IRISH CRISIS.

Taranaki Daily News, 1 July 1916, Page 5

IRISH CRISIS.

. UNEASINESS AT HOME. A GRAVE RISK, SPREAD OF SINN FEIXISM. ALARMING STATEMENTS. By Cable—Press Association—Copyright. London, .7 line 28. Lwv! Lnnsdowne and Mr. Walter Long have tendered their resignations. The Daily Chronicle says that though the Ministerial crisis is serious, it is not desperate. Sir Edward Carson and his Ulster colleagues are unwavering in their conviction that a settlement should be effected on the basis of Mr. Lloyd George's proposals. Except the Morning Post and Yorkshire Post, all the leading Unionist journals favor a settlement. Received dune IK.. If) p.m. London, dune HO. In the House of Lords, Lord Salisbury moved a motion asking tJie Government to publish Mr. Lloyd Ooergo's Irish proposals; also to disclose Lord Hardinge's committee's report; and. thirdly, ttie latest information regarding the spread of disaffection in three southern provinces.

The Marquis of Crewe deprecated public discussion as likely to be harmful to national unity. Lord Middlcton insisted upon the gravity of granting; Government powers to an Irish Assembly. If an election were held now, Mr. Redmond would not bring back a third of his following. The result would be a pro-German majority. While the Government was talking the German army in Ireland was growing. Lord T.ansdowne said it was premature to discuss the matter. There were no proposals to discuss y«'t. He added that the Government had certainly authorised consultation-, but tliey were in nowise bound to accept the proposals. The debate in the House of Lords disposes of the rjimors that Lord Lansdowne has resigned. 'Apparently the whole Irish settlement is still in a (luid state. Afr. Lloyd George's proposals were only before Cabinet after the Whitsuntide' holidays, f'lieir examination has not yet been concluded.

The Marquis of Crewe incidentally explained that Mr Lloyd George's proposals were the suggestion of a mediator, not t,ie terms of an arbitrator. A feature of the debate was Lord Salisbury's and Lord Middleton's description of the condition of Ireland, whereof the public was wholly ignorant. They said the position of the loyalists, both unionists and Nationalists, was becoming very precarious in many parts. Sinn Feinisin was becoming the dominant faith in three Nationalist provinces. Alatters were laily growing worse, because the people believed the Government was about to make a complete surrender ' Lord Salisbury stated that a number of rebels, released from prison, had returned to Ireland wearing Sinn Fein uniforms, and were engaged in organising the country against the Government. LLOYD GEORGE'S PROPOSALS A CRITICAL EXAMINATION. Received June 30. 10.50 p.m. London June 30. The Times says that Cabinet is making a detailed, critical examination of Mr. Lloyd George's scheme, paying particular attention to the condition of Ireland for the purpose of providing safeguards for the protection of the Unionists ir the west ami south, and to ensure that the naval and military efforts will in no way be hampered. PUBLIC OPINION. ' UNABLE TO UNDERSTAND THE POSITION. Received June 30, 10.55 p.m. London, June 30. Public opinion is unable to understand the, position-in connection with the Irish negotiations. Newspaper comment... reflect general doubt. The Daily News comments on Lord iLansdowne's caution. It is evident he 'realised the gravity of the moment. The Daily )tai '> how ever > l> r ° test9 against Lord Unsdowne's speech as most mischievous and calculated to cause orave doubts in Ireland as to the good faith of the British Government. The Morning Post says it is now clear that Ministers never imagined they gave Air Lloyd George a free hand to commit them to a cut and dried proposal. Mr Lloyd George had pledged the Cabinet without its authority. He tried the hustling trick and sought to rnsh an Irish settlement. The trick did not come off.