IRISH QUESTION.

Press, Volume LIII, Issue 15930, 18 June 1917, Page 7

IRISH QUESTION.

REBELS TO BE RELEASED

(By Cable—Press Association—Copyright.) (Australian and N.Z. Cablo Association.) (Bentor's Telesrrame.) LONDON, June 15. All the Irish rebels are to be released.

AMNESTY TO SINN FEINERS. GOVERNMENT'S ATTITUDE EXPLAINED. (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) (Recoivod June 17th. 5.5 p.m.* LONDON, June 15. In the House of Commons, Mt Bonar Law said> that tho Government, after long and careful consideration, had decided on an amnesty to tho Sinn Foin rebels. The governing consideration ■in making this decision was the approaching Convention, in which it was hoped that Irishmen would settle the difficult problem of tho futuro administration of their country. This great experiment marked new relations between Ireland, Great Britain and the Empire.

It was very desirable that the delegates should assemble in an atmosphere of goodwill, and tho Government had therefore decided to remove one cause of 3eriotis misunderstanding. It was inspired with a sanguine hope that this action would bo welcomed, and that tho spirit in which it was made would constitute a good augury for a muchdesired reconciliation.

Mr J. Devlin (member for Belfast) expressed his gratitude, but said that tho Government would havo boon better advised if it had come to a decision earlier. Tho Government would even have avoided much irritation.

The Right Hon. H. Samuel said that the Government had made a wise docision, and it would) be regarded as an earnest of tho Government's desiro to end tho long period of quarrel between the two pooples.

Mr G. J. Wardle (Labour member for Stockport) said that he hoped that tho past would be forgotten. The debate was adjourned.