THE IRISH CRISIS.

Taranaki Daily News, 8 May 1918, Page 4

THE IRISH CRISIS.

AN TT-CON SCfiIPTIOX DEMONSTRATION. THE APPOINTMENT' OP LOBD FRENCH. Received May 7, 7.45 p.m. , London, May fl. Mr John Dillon and Mr. De Valera' addressed an anti-conscription demonstration, at which 15,000 were present. Mr. Dillon urged that if the Irish kept united for another two months they would defeat conscription. He was convinced this question would destroy the Government. There was an impression that the danger had passed. The Government undoubtedly was staggering, but it would be a disastrous mistake to allow the determination of tin* people to slacken. He suggested tho formation of parish committees attached to every church or chapel. If a struggle were forced upon them, the church -would be the rallying point. If the central organisation were destroyed, instructions would reach the people through the national organisations, especially the priests, for the Church in the supreme hour of national danger had come to the rescue of the people. He was convinced it would take an army which England was ill able to spare to enforce conscription. Mr. De Valera said his followers would 1 unite with the Nationalists to defeat conscription.

Sir Horace Plunkett, in a letter to the press, says there is only one alternative to the Cabinet's disastrous policy 1 of conscription and Home Rule, namely' the immediate establishment of a responsible government in Ireland. The necessary legislation should be passed as a war measure, and immediately thereafter the Irish executive, broadly representative, should be appointed with' the task of establishing a parliament and promoting voluntary recruiting. The Irish people would then quickly show its real attitude to the war, and it would dawn oil Englishmen that pro-Germans were non-existent in Ireland.

There are many newspaper comments; on the appointment of Lord French. The Daily Telegraph considers it indicates that the Government is determined to pursue a strong and firm Irish' policy.

The Morning Post says Lord French, as a moderate Home Ruler, has probably stipulated for a definite effort of tha Government to pass Home Rule before conscription.

The Daily News says the appointment is meant to assure the Conservatives that the Government will enforce com scription. Meantime, the drafting of tho Home Rule Bill proceeds. The Times considers the appointment wholly :ion-political. Lord French is entitled to credit for undertaking a peculiarly difficult task from a sense tit,. duty.—Router.