IRISH PROBLEM.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XXXVII, Issue 9128, 25 October 1917, Page 5

IRISH PROBLEM.

DISCUSSION IN THE COMMONS.

THE SINN FEIN DANGER.

LONDON. October 23

In the House of Commons, Mr Redmond moved, deploring the Irish Executive's policy, also the Irish military policy, especially in view of the necessity for creating an atmsophere favourable to the Convention.

[ Mr Redmond said that the Irish situation was extremely grave, and only the success of the Convention would prevent a period of chaos and anarchy, unprecedented "for a century. The existing policy was the greatest danger to the Convention. " It was widely believed in Ireland that certain people in Kngland and Ireland would gladly sco the Convention destroyed, htiping; that Ireland's last hope of seli'-goveru-ment would perish in the resultant anarchy, and, perhaps, bloodshed. Ho acquitted the Iri.sh Unionists of the responsibility for this condition of afkui\s. The Convention proceedings had been without any bitterness, but tho discussions had not reached a critical stage, and many of the authorities' acts were provocative and irritating, causing the growth of Sinn , Feinism. He moved the motion in order to urgo Mr H. E. Duke (Chief Secretary., for Ireland) to exercise his controlling power. .■'•'; ': : ■

Mr Duke replied that c»xry act and policy had been , justified, otherwise order would ndt have been maintained. The Government's one desire was to create an atmosphere oi" goodwill.l He pointed to Ireland's present prosperity and practical immunity from the misery which was afflicting' the rest of the world, yet the Empire's avowed enemies had enrolled 200,000 young Irishmen in order to create a now rebellion. Parliament, with unprecedented magnanimity, considered that until Ireland received its promised selfgovernment, it had no right to force conscription. The Sinn Feiners had declined to participate in the Convention, but there had been a hurricane fire of rebel oratory throughout the country, and there had also been steady organisation in every parish of new rebel forces, who had been told that there was a considerable quantity of arms ready—and more when the fatal »di;y came. Whence came these amis? The helping- hand which brought about the rebellion, in 1916 was Germany's. .Whan it became net cessary in February to deport persons engaged in conspiracy, it was because Germany's hand had again been held out, and the Government knew it. The Government could not ignore, the organisation of this volunteer force, or its declared purpose. Tho Sinn Fein leaders were armed to defeat the Convontion.

Mr Asquith said that hq hoped that nothing would be done to defeat the Convention.

Mr Lloyd George said that the situation in Ireland was most difficult and most delicate. Mr Duk») had striven, his utmost to avoid any provocation which would Endanger <he usefulness of the Convention. Mr, D« Valera's ■speeches were cold-blooded incitements to rebellion, and f it was essential that the Government should give a clear indication that it could not allow such speeches to be repeated. Germany once nearly succeeded landing arms in Ii eland in aid of a rebellion, and the Government knew that arrangements were- being made by Germany to land 'arms again from America. There had been .1 deliberate attempt to enlist, enrol, and organise hundreds of thousands of young Irishmen "^preparatory to a rebellion. If they had been Englishmen they woiild have beenv oompulsoriJy enlisted in the Army. The Sinn Feiners' idea of Home ltnle was not solf-government, but complete secession from England, and we, could not possibly agree to that. (Cheers.) Ho was willing to give an undertaking that if tho Convention arrived at a substantial agreement the Government would use its whole power to translate the pgreoment into an Act of. Parliament. Mr Dillon interjected: This is very important. AVill the Prime Minister pledge the Government immediately tlie Convention conies to .in agreement to embody it in a Bill, and pass it through Parliament as soon as possible ? Mr Lloyd George: Certainly. That has always been the Government's in-. tention. Mr Redmond's motion was defeated by 211 votes to 78.