IRISH AFFAIRS.

Taihape Daily Times, Volume XII, Issue 3638, 26 November 1920, Page 5

IRISH AFFAIRS.

DEBATE IN THE COMMONS. MOTION BY MR ASQUITH. * . • ' MURDERS CONDEMNED AND ~ REPRISALS DEPLORED. J STIRRING REPLY BY SIR HAMAR GREENWOOD. ;■ '■ i " "..■ |. THE MOTION REJECTED. LQNDON. Nov. 2?. In the House of Commons, M* Asquith moved “That the House condemns the outrages committed against the forces of the Crown and civilians in Ireland, and expresses deep abhorrence at the brutal assassination of officers and other British subjects in Dublin on Sunday”; “That the House deplores and condemns the action of the Executive in attempting to, repress crime by methods of terrorism and repisals, which involve the liVes of innocents and contrary .to civilised usage.’'* Mr Asquith said the dead officers in the fullest sense of the word were martyrs to public duty. It was a satisfaction to know that those arrested would suffer the extreme penalty. The of civilians by stating that if officers of the Crown were hit they were entitled to hit back, hut this hypothesis only covered a small part of the ground. It was evident that the forces of the Crown were engagd in a systmatic way, upon the destruction of creameries, shops, and homes, without regard to the innocence or guilt of the sufferers. Evidence was overwhelming that reprisals were organised by police and military. Thus the Government was destroying moderate' opinion and’ poisoning the atmosphere- of Ireland. Sir Hamar Greenwood, replying, welcomed Mr Asquith ? s condemnation of the murders of soldiers, which had not been-so conspicuous in speeches as he should have liked. He denounced the London Liberal Federation, of which Mr Asquith wps, president,, for issuing bulletins of the Irish murder

gangs, who also had their xepresenta-

- tives in the lobby. This was a loathf some alliance. (Consideable 'interruption and cries of “names *’). Members on Ministerial benches retorted: some of you seem very nnasy. (Laughter). Sir Hamar Greenwood proceeded by saying that, fpm Mr . Asquith’s speech one would think soldiers were going about Ireland • slaying and burning. As a fact, three-quarters of Ireland was a peaceful as Kent, because the forces of the Crown were breaking terrorism. Out of 710 creameries, it was only alleged that forty-one had been damaged, of which some had been used as ambushes. He did not want to see a law passed enabling the police to arrest or shoot anybody found with arms in his hands, but no other country in the world would have stood what Britain was standing. Sinn Fein courts had now disappeared, the boycott had been broken, intimidation was going, hunge-striking was finished, and the Republican army was being broken Up. The only issue remaining was who was for the Empire and who -i was for assassins? (Cheer),

Mr J. R. Clynes said the Government should put upon the Irish people the ’responsibility for the Government of Ireland. ’ *7 Mr Asquith’s motion was rejected by 303 to 83. & Mr John Ward’s amendment, denouncing terrorism, thanking, the forces of the Croyn for the courage and devotion, ‘and expressing confidence in the Government’s policy, was carried without division. THE MURDERED OFFICERS. IMPRESSIVE SCENE IN DUBLIN. Received 9.40 a.m, LONDON, Nov. 25. Business in Dublin was suspended during' the procession in connections with the funeral of the murdered officers. Huge crowds along the route from the hospital to the North Wall stood with bared heads. More than a thousand troops and representatives of 'Crown units stationed ip Dublin participated in the procession, which, was Headed by a band and. ten gun-car-riages carrying Che bodies. Other bands marched in the procession, and aeroplanes flew overhead. At North Wall, * while the coffins were being embarked, a firing party presented arms, and “The Last Post’’ was sounded as the destroyers left for England. There will be a procession in London to-morrow. At Westminster Abbey the procession divides, and the bodies of the three Catholic officers will be taken to Westminster Cathedral, memorial services being held in both places, Mr. Lloyd George will 'attend the Abbey, and Sir Hamar Greenwood the Cathedral. Lord Horne will represent the King at the Abbey, and Earl Cavan! at jthe Cathedral. Sir Hamar Greenwood walks behind, the last gun-carriage from Euaton Station to the Abbey.