IRELAND.

Taranaki Daily News, 22 October 1920, Page 5

IRELAND.

NO REPRISALS POLICY. '-•ONSPIRACY AGAINST BRITm H Ttlegraph.—Pitw A»sn.-CopjT!gh». Received Oct. SI, 5.6 p.m. London, Oct. 20. In the House of Commons, Mr. Arthur Henderson (Labor member for Widnes), In a motion demanding an inquiry into reprisals by soldiers and police in Ireland, attributed the Sinn Fein outrages largely to the repressive character of the Government's administration. He believed the present reprisals were part of a deliberate campaign to stamp out the National Government. Sir Hamar Greenwood (Chief Secretary for Ireland), in reply, said the : present situation was an organised and highly Mid conspiracy to smash the Srlttih Empire. Mr. Henderson's source ;#l Uformation w M the headquarters of ■ til* Irian republican army, and the House must mate up its mind whether stt would accept information from a band of assassins. He defended the Roya} Irish Constabulary against the aujgeetion that they were a band of atsassins; fie had yet to learn of an Wtnenticated case of reprisals by these *Den.~Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

Sir Hamar Greenwood stated that the Kblem of the campaign of murder in land had now been narrowed down few counties in the West and Dublin, and the reign of terror was being broken. He foresaw an early end to the aataaiina' rule.

He admitted reprisals in the case of *he murder of Inspector Brady. When fcU men «aw him lying wounded they taf red and burned the shops of three notorious Sinn Feiners. He regretted a certain breaETh discipline in Balbriggan, ***» ifen saw the mutilation and ■eath of lve gallant officers. The Government knew hundreds of assassins and Would track down every one. He would take Ireland from end to end in the •eareh for arms.

Mr. Aiquith said he did not deny that 4h» polie* and the military were entitled to hit back. When hit It was their duty to adopt self defence; but on prima facie evidence thev had gone far bevpnd the limits of se'lf defance, and had carried out reprisals Which were a crime and an outrage against unoffending and innocent people. Mr. Bonar Law denounced the motion, we»use it did not contain a word condemning atrocities and murders by Sinn Fewer*. Ministers and representative* Of the Crown in Ireland had denounced teprisals. There had been a great reduction in number of reprisals since, but the soldiers and police on whom the Government depended must not have raason to doubt they were backed up in every legitimate way. It would be impossibte to have a fair inquiry respecting reprisals; one who would commit murder would swear anything. Mr. Henderson's motion was negatived by 348 votes to 79.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable A«d,

PREFERS CIVIL WAR. TO PEACE BY REPRISALS. Received Oct. 21, 5.5 p.m. London, Oct. fiO. Lord Crewe, in the House of Lords, said he would sooner see civil war in Ireland than that the countrv should be apparently pacified by reprisals. He urged the appointment of a commission vt inquiry, with General Allenby or General Plumer presiding. Lord Curzon stated that the Government declined to appoint a commission of inquiry. What sort of evidence would a commission get? The Sinn Fein campaign of murder would be followed by a campaign of perjury. A Sinn Femer would perjure his soul fifty times to get a policeman's life. Lord Crewe withdrew the motion Atts.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

LEADER OF ASSASSINS. SUSPECTED MAN ARRESTED. Received Oct. 21, 7.20 p.m. London, Oct. 20. According to a message from St. Helier (Jersey) the police have arrested an Irishman who i s suspected to be Qanie! Breen. He is proprietor of a cafe, and it is believed the man answers Breen'» description. The man gave evasive replies to police questions, and later admitted he had given false information.. He had taken c ticket for France, and he denies he was connected with Sinn Fein. He will be sent to England.-Aus.-N.Z. ffable Assn.

A reward of £IOOB was recently offered for information resulting in the arrest of a Sinn Fein general, Daniel Breen. a?ed 27. formerly a laborer, and described as commandant' of the 3rd Tlpperary Brigade of the Republican Army. He is a fanatic of sulky appearance, and the leader of a gang specialising in murderous outrages, flceen is wanted on several charges of murder, including a recent incident when Breen escaped by jumping from a window to a greenhouse, injuring a I*3-

STATEMENT BY IRISH BISHOPS. London, Oct. 20. The Irish Bishops of Maynooth have Issued a statement that where terrorIsm, partiality and failure to apply the principles of government are rampant, it is impossible to uphold the law of God. On a scale truly appalling must be reckoned the countless indiscriminate raids and arrests in the darkness of night, prolonged imprisonment without trial, savage sentences from tribunals that do not command and do not deserve confidence, burning of houses and crops and desruetion of indnstries to pave tie way for want and famine, by men maddened with plundered drink and bent on floggings and massacres of civilians —all perpetrated by the forces of the Crown.

Referring to Ulster, the Bishops say: "The plausible sentiment about not coercing TJlater i» founded on a false pretence which, if pressed, will, we warn the Government, bring danger of bitter «id prolonged civil strife."—Aua.-NX Cable Assn.