IRISH AFFAIRS.

Taihape Daily Times, 22 June 1918, Page 5

IRISH AFFAIRS.

HOME RULE AND CONSCRIPTION

SIDE-TRACKED. OWING TO SINN FEIN ACTIVITIES. IMPORTANT STATEMENT BY LORD CURZON. Received 8.50 a.m. LONDON, June 21. In the debate in the House of Lords on the Irish question, Lord Wdmiborne said he knew the extreme section of the oTnn Fein was willing to avail itself of German assistance. Germany also had agents in Ireland supplementing anti-British activities with money. Submarines ; were skulking around the coast seeking" to land arms, and there were rumours the Germans were atfemptiffi to land men. To this extent he believed there was a plot, but the Irish executive was not' aware of any further plot until the British Government discovered itLord Wimborne would ■ like to know more about it. Lord Curzon said in view of the Sinn Feiners' conspiracy and the action, of the Irish clergy, though the Government had not changed front, they recognised the new facts and tried to adjust their policy to the circumstances. Lord Curzon defended voluntary recruiting, and admitted the condition in Ireland was grave, but the arrest of • the Sinn Feiners had produced a feeling of relief which the Nationalists shared. , v ■ Lord .Curzon's speech caused a sensation in the lobbies, and made it clear the Government had sidetracked Home Rule and conscription. Incidentally, Lord Curzon : said under the present circumstances of crime, lawlessness and and agitation in Ireland the preparation of the Home Rule Bill, which there was no chance of anyone accepting, would be not statesmanship, but folly; it would almost amount to a crime. The Daily News says Lord Curzon's speech means that Home Rule is dead and conscription is dead. The Irish question ought to be referred to the judgment of the Imperial statesmen now in London.

THE IRISH DEPORTEES. Received 9.45 a.m. LONDON, June ,21. Mr. Shortt, answering Mr. Outhwaite, said there was sufficient evidence against the Irish deportees to prove a charge of treason, but prosecution is not considered necessary or advisable.