IRTSH PROBLEM.

Press, Volume LVI, Issue 16758, 14 February 1920, Page 8

IRTSH PROBLEM.

VIEWS OF SINN FEIN LEADERS.

1 ! (Br Cnb!e~TrcM Association— Copyrlgftl) (Australian and S.l. C;ibb> AwcK-intion.) j LONDON. February 11. I The Australian Press Association's irepro-entativo had an oxohisive interview with Mr Arthur Griffith, AotingProsn'.ont of tho sorcalled Irish Uepu!<Ur. M r Griffith declared that <•-> per rout, iif tho urban bodies m Ireland h.ul recognised tho Republic and all ;h>- corporations, except holtast. had obrtod flavors, hut had refused to 1 okor Sheriffs. becauW tho final choice ! of those officials rested with tho British ■Government. Ho hittorly <omp!ainod | of iho conduct of tho Royal Irish. Con- ! stabularv who wcro not policemen m I tho ordinary sense, hut inon armed with i gnus, bayonets, and bombs, living in ' Foiti'ied barracks, whoso business was ! to hold Ireland for tho Brin-li. 1 Mr l.lovd George was undci' a wrong ' impression in suggesting that tho people • of Ireland went in danger of their live-, j Thero had always b.vn a rotuarka'ilo , ; absence of robberies, and sex. and other, crimes in Ireland until the ox-soldiors j I returned. In order to deal with those [ j crimes, Sinn Fein had an-wnted lo.nl I i vigilance committees. These roinmit- ! j lets wore investigating, and were sue-1 ■ orssfully coping with tho situation, until | they were raided and suppressed by the I j Constabulary. Mr Griffith added, angrily. "Wo are ! not going to denounce anyone who re-1 i suits to violent action into which lie' has been goaded by tho acts of the! . Government." I Dealing with Iho British viewpoint! that a hostile Ireland on her flank! would constitute a danger to tho country, Mr Griffith said. "If Ireland is, as i stated, tho key to tho Atlantic, it can only mean that Ireland is to lie used !as a menace to America. So far as we I are eon.ornod, we will always bo hostile to England until wo are free. Wo have no reason to be hostile to any country which does not threaten our independence. The serurity of Europe, America, and the world demands an independent Ireland.'' In response to close questioning by the Association's representative, Mr Griffith said that he was not prepared to make any offer regarding any possible basis of agreement. He agreed that England's physical possession of i Ireland was a. fact, but Ireland could not offer guarantees in substitution for this. They would willingly, however, dncuss the application of a "Monroe Doctrine'' to Ireland if independence were promised. Ho did not contemplate any action before the League of Nations, which he regarded as being under the thumb of England. Thero had been no sort of approach by the British Government to find a way out of the impasse. He could not anticipate what the Sinn Fein action would be if a. Parliament were established in Dublin. Mr J. MacNeil, Sinn Fein member of tho House of Commons for Londonderry, who is accompanying Mr Griffith, replying to a question as to whether tho Sinn Fein policy would bo to accept, and to try to improve, tho Home Rule Act, when passed, merely said, "Wo are entitled to take advantage of any situation created, and to make the best of it until independence is gained." Ho pointed out that tho Republic had boon created under English machinery, and was using the English machinery through iho local councils. Mr MacNeill added, '"Remember, America worked out its independence under its English Constitution.'' Referring to the guarantees against the uso of Ireland by an enemy country, ho said lie had no guarantees to offer except good faith and economic ties, which were the strongest of all. They could not. countenance English naval bases in Ireland under tho Republic.

PEOSPECTS OF HOME KT7LE.

(Received February 14tb, 12.10 a.m.) LONDON, February 12. Official circles regard Mr MacNeill's statement to the Australian Press Association as a valuable contribution to tho Irish controversy. They consider the moderate tone of the interview augurs well for the smooth working of Homo Rule, which will almost certainly bo in operation within the year. It is well known that a large section of Sinn Foin, while professing to be dissatisfied with any proposals short of complete independence, will not rofuso to participate in the advantages of tho wieo measuro of self-government which is contemplated.

There are indications that Ulster will not resist the establishment of its Parliament. It will be a paradoxical situation if Ulster accepts, and Southern Iroland. where the demand for Home Rule originated, refuses to elect members to tho Dublin Parliament, but as the interview suggests, even the ranks of Sinn Fein include a, Moderate wing. As far as the British Government is concerned tho Act will undoubtedly bo interpreted in tho most rrenorous spirit, thereby minimising opposition. Proportional representation, which was introduced into tho Irish municipal elections, fitrikinerly demonstrated that Sinn Fein has a smaller following than is generally supposed. At the Parliamentary elections, when passions were inflamed over conscription the campaign resulted in the return of 73 Sinn i<'einers out of 105 Irish members. An analysis of the figures for tho municipal elections shows that, roughly the votes were distributed as follows: — Sinn Fein. 32 per cent. Labour, 22 per cent. unionist, 20 per cent. Nationalist, 12 per cent. Independent, 8 per cent. Municinal reform, 5 per cent.. It \e undoubted that there is a great amount of earnest determination and profound conviction behind Sinn Fein, but it is difficult to believe that they ignore tho valuable means for securing self-government which the new measure provides, and Mr MacNcill apparently frankly recognises this. ALBERT HALL DISTURBANCE. LONDON, Februarv 12. Mr Griffith, Actiner-President *of tho so-called Irish Republic, was the principal speaker at a crowded meeting in the Albert Hall, convened for the purpose of demanding recognition of the Irish. Republic. Disturbances began when the chairman said that England was the only country opposing recognition. At this stage a- man was ejected, and, after further disturbances, the chairman announced that ho had appointed 250 trained .stewards to deal with any disturbance. Mr Griffith then tabled a motion demanding recognition. The disorder increased, the stewards attempting to quell the interruptions. A free fight continued until the interrupters were ejected. ENGLAND DENOUNCED. (Aufitralis.n and S.Z. Cable Association.) (Received Februarv I.3th. 5..5 p.m.) LONDON, February 12. Tho speeches at Mr Griffith's Albert Hall meeting were a most violent denunciation of England. It has been suggested that the date was chosen to synchronise with yesterday's London meeting of the Council of the League of Nations. The audience sang rebel songs, and waved Sinn Fein flags. Mr Griffith declared, in reference to Dublin Castle, that a few months ago the Chief Secro- t tary instructed the Royal Irish Constabulary to shoot prisoners if their rescue was attempted, and also to shoot a certain Sinn Fein member of the of Commons on sight, and accuse him of shooting first. The chairman read Mr R. Smillio's message on behalf of the Scottish National Committee, saluting the representatives of the Irish Republic, and

I snying that it. too, was preparing for the day, which was not far distant, when English control of Ireland and Scotland would cease. Persons on tho platform included I Lord French's sister, Mrs Dcspard. I Guardsmen pickets were stationed atj the doors of the Hall, to prevent soti diers from attending the meeting. !j IRISH PRESS ON" HOMU RULE. ■ ;! ti _ hOXDON", February ]•: i'l-.i' Press is generally hostile and sarcastic in commenting on the Hume Knle proposals mentioned in the , K'tig's Speech. '; The "Freeman's Journal'' says the proposals are a morhery to the public intelligence, and merely another eon- , tribntion to Irish anarchy. j The ''Irish Independent-" is confident that- Treland will not- give tho scheme a moment's consideration. The "Irish Times" says tho Govern- , ment clearly intends to rush the Bill j through, though it has not yet consulted any party or interest in Ireland.