THE IRISH PROBLEM

Taranaki Daily News, 25 October 1917, Page 5

THE IRISH PROBLEM

MR. REDMOND'S MOTION. CHIEF SECRETARY JUSTIFIES POLICY. GERMANS FOSTERING REBELLION, SINN FEINERS AT WORK. Received Oct. 24, 8.40 p.m. London, Oct. 23. In the House of Commons, Mr. Redmond moved deploring the Irish Executive's policy, also the Irish military policy, especially in view of the necessity for creating an atmosphere favorable to the Convention. Mr. Redmond said the Irish situation was extremely grave, and only the success Cf the Convention would prevent a period of chaos and anarchy unprecedented for a century. The existing policy was the greatest danger to the Convention. It was widely believed in Ireland that certain people in England and Ireland would gladly see tha Convention destroyed, hoping that Ireland's laßt liopo of selfgovernment would perish in the result, ant anarchy, and, perhaps, bloodshed. He acquitted the Irish Unionists of the responsibility for this condition of affairs. The Convention proceedings had been without any bitterness. The discussions had now reached a critical stage. Many of the authorities' acts were provocations, irritating, and causing a growth of Sinn Feinism. He moved the motion in order to urge Mr. Duko (the Chief Secretary) to exercise a controlling power.

Mr. I-I. E. 'Duke replied, stating that every act and policy had been justified, otherwise order would not have been maintained. The Government's one desire was to create an atmosphere of goodwill. He pointed to Ireland's present prosperity and practical immunity from the misery afflicting the rest of the World, yet the Empire's avowed enemies had enrolled 200,000 young Irishmen in order to create a new rebellion. Parliament, with unprecedented magnanimity, considered that until Ireland had received her promised self government it had not the right to force conscription. Tho Sinn Feiners declined to participate in the Convention, but there had been a hurricane of fire of rebel oratory throughout the country. There had also been steady organisation in every parish of tho new rebel force, who bad been told there was a considerable quantity of arms ready, and more when the fatal day comes. Whence come these arms? The helping hand which brought about the rebellion in 191-G was Germany's. When it became necessary, in February, to deport persons engaged in conspiring, it was because Germany's band was again held out, and the Government knew it. The Government could not ignore the organisation of this volunteer "orce or its declared purpose. The Sinn Fein leaders aimed to defeat the Convention.

Mr. Asquith hoped that nothing would be dono to defeat the Convention.

Mr. Redmond's motion was defeated by 211 votes to 78.

SITUATION MOST DIFFICULT. SINN FEINERS WANT SECESSION. THE PREMIER'S UNDERTAKING. Received Oct. 24, 11 p.m. London, Oct. 21. Mr. Lloyd George said the situation in Ireland was most difficult and most deli - 'cate. Mr. Duke had striven his utmost to avoid any provocation which would endanger the usefulness of <&c Convention. Devalera's speeches were coldblooded incitements to rebellion. It was l.essential that the' Government -should give a clear indication that they would not allow such speeches to bo repeated. Germany once nearly succeeded in landing arms in Ireland in aid of the rehellion. The Government knew that arrangements were being made by Germany to land arms again from There had been a deliberate attempt to jnlist, enrol, and organise hundreds of ■thousands of young Irishmen preparatory to the rebellion. If they had been Englishmen they would have' been compulsorily enlisted in the army. The Sinn Feiners' idea of Homo Rule was not selfgovernment, but complete secession from England. We could not possibly agree to that. (Cheers.) Ho was willing to give an undertaking that if the Convention arrived at a substantial agreement the Government would use its whole power to put it into an Act of Parliament. Such a Bill would be carried through immediately.

Mr. Dillon interjected: This is very important. Will tho Prime Minister pledge the Government immediately the Convention comes to an agreement to embody it in a Bill and pass it through Parliament as soon as possible? Mr. Lloyd George: Certainly. This has always been the Government's intention.