The Daily News. THURSDAY, MARCH 7, 1918. OUTRAGES IN IRELAND.
History knows no period when Ireland has been without a rebellious element, so that in considering the question of Irish troubles that fact should always be remembered. In Ireland, as elsewhere, there is a mixture of good, bad and indifferent people—and a good proportion of the best, bravest and most intelligent men and women mat can be found anywhere. The trouble has been, is, and will be with the unruly, lawless section' of tile community to whom outrages are the breath of life. Under various name--—Fenians, \>mteboys, Ribbonites, and Sinn Feiners—theSe irreconcilable spirits have caused endless trouble and committed innumerable crimes, being emboldened thereto by the timorous policy of the British Government. Of late Sinn Feinism has been rampant, and in County Clare has necessitated the institution of martial law, apparently the only-effec-tive means for dealing with the evil. This Sinn Fein movement had for its chief objects the stoppage of recruiting in Ireland, and opposition to all Irish Parliamentary parties. In its manifestations it seemed harmless, but the rebellious spirit soon became manifest ,and has developed into a serious menace to the future of the country. The meaning of "Sinn Fein" is "ourselves alone," and that should sufficiently explain the lawless nature of the participants in the movement. Ostensibly the Sinn Feiners are pledged to secure the independence of Ireland, and their existence as an organisation, therefore, depends on a state of ferment prevailing in the country. A pacified and satisfied Ireland would necessarily deprive chese criminals of a reason for existence. The advent of the war was the signal for increased :. .ivity amongst these agitators and they have certainly made the utmost use of their opportunities to do all the harm in their power, including intriguing with the enemy. The crux of the present outbreak, however, is that the Sinn Feiners are striving to prevent the Convention from solving the Irish problem, hence uie efforts to arouse the English authorities to adopt harsh measures and so bring the labors of the Convention to nought. Thus we find two forces acting, one ior strife and the other for a peaceful solution of Irish troubles. Hence the need for the utmost restraint on the part of the authorities, for the future peace of the country is at stake. Among the rank and file of the Sinn Feiners are numerous malcontents who, inspired by bitter hatred of England, by love of excitement or gain, are ready and willing to embark on any seditious enterprise or to commit any outrage. Prior to America joining in the war, considerable funds came from that quarter, and it is clear that in Germany the spirit of Sinn Feinism had always a congenial ally. To add to the complication, the Sinn Feiners raised a volunteer army numbering thirteen thousand, though they were obdurate in their campaign against recruiting for the war. Aide by the weakness of the Government, they scattered sedition throughout Ireland and joined hands with the citizen army which was pledged to work for an Irish Republic. Under the circumstances it is obvious that the Government must be firm, if only to give the Convention a fair chance of arriving at a satisfactory conclusion of its delicate but very very important task. It is an extremely difficult situation that has arisen, but there should be no vacillation, otherwise it would be eonstrued as an act of weakness. It is absolutely impossible to treat the Sinn Feiners as otherwise than lawless irreconcilables, and the task of the Government is to maintain law and order without arousing the hostility of the saner parties in Ireland. Conditions in Ireland .are difficult of comprehension except to those having a personal and intimate acquaintance with the Irish people of all classes. Undoubtedly the disaffected portion of the community number many of the hopelessly poor, but even these have many redeeming qualities when unconnected with rebellious organisations. This rebellious element has connecting links through several centuries, being an inheritance of woe that has left its trail on the history of the unhappy country. Neither RapubUo nor
self-government will remove this bud
blood, but the people themselves--Unit is, those who are nut permeated with the fend of hate of all tilings English—have it in their power to gradually stamp out this inherent love of violence, lawlessness and outrage by going to the root of the evil and exorcising the demons of ignorance and superstition. The Trish may be led to the paths of peace and serenity, but they will not be driven, for the evil is centuries old'and requires special treatment. There is no Reason why Ireland should not be prosperous and contented, bub the people must first learn to be as enterprising in Ireland itself as they are when they settle in other lands for finer citizens cannot lie wished for than (hey prove to he in the Dominions and elsewhere. It must be a source of great regret to these sterling Irish residents beyond the seas to know that these outrages are being committed by a section of their countrymen at Home. The great mass of the people are, without doubt, desirous of seeing Ireland happy and prosperous and they may well back up the efforts of the authorities, to stamp out the outrages, which can only retard the welfare of the country generally. There have been many administrative blunders in the past, [but now that a genuine effort is being wade to remedy the legitimate grievances there is not the slightest excuse for lawlessness, which must be firmly repressed in the best interests of the whole nation.
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Taranaki Daily News, 7 March 1918, Page 4
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939The Daily News. THURSDAY, MARCH 7, 1918. OUTRAGES IN IRELAND. Taranaki Daily News, 7 March 1918, Page 4
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