OUTLOOK IN IRELAND.

Taranaki Daily News, 26 February 1918, Page 6

OUTLOOK IN IRELAND.

SETTLEMENT HOPEFUL. MR. DUKE ON THE SINN FEIN. London, Nov. 20. A representative uf the Australian Press Association who is at present visiting Ireland, writes:—"Members of the Irish executive have assured me they are most, anxious not to provoke a disturbance, even permitting violent speeches to pass without prosecutions, unless they are a direct incitement to violence. The belief is general in Ireland that any attempt to enforce conscription would cause an immediate collision, still further embittering relations. The military are completely prepared to meet any emergency, but are determined not to initiate provocation. All Ireland is looking with expectancy to the Convention settling the complex problem. It is a hopeful sign that the religious question is no longer the stumbling block. "Although violent Sinn Feiners declare that Ireland is governed by the sword, there is no doubt the country today enjoys a greater measure of freedom than any part of the United Kingdom. food and drink are more plentiful than in England, and the industries, particularly agriculture, were never more prosperous. The United Kingdom has increased the acreage under tillage during the war period by 1,000,000 acres, to which Ireland's contribution is 700,000 acres. Side by side with tiiis agricultural prosperity discontent flourishes, fanned by agitators, who are doing,their best to provoke an autbreak of disorder by defying the authorities. The executive has been sharply criticised for taking undue risks, but the conditions since the rebellion have materially changed. There is now an adequate military establishment, and the revolutionaries no longer are allowed license for armed assembly. Inquiries a along various sections show that Ireland does not want (another revolution. The level-headed men and priests who are entering the Sinn Fein movement represent that they are doing so with the object of influencing a control over the organisation. Very few of these favor Sinn Fein's professed aims, namely, the establishment of a Republic, -with a voice in the peace ,/erenee. Eighth' or wrongly, there is prevalent belief that the question of fiscal relations is one of the most difficult in the business of settlement. ~ "It is xuggest'.'d 'in some quarters that even if the Convention fails to reach a settlement immediately it should be given another chance. Some suggest that an adjournment for a couple of months might be desirable if it should become necessary. "I had an opportunity to-day of discussing the situation with the Chief j Secretary (Mr. Duke), a kindly, sympa- J thetic man, who is determined to assist in a settlement. Mr. Duke said, "Our' policy is to keep peace—not to break it. ourselves, and, as far as lies in our control, we will not allow others to break it. The Irish question, in my opinion, is ripe for a settlement, and is capable of a settlement. It is my firm belief it should be settled now on * basis far more advantageous for the permanent well-being of Ireland, flreat Britain and the Empire, than any plan ever formulated by O'Connell or Parnell, The way is open now for Ireland's participation in the Kmpire in as beneficial a measure as is enjoyed by any of the Dominions of the Crown. For a good many months the outstanding obstacle to a settlement has been the criminal fully of a comparatively small revolutionary party in - Ireland, backed up by accomplices outside Or oat Britain on the Continent of Europe and elsewhere, and the laxity wjth whieh some classes of patriotic Irishmen have allowed themselves to be carried away on the wave of a sensational but sui?", 1 ".! movement." "Mr. Duke went on to discuss Sinn ■ Fein. He said: "One of the points of its policy is to close Irish ports against Great Britain and the Empire, yet the whole of the commercial and industrial Ireland is urging day by day the necessity for increased facilities, whieh can be" given only under the protection of the British Navy. Sinn Fein's most practical proposal at the moment, apart from drilling and arming, is that the Irish producers should withhold their products from the British markets. The Irish producer is a shrewd man of business. He knows that a sure place for the profitable disposal of the fruits of his industry is the markets of Great Britain, which, moreover, are the only 1 markets it is at present possible for him to reach, "There is a more profound question. The Catholic religion, to whieh the mass ; of the Irish people are devoted, pro- ■ claims Ihe duty of obedience to constituted authority. Sinn Fein extremists profess to have discovered that duty is ' disobedience of constituted authority, irrespective of the nature of the <>o~ vernment or the character of the ques--1 tions at issue between the Government ! and themselves." ! "Mr. Duke concluded: Upon moral • and material considerations which affect [ the whole future of the Irish people in f Ireland, Sinn Fein is being ! the community to which it is making its 1 appeal. I do not despair of the com- ' munity's wise judgment.' "I, also interviewed Sir Bryan Ma- ; hon, Commander-in-Chief in Ireland, s who, according to Nationalists and Sinn - Feiners alike, handle,! the situation with , tact, winning admiration from even the i bitterest elements in the physical-force r party. Sir Bryan MaJion is a quiet, un- ? assuming, Soldierly Irishman, and he re- ; ceived me in a barrack-like office at i headquarters. lie spoke f ?!<iv/ingly of 1 the Australians' valor and gallantry, - having had many opportunities of wit- > ncssing their lira very. Me told m? that • many Australians had served under him ■ in South Africa, where he had freqnent- . ly visited them, and witnessed mnnv in- , stances of their splendid ga-Vlan'try. r Irishmen of all creeds and classes had followed with interest and admiration . Australia's part in the war. They were > proud to know that Irish names loomed • big in the Australian'honor lists, and , tlveir sympathy went out to Australian ■ families of Irish descent, whose loved . ones had made the supreme sacrifice.