitted that he had given false information. He had taken a ticket for France, and denied'that he was connected with 'bum Fein. He will be sent to England.-Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. ' . fA thousand pounds reward was ottered for information resulting in.the arrest of the Sinn Fein general, Daniel Breen. Breen is described as commandant of tho third Tipperary brigade of tho republican army, and also a fanatic, 6ulky in appearance, leader of a gang specialising, in murderous outrages. He is-27 years of. age, and-was formerly a labourer. Breen is wanted on several charges of murder, including that of Major Smyth at Drunicondra, when Breen escaped by jumping from a window to a greenhouse, injuring his legs.J

DEATH OF FITZGERALD

VERDICT OP COURT OF INQUIRY

London, October 20. The Court of Inquiry in Cork returned a verdict thai 'Michael Fitzgerald when of sound mind deliberately and feloniously killed himself—Reuter.