IRISH AFFAIRS.

Taihape Daily Times, 6 June 1918, Page 4

IRISH AFFAIRS.

LORD FRENCH'S SCHEME PRAISED. DILLON'S OPINION. —• : 4 Received 9.5 a.m. a LONDON, June 5. The Daily Telegraph's Dublin co*e. spondent says. Lord French's tact in framing the proclamation is.praised* and the spirit of conciliation and good, will displayed is generally approved* Some Unionists criticise the scheme on the ground it errs on the side of generosity. There are over 400,000 unmarried males of military age, of whom 250,000 are engaged in agriculture, so it is obvious they can provide fifty thousand recruits readily. Mr. Dillon, interviewed, said: The only thing I can say at present is that it is a very unfortunate situation for Ireland, mainly as a result of the Government's blunders and mismanagement. Mischief-makers have taken full advantage of these blunders, but their efforts would be fruitless if the Gov. ernment acted with sympathy. I cannot see any marked sign of a change in the mind of the Government, whoso* appeals are entirely blind to the fact that you cannot secure the support of a people unless you convince 'them that you respect and trust them. The Irish can never be dragooned and bullied into loyal friendship with Eng. land. The Government undoubtedly did a wise thing in abandoning the attempt to enforce conscription. The success of Lord French's depends entirely upon the extent to which the Government reverse their Irish policy. The Daily Telegraph states the Catholic clergy say the success ofi Lord French's scheme depends on the Government giving Ireland a generoug measure of Home Rule.

ADVERSE CRITICISM. .. t Received 10.15 a.m. LONDON, June 5. The Morning Post denounces the bribe to the Sinn Feiners, and asks If the offer is retrospective and where the land will be got. It also points out that if retrospective there are already fifty thousand Ulstermen. who may be claimants. Debating the third reading of the Soldiers' Land Settlement Bill in the House of Commons, Mr. Hamar Greenwood sharply criticised the discrimination in favour of Irishmen shown in Lord French's proclamation. Mr* Greenwood said nothing was more sure to cause disorder in the Army than this coaxing of Irishmen to do their duty. We are treating the Brit, ish soldiers and sailors worse than tb> Irish.