IRELAND.

Taranaki Daily News, 14 February 1920, Page 3

IRELAND.

'A SINN FEDf YIEFPOINT,

"ALWAYS HOSTILE TO ENGLAND." By Telegrath.—Tress Assn.—Copyright London, Feb. 17. The Australian Press Association representative had an exclusive interview with Mr. Griffiths, acting-President of the so-called Irish Republic. Mr. Griffiths declared that 75. per cent, of the urban bodies in Ireland had recognised till© Republic and all the corporation except Belfast had elected Mayors, but refused to elect Sheriffs, because the final choice of these officials rests with the British Government. He bitterly complained of flie conduct of the Irish Constabulary, who were not policemen in the ordinarv sense but armed men with guns, bayonets and- bombs living in fortified barracks, whose business it was to hold Ireland for the British. Mr Movd George was under a , wrong impression in suggesting that the jicople of Ireland went in danger of their lives. There had always been P- remarkable absence of robberies, sex and other crimes in Ireland until the ex-soldicr? upturned. In order to deal with those crimes Sinn Fein had appointed local vigilance committees. These committees were investigating and were successfully coping with the situation until raided and suppressed by the constabulary. . Mr. Griffiths added angrily: "We are not goincr to denounce anyone who resorts to violent action into which they ■ are rmailed *by the nets of the Government." Dealing with the British viewpoint tiiat a hostile Ireland on her flank would constitute a danger to tho country, Mr. Griffiths said: "If Ireland is ns stated tV kev to the Atlantic, it can onlv- mean that Ireland is used as a menace to America. So far as we are eoneprned we shall always bo hostile to Ensdnnd until free. We have no reason to be hostile to anv country which does not threaten our indenendence The security of Europe, America, and the world demands the independence of Ireland." NO AGREEMENT. Tn response to close questioning by the Association. Representative, Mr. Griffiths «aii! flint he' was not prepared to make any offer regarding any possible basis of agreement. He agreed ! England's physical possession of 'i,™ a - but Ireland could not offer guarantees in substitution for this. Thev would willinglv, howeves, discuss the application of'a Monroe doctrine to Ireland if independence was promised. He did not contemplate any action before the League of Nations, which hp rprrjinled l) P i n jr un . dev the thumb of England. There had been no recent approach by the British Government to find a way out of the impasse. He could not anticipate what the Sinn Fein action would be if, a Parliament were established in Dublin. Mr. MacNeill, member of the House of Commons for Londonderry', who is accompanying Mr. Griffiths, replving to a question as to whether the Sinn • Fein policy "would ho to aooopt find to trv to improve the Home Rule Act when passed, merely said; "We are entitled to take advantage of any situation created- and to make the best of it until independence is gained." He pointed out that the Republic had been ' erected Under English machinery ftnd was using English machinery through the local councils. Mr. MacNeill added: "Remember America worked out ;t.o independence under its English constitution." FREE FIGHT AT A MEETING. Referring to guarantees against the use of Ireland by an enemy country, he said he hud no guarantees to offer, except good faith and economic tics, which were the strongest of all. Ho could not countenance English naval bases in Ireland under the Republic. Mj. Griffiths was the principal speaker at a crowded meeting in the Albert nail convened for the purpose of demanding recognition for thu Irish Republic/. Disturbances began when the chairman said that England was the only country opposing recognition of the Republic. A man was ejected, and after further disturbances the chairman announced that ho had appointed 250 trained stewards to deal with any turbanceA speaker then moved a resolution demanding recognition of the Republic. The disorder increased and the stewards attempted to quell the interruptions. Tho free fight continued until the interrupters ware, ftieotacL-nUv-w"*