IRISH ISSUE.

Taranaki Daily News, 16 February 1922, Page 5

IRISH ISSUE.

A GRAVE PERIOD. SETTLEMENT AT STAKE. TREATY IN DANGER Tehgrapb.*—Pram Ana -Copyright. Received Feb. 15, 5.5 p.m. London, Feb. 14. Lord Birkenhead, replying to questions in the House of Lords, said we should deceive ourselves if we blinded our eyes to the fact that during the next few weeks we would be passing Through the most grave and critical period within living memory in the history of our relations with Ireland. Whether we would succeed he did not know. If all men of the two countries who wished to see the treaty succeed co-operated, there was still a great chance that we might be so fortunate. Delay, however, had been lamentable, and nobody could measure the consequences that might flow from it. None could have anticipated that the Dail F.ireann’s discussions would have been so protracted, thereby postponing, and maybe jeopardising, the prospects of an election. If the suffrage? of the Irish people were taken on the question of the endorsement of the treaty, the position even then would be difficult, but our moral position would require the goodwill of both parties to be ready to carry it through, while it would take but few people to destroy its prospects. Lord Birkenhead desired to say that he did not criticise the conduct of the Northern Government in arresting footballers on the ground that they carried arms.

Turning to the question of the Southern Government, he said the extent to which they were erippled in their attempt to maintain and restore order could hardly be exaggerated. The majority of the Republican army supported the Provisional Government, but there were important areas which would not obey instructions, and the Government lacked means of enforcing their orders upon recalcitrants. Personally, he had no doubt the Provisional Government was doing their best under extraordinary circumstances.

Lord Birkenhead said it was plain that Mr. Collins was apprehensive that attempts might be made by violence to wreck the treaty and destroy the Provisional Government. It was therefore our duty, so far as our honorable obligations to the North permitted, to support those Irishmen who were making a courageous attempt to carry out the treaty to which they had set their hand? He still hoped the discussion betwfetri Sir James Craig and Mr. Collins might be re-commenced. The duty of everyone was that when under any provocation or disappointment to keep cool heads and quiet tongues.—Aus.XZ- Cable Assn.