IRISH CRISIS.

Taranaki Daily News, 2 June 1922, Page 5

IRISH CRISIS.

'TREATY IN DANGER. GOVERNMENT'S POLICY. A FIRM ATTITUDE. By Telegraph.—Press Assn. —Copyright. London, May 31. in the House of Commons Mr. Churchill stated that no one disputed that the wish of the Irish people was a reconciliation which gave Ireland freedom and a place in the world. Up to ten days ago the leaders of the Provisional Government, appeared to have resolved to march steadily forward through a free election and to do their best to put down, if necessary by force, all armed persons who tried to prevent this, but the recent agreement struck directly at the provisions of the treaty. The consequences of the Collins-de Valera agreement were very serious. It seemed probable the Irish people would n-ot be able to give free expression to their views.

If Mr. de Valera or other Ministers refused to sign the declaration prescribed in the treaty it would break the treaty and the Imperial Government reserved its liberty of action, whether in regard to the resumption of the powers transferred, or the reoccupation .of territory they might think appropriate and proportionate to the gravity of the breach. The Imperial Government would allow no deviation from the strict letter and spirit of the treaty. The de Valera agreement rendered the hope of co-operation between North and South doubly difficult. It had. driven the parties further apart than ever before.

Mr. Churchill said they stood to-day in the presence of a very grave incident. Two townships on the frontier had been occupied by the Republican troops. Messrs. Collins and Griffith repudiated the action in the strongest manner. He asked the House not to press him as to the measures taken to deal with this violation of the Northern territory.

The British signatories had an opportunity of examining the constitution of the Irish Free State. Their examination at this stage was confidential, but after Whitsuntide the House would be in a position to take a more searching view of the situation than was possible at the present time. If the treaty were broken by any act if the election were not a reasonable one, or had no effective validity, if the constitution as it emerged from the Provisional Parliament were so amended as not to fulfil the treaty, then the Imperial Government would be perfectly free to withhold assent. He did not believe the members of the Provisional Government were acting in bad faith or working hand in glove with their Republican opponents with the intent, by act of treachery, to betray British confidence or Ireland’s good name. Mr. Asquith said he had listened with unqualified admiration to Mr. Churchill’s statement. The situation was very disquieting. Only by forbearance and faith could they arrive at a solution of the Irish question, Messrs. Collins and Griffith, who listened to the ’statement in the House of Commons, interviewed, said that Mr. Churchill had given a fair statement of the position. DANGER OF REPUBLIC. TROOPS KEPT IN READINESS. A GRAVE STATEMENT. Received June 1, 5.5 p.m. London, May 31. Mr. Churchill, in the House of Commons, replying to a question why troops were kept in Dublin, said they were kept in case of an attempt to set up a republic, in which case it was the intention of the Government to hold Dublin as one of the essential centres. Captain Craig said he had never listened to a statement more pathetic or hopeless. The Collins-de Valera pact was a gross violation of the treaty, and the Government’s attitude towards it was again one of surrender. Mr. J. R. Clynes said he was satisfied the establishment of an Irish republic meant the beginning of a state of civil war, the end of which none could foresee. THE ULSTER PREMIER. INVITED TO LONDON. Received June 1, 5.5 p.m. London, May 31. Sir James Craig (Premier of Northern Ireland), accompanied by Lord Londonderry, .arrives in London to-morrow at the invitation of the Imperial Government to confer regarding the situation. The Northern Premier accepted the invitation on condition that he should not be asked to meet Southern representatives. —Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn., HOUSE OF LORDS’ DEBATE. THE GOVERNMENT PREPARED. Received June 1, 8.15 p.m. London, May 31. Lord Salisbury raised the Irish question in the House of Lords. He said we need not think more about the opinion of the civilised world, because in dealing with Ireland England had shown the last word in conciliation. Lord Birkenhead said Lord Salisbury was a confident critic who told the Government of the mistakes tney made, and yet in the last seven anxious-.years he iiad never made a single constructive suggestion. If the Irish Governme.it did not carry but its obligations and a crisis arrived the resources of civilisation would be found not to be exhausted, and the Government would closely explore every contingency. Parliament has adjourned for tne Whitsuntide recess.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.