MAY BE WORSE.

Taranaki Daily News, 26 July 1920, Page 5

MAY BE WORSE.

OUTLOOK IN IRELAND. TESSOJUSM RULES THE LAND. FIRMER GOVERNMENT ACTION. By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright. Received July 25, 5.5 p.m. mi. ... . London, July 24. Ine situation in Ireland was discussed m the House of Commons, on the Chief secretary's salary vote. *Mr. T. P. G'Conor said Ireland was steadily descending into the abvss of anarchy and chads, and nobody had done more to create the extremist party than Sir Edward Car/on. He suggested that it was the Ulster movement that swayed the vacillating German mind in favor of war.

Sir Edward Carson retorted that he believed this was an unmitigated lie, and he proceeded to defend Ulster's determination to resist being ground down under the heels of murderers and assassins. He declared that the British Government was entirely beaten in threequarters of Ireland, and he demanded vigorous measures against the treasonable institutions which Sinn Fein was establishing. Sir Hamar Greenwood (Chief Secretary for Ireland), replying, said that fifty-seven arrests had been made in Belfast, and more would be necessary. He would ask the House to pass certain legislation' as soon as possible. The Government. had introduced a Criminal Injuries Bill, which would enable them to intercept every grant from»the Excheauer to any person in r.uthority in Ireland who was acting illegally. "The action of every couneil and other public authority was being examined, and drastic action would be taken to uphold the authority of the Crown. Another Bill, he said, would establish a tribunal superseding Courts which failed in their function at the recent Assizes owing to the .absence of jurors, Who were intimidated by the rule of the revolver. The Government would also submit a Bill enabling the Lord Lieutenant to establish n tribunal to deal quickly with every criminal offence committed in Ireland. He referred to the widespread terrorism which prevented people giving evidence in cases, and the difficulties in the way of laying charges, but under the legislation which was proposed it would be possible to mete out 'mtnishmont in proven cases adequate to the crime. In the meantime, any decision of a Sinn Fein Court, or any 'transfer of a title thereunder, would be illegal, and would be upset as soon as possible. Sir Hamar Greenwood denied there was any coercion in Ireland. There was no soldier there except to preserve life and order. The people of Ireland were terrorised by a few, and it was the Government's duty to break that terror and give the Irish people a chance to voice their real views.

Sir Hamar Greenwood continued: "The situation » bad, and may grow worse, because the forces of the Crown are asserting the Oovernment's authority. I regret to say the House and the United Kingdom must brace itself to face a bitter period in Irish history. There will be a determined and organised attempt to establish an Irish republic by means :>f murder and intimidation, and that attempt will not be abandoned without a struggle." He asserted that it could be defeated by the united determination of all parties and creeds to condemn and resolutely oppose such savage methods. He extended an invitation for representation from every quarter as regards the best way of settling the queation and saving ireland from ruin, and lie concluded a telling speech, with an appeal to the House for united support. A Nationalist motion to reduce the Hiief Secretary's salary was rejected by 181 votes to 42.—Aue.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

"THINGS WILL HAPPEN." PREMIER'S GRAVE WARNING. IMPORTANT CONFERENCE HELD. Received July 26, 12.15 a.m. i London; July 24. 'Mr. Lloyd George presided at an important conference at Downing Street yesterday regarding the Irish question. The conference lasted eight hours, when it was adjourned till Monday. Sir Hamajr GfreenWood says issues wer« decided involving the welfare of millions, and the nrestige of the nation. Mr. Lloyd Georg» said that unless Britain wishes to imperil her existence it is impossible to establish an independent authority in Ireland. He was prepared to discuss plans for a settlement with any responsible leaders of Irish opinion subject to two conditions, namely, we could not agree to secession in the iV ner ' (:an sense, and we must liave self-determination in the northeast. |" Sir. Lloyd George said that the other day he saw a German plan of the submarine sinkings, and it was surprising how many were just outside Ireland, despite the fact that we controlled the harbors. If control had been in .the hands of a hostile authority the position would have been impossible. Therefore, unless we wish to make ourselves defenceless wc cannot move. The Premier said later: "I am very sure things are going to happen in Ireland, and things are going to become verv inuch worse." Referring to the question of a truce raised by Mr. Thomas, Mr. Ronar Law said: "From the verv beginning we only moved troops there because of murders. Stop the murders, and we will remove the troops."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.