THE IRISH QUESTION.

Taranaki Daily News, 28 June 1918, Page 6

THE IRISH QUESTION.

THE GERMAN PLOT. IRELAND TO PROVE HERSELF. London, June 26. In the House of Comomns, Mr. Shortt, Chief Secretary for Ireland, stated that circumstances in Ireland to-day were complicated and caused anxiety. When Mr. Lloyd George, early in April, explained the Government's Irish policy, there was every appearance that both Home Rule and conscription could be carried to a successful conclusion, but eince then the circumstance's had entire, ly changed, firstly, owing to the discovery of the German plot in Ireland, which was a real and imminent danger to Britain; secondly, because the anticonscription feeling had been used by the extremists in conjunction with the German plot. He did not suggest that any substantial proportion of the anti-conscrip-tionists knew they were being so used. It had been suggested that the plot was a bogus one intended to injure Ireland. He regretted to say that it actually existed. He gave striking examples of German propaganda and intrigue in Ireland. The sources on which the Government relied, both in Ireland and outside, had always proved reliable. He traced the activity of German agents in Ireland from 1911 and since the war. 'Messages not only went to Ireland from German sources, but to Germany from Irish sources. The Government knew that in a certain German port a large amount of ammunition had been loaded into two submarines, and enemy submarines have been seen in localities where the destruction of shipping could not have been their object. The anti-conscription movement had produced a recrudescence of drilling, seditious speeches, outrages, and midnight raids for arms, which entirely unfitted any country for the peaceful settlement of any of its domestic questions. ,

Both Lord French and he, after a thorough investigation jb Ireland, concluded thak it was an absolutely essential preliminary to any form of conscription that Ireland should be given an opportunity voluntarily to take part in the war. The Cabinet adopted that view, hence Lord French's proclamation. Lord French and he had as difficult a problem as ever faced a Minister of the Crown. They would try to do their best, but Would want the help of everybody in Ireland and all parties to secure a settlement.

Mr. Shortt, in reply to a question, said that a certain man mentioned had not been shot. The Government desired to have no more executions if they could ensure the safety of the realm without, but if otherwise, the responsibility would be upon those who forced it upon them. Sir Edward Carson said there Was an unanswerable case for intrdducing conscription in Ireland, but Mr. Lloyd George had proceeded to bribe Ireland by promising immediate Home Rule. It appeared that Irishmen in all parts of Ireland would vindicate their country's honor and take a share in the war of freedom. It was not a question of Ireland assisting England, but of her assisting civilisation to drive bock barbarism. ' He declared that the Roman Catholio hierarchy went to lengths in connection with conscription which no modern civilised community ought to tolerate. — Ans. ST.Z. Cable Assoc.

Mr. Lloyd George, speaking in the Irish debate, emphasised the difficulties and perplexities of the Irish problem. Tt was the problem of governing Ireland without the full assent of the Irish people. Any failures should be viewed indulgently, because the Government was largely pre-occupied with the tremendous responsibility of prosecuting the war.

He believed it was not beyond the capacity of the House to carry through a measure of Home Rule dealing equitably with the legitimate objections of a large part of the Irish community, but the discovery of the recent conspiracy and the antagonism of the Roman Catholic Church towards conscription, constituting a challenge to Imperial supremacy, had antagonised feelings inside Ireland and the House of Commons to Home Rule. Until the atmosphere ere. ated by this challenge was removed it was impossible to attempt Home Rule legislation. The whole temper of the assenting Irish Unionists hail been altered, while the attitude of the Sinn Feiners as regards the pro-German plot was the deadliest blow* to the liberties of Ireland that had occurred in his lifetime.

He was still hopeful that a conciliatory spirit would be recreated, enabling a settlement of the Irish question during the war. Ireland was a war problem so long as a. settlement was not obtained. Our difficulties would be increasing, as would also those of the United States. He appealed to Sir Edward Carson to show the same spirit as he did two years ago and persuade Ulster that it was secure, failing the assent of the people of Ireland to Imperial unity. The Government adhered to the policy proclaimed on April 9, but in the methods of its administration it would be advised by proved administrators. Ireland ought to take her share in the war. We were fighting for the principle for which Ireland had struggled, and therefore he hoped Ireland would voluntarily take her share. It now was the duty of the Government before proceeding further to give her the opportunity of voluntarily going into the struggle. Mr. Asquith, following, agreed as regards -the urgency of an Irish settlement as a necessity of the war. He said, therefore, he would repeat the proposal of fifteen months ago, and asked whether it was not possible to take advantage of the presence of representatives of the great Dominions to bring the matter before them again, and ask them, in the interests of the Empire, to suggest, advise, or present a scheme of settlement which might be acceptable to all parties in Ireland and the people of Great Britain. He did not believe the Imperial War Cabinet could perform a task more vital to the inter- • ests of the Empire and more valuable to the prosecution of the war than to pave the way for a settlement in Irelend.—Reuter. Received June 27, 2.16 p.mLondon, June 2fl.

In the House -,of Commons, in the Irish debate, Mr. Shortt, givinfj details of Germany plotting stated that a German pamphlet printed in IM2 was reprinted recently, and told Irishmen to be ready for the day of a German sea that would toll the death-knell of British rule in Ireland. The crippling of Britain's fleet would mean a joint German'lrish invasion of Ireland. He stated that Germany fomented and partlr s 4autt4 tin -MM rrtfUlen. TbtM

and other seditious appeals were posted up and scattered throughout Ireland. Mr. Shortt then read extracts front the recent Sinn Fein proclamations and speeches wherein it was stated Germany had guaranteed an Irish republic when victorious, and named districts that would receive arms in due course. The proclamation stated: —"If these are un»' available, equip yourselves with pitchforks, scythes, and knives. Who knows but the Kaiser is always on the alert, and may land an army of deliverance in Ireland." The Government ws definitely warned that a rising was planned for May. "Our duty was plain—to strike quickly and hard- We did." Mr- Shortt announced that a proclamation was being issued ordering men who had gone to Ireland to escape cqnseTiption to join up, otherwise they would he liable to arrest and conviction as absentees. Received June 27, 2.35 p.m. London, June 20. In the House of Commons, Mr. Bonar Law, replying to a question whether the Government proposed to take any action in regard to a suggestion that the Imperial Conference might settle the (Home Rule issue, said the Conference had selected its own subjects for discussion. Whether it would consider Home Rule would depend on circumstances. Replying to Mr. Outhwaite's assertion that all Dominion Governments favpred Home Rule, Mr. Bonar Law said he believed the reverse was rather the case Mr. Dillon, speaking at Dublin, said the recruiting committees would not receive the support of the Catholic Church or the National Party until Irishmen governed their own country. AN UNACCEPTABLE PROPOSAL. Received June 27, 7.55 p.m. London", June 26. Ceneral Smuts' proposal of May 19, that the Imperial Conference deal with ■ the Home Rule question is generally not acceptable to the delegates, for fear of provoking dissention in their own dominions. The proposal will probably be dropped.—Press Assoc.