REPUBLIC IRELAND

Hokitika Guardian, 13 February 1920, Page 2

REPUBLIC IRELAND

ACTING PRESIDENT’S VIEW. AN INTERVIEW. By Electric Telegraph—Copyright.; (Received this day at 8.40 a.m.) - LONDON, Feb. 11.

The Australian Press Association representatives had an exclusive interview with Air Griffiths, the actingpresident of the so-called Irish Republic. Mr Griffiths declared that 75 per cent of the urban bodies in Ireland had recognised the Republic and all corporations except Belfast had elected Mayors but refused to elect Sheriffs, because the final choice of these officials rests with the British Government. He bitterly complained of the conduct of the Irish Constabulary, who were not policemen in the ordinary sense but men armed with guns, bayonets and bombs, living in fortified barracks, whose business was to hold Ireland for the British. Hon. Lloyd George was under a wrong impression in suggesting that the people of Ireland went in danger of their lives. There had always been a remarkable absence of robberies, sexual and other crimes in Ireland, until the ex-soldiers returned. In order to deal with these crimes Sinn Feinners had appointed local vigilance committees. These committees were investigating, and werp successfully coping with the situation, until raided and suppressed by the Constabulary. Mr Griffiths added angrily: “We are not going to denounce anyone who resorts to violent action, into which lliev

are goaded by the acts of the Goviuil ment. ” .

Dealing with the British viewpoint, that a hostile Ireland on her flank would constitute a danger to the countrv, Mr Griffiths said: “ If Ireland ik as stated the key to the Atlantic, it can only mean that Ireland is used as a menace to America. So far ag w e concerned, we will always be hostile tq England until free. We have »Q reason to be hostile to any country which does not- threaten our independence The security of Europe, America an d the world demands an independent Ireland.” . . In response to close questioning by the Association representative, Mr Griffith said that he was not prepared to make any offer regarding any possible basis of agreenienj;. that England’s physical possession ot Ireland was a fact, but Ireland could not offer guarantees in substitution ior Bus. They would wiltpigTy However discuss the application «f a Afoppqt) Doctrine to Ireland's [lndependence, He protested that lie did not content;: plate aii v action before the League of Nations, which v he regarded as being under the thumb of England. r PI<3rfi 1 <3 r fi had no resort or approach by thp RrU tisli Government to find a "ay out of

the impasse. He cpuld pot anticipate what fsl“» Fein action would fie if a Parliament were established jn Dublin, McNeill, the member of the Commons for Londonderry, who is accompanying Mr Griffiths, replying to question as to whether the Sinn Fein policy would ilie to accept and to Try to improve the Home Rule Act when passed, merely said we are entitled to take advantage of apy situation created, and to make the best of it until imjepeqd.ence is gained. Ho pointed out t-hai the Republic had been created under English machinery throughout the local Councils.

Mr Mae Neill added, “Remember America worked out its independence under its English constitution.” Referring to guarantees against the use of Ireland by an enemy country, he said lie had no guarantee to offer, except good faith, and the economic ties which were the strongest of all. He could not countenance English naval bases ip frefapd undqr the Ropu]die,