IRELAND

Southland Times, Issue 18843, 8 June 1920, Page 5

IRELAND

PREMIER AND THE RAILWAYMEN. THE GOVERNMENT FIRM. 'By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright.) (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association). LONDON, Juno 5. Mr Lloyd George, replying to the railwaymen’s union’s deputation, said he regretted the attitude of the Irish railwayman and stated that the Government could not tolerate any discrimination in regard to various classes of goods. The Government were bound to take every step to maintain order. The Premier pointed out that trades unionism now sought to influence political decisions not by the ordinary machinery of the State but by threats of disorganising the industries of the country. That was a serious issue which he took up at once. He would regard it as complete abdication by the Government if they were in the least to countenance the demand. The issue raised was similar to the recent issue in France which ended so disastrously for trades unionism in France. He declined to believe that the National Union of Railway-men would embark on a policy which the Trade Union Congress absolutely refused to sanction in connection with another important matter of public policy.

Mr Thomas said he recognised that to support the strikers in Ireland meant a declaration of war on the Government.

Mr Lloyd George said regarding the position in Ireland that within a very short time there had been 48 murders of police and 120 attempted murders. Men were shot down while carrying out the elementary duty of the preservation of order. Vet when a box of revolvers was sent to these men to enable them to defend their lives, a trade union threatened to stop all traffic in Ireland notwithstanding the fact that murderers with revolvers in their pockets were carried backwards and forwards on the railways. “We cannot,” he said, “have that, whatever it costs. It means that the railwaymen have refused to work trains carrying troops.” He declared most emphatically that the Government could not possibly agree to the action of any section discriminating against Government traffic, or accept any decree issued by any body, no mailer how powerful, denying to the Government essential facilities for carrying out its functions.

Mr Thomas, addressing a meeting of railwaymen at Battersea, said that no Government. not oven a Labour Government, would tolerate the murder of innocent policemen and soldiers. He was sympathetic with Ireland, but he could not condone murders. A special labour conference had been summoned at which the Irish railwayman would be invited to state their

Sixty’ Sinn Feincrs surrounded a patrol consisting of eleven soldiers and one polleeman who were cycling from Middleton to Carrigto Hill and confiscated their arms and cycles. A Sinn Fein court martial sentenced a resilient of Tuam who was accused of stealing money from a house which he assisted in raiding. The.prisoner subsequently informed the police of the whereabouts of a Sinn Fein “gaol” in a deserted bog, which the police and military raided, arresting three men.

THE POPE AND SINN FEIN. LAWLESS METHODS REPROBATED. (The Times.) LONDON, June ,5. The Sunday Times states that the Pope has informed Irish Bishops visiting Rome that Sinn Fein methods are deplorable and must lie denounced. The Daily Mail states that the Irish authorities are asking anyone in possession of information which will he useful in stamping nut crime to write to posts rcstante. Absolute secrecy is assured. A reward will be given if the information proves efficacious.

SINN FEIN GUILE,

HOW A PATROL WAS OVERCOME

LONDON, June 7 (Received June 7, 8.50 p.m.i

Sinn Feiners at Carrintohill, in County Cork, overcame a patrol of cyclists by guile. They pretended to be engaged in a game of bowls, and when the patrol cycled past the Sinn Feiners rushed out, overthrew the cyclists, and covered the fallen men with revolvers.

HOME RULE BILL.

CONTROL OF THE POIJCE. LONDON, June 5. In the House of Commons the Government accepted the amendment In the Home Rule Bill providing that the transfer of the Irish Constabulary should not be made until three years after the Bill comes into operation. Mr Walter I>ong promised favourable consideration of a suggestion made by Sir Edward Carson that when the two Parliaments by an identical Act called for the transfer of the Royal Irish Constabulary it should be wound up, the members suitably compensated and schemes for police be framed by both Parliaments. Mr Long also undertook to consider favourably a suggestion that during the transition period the constabulary should be vested in a Minister and not a committee of five as proposed in the Bill.

Mr Long stated that if the forecasts made by many speakers were true anti if the only use to be made by the southern Parliament of its powers was to try to establish a republic or a government unworthy of the name of a Government the Bill would he suspended and would not come into operation, and the Imperial Parliament would be compelled to take such action as was necessary to restore order.