IRISH ANARCHY.

Taranaki Daily News, 30 April 1921, Page 5

IRISH ANARCHY.

TERRORISM CROWING.

SINISTER PLOT REVEALED.

ANGRY DEBATE IN COMMONS.

By Telegraph.—Press J ssn.—Copyright.

London, April 28. In the House of Commons, Sir Hamar Greenwood (Chief Secretary for Ireland). in moving the Irish vote, said he regretted that owing to Sinn Fein threats of death many newspaper correspondents had been compelled to leave Ireland. * The discipline of the Crown forces was good. Sinn Fein headquarters had issued orders to shoot them at sight. The virulence of the conspiracy had increased by bomb-throwing in the* streets, the wrecking and burning of trains, and the kidnapping of women. He profoundly regretted that he had been unable to protect innocent people. One of Sinn Fein’s new methods was the persecution of Protestants. 15 of whom had been done to death without rhyme or reason, while there was a systematic campaign against ex-service men. Mr. J. M. Kenworthy (Liberal) having interrupted several times, Sir Hamar Greenwood retorted: “Tt does not lie in* your mouth to find fault, when I have intercepted a letter from Michael Collins, organiser of all the bloodshed, linking you as the mouthpiece of Sinn Fein in this House.” (Cheers). Mr. Kenworthy replied: “There is not a word of truth in it.”

ACT TO BE ENFORCED.

Sir Hamar Greenwood, proceeding, stated that a document in his possession showed that the extremists contemplated sinister action in Ulster, but the election would be held in the North and South on May 24 under military and police protection, for he would not allow the Act of .Parliament to be torn

.up. Mr. Asquith (Liberal Leader) said Sir Hamar Greenwood's statement was an admission of complete failure of the Government’s Irish policy of meeting crime by crime and inflicting unmerited outrage upon the innocent. It was contrary to all the traditions of civilised warfare. It was incredible that such a stain should be east on the honor of the executive of the Crown. Recent events had proved that discipline in places was out of hand, demoralised and criminally reckless of human life. They were not contesting the campaign of crime with clean hands. The only remedy he could suggest was the disbandment of the force and to rely on the old established forces of the Crown.

PREMIER’S SPIRITED REPLY.

Sir Edward Carson (Unionist), said he was glad the Government intended to set up two Parliaments without delay and have the courage to go straight on. Under existing conditions the relations between the North and South were growing steadily worse. . Mr. Lloyd George, in a spirited defence of the Crown Forces, said they had been abused. “I am now going to defend and encourage them.” he added. “The mistakes of auxiliaries have been blazoned abroad to encourage 'our enemies and calumnate those who were simply doing their duty. What alternative was there to the Government’s policy except complete surrender to Sinn Fein?”

Mr. Lloyd George emphasised that opponents of the Government made no protest against the hundred police who were killed without a single prosecution being possible. Only then did the police defend themselves.

Mr. Dan Irving (Socialist), interrupted: “That’s a lie.” Mr. Irving repeated the exclamation twice and was called upon to withdraw it, but he obstinately refused until told to leave the House. Mr. Irving remained still, but his Labor colleagues urged him to apologise. So he rose, and said he had all along protested against these outrages.

Mr. Lloyd George continued: “I will willingly meet any representative Irishman who is not under suspicion of murder, to discuss terms of a settlement without laying down any preliminary conditions.”. —Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.