IRISH AFFAIRS.

Taranaki Daily News, 15 March 1918, Page 5

IRISH AFFAIRS.

A DANGER TO THE EMPIRE. •STRONGER MEASURES DEMANDED. London, March 13. lord Salisbury, in the House of Lords, moved that the present situation in Ireland had become a danger to the I'.mpire, and a menace to successful prosocution of the war, to life and property and calling on the Government to •■■•nforce the law. He paid a tribute to the Government's; efforts, but said that the existing treason, disloyalty and anarchy an dthe attitude towards the war proved the danger of establishing any form of self-govern-ment in Ireland.

Ho instanced the victimisation of =oldicrs, the destruction of bridges, insults to tho National Anthem and the demonstration against American sailors

Lord Salisbury declared that the trouble was all due to administrative feebleness The Government had been afraid to touch the leaders, and anarchy had now reached a point which was 'intolerable in any civilised country. The conditions wore much worse than the pnbiic was permitted to know. Disorder had spread far beyond Glare and was now rampant in Limerick, Tipperary and Galway and would become more yenc-ral unless put down in Mcatli. He warned the Government of Sinn Fein at. tempts to create a republic. The federal solution was tho only solution, but the Government meanwhile must maintain order

Lord Sydenham criticised the Government's negligence and apathy in Ireland. The position was largely due to German influence.

Lord Curzon, replying, gave an assurance th;it the Government would take no steps leading to Irish separation. Mr. Duke had the Government's unqualified "iipport. Sinn Feiniam had.rarely overstepped the marl? until December. The ■imitators' could ba treated wiih eontempt from a. millitary point of view, There had been many arrests and prosecutions, but the lawlessness fjernted.

Lord Curzon acknowledged the Irish Catholic bishops' assistance in order to sim Ireland from lawlessness and civil war. Armed force could easily be applied, but the results would bo incalculable and might accelerate, not stifle the conflagration. 'Political agitation h»4 been replaced during the last few months by criminal conspiracy and an earlier attempt to use force would not have carried public opinion with it. The miliary had now been given full power in the disturbed area with instructions to disperse meetings of agitators, arrest the leaders and strike at disorder. Lord Curzon regretted the painful necessity. Lord French's report confirmed' the Government view. As the result of strong action the disturbance had boiled over, and had not yet eooled. He could not say hpw long military measures would be necessary, but the Government was determined to enforce; the law. Tho Government policy might not be heroic, but was sanity and common-sens*.

Lord Relbome said the Government's policy had been disastrous. The government had not taken adequate measures. Lord Lanfidowne said a disquieting feature of the disorder was the outburst of agreement with the enemy. Recent acts in Ireland amounted to rebellion.

Lord Salisbury withdrew his motion in view of Lord Cnrzon's assurance.

The Dnb'in correspondent of the Daily Xews states that many Irishmen expeet Mr Dillon's first actum will be to renew the advances made recently to Sinn Feiners not to contest by-elections until the funeral election, when it will be possible to test the feeling of the country. Mr. Dillon passionately desired to restore unity of national endeavor and Sinn Fein may now be willing to meet him half way.