IRELAND.

Press, Volume LVI, Issue 17015, 11 December 1920, Page 9

IRELAND.

MR HENDERSON'S VIEWS. {By Cable—Press Association—Copyright.) ("The Times.") LONDON, December 3Mr Arthur Henderson, in a specch, declared that it was certain that if the Government failed to give immediate consideration to the widespread desire for a cessation of hostilities in Ireland, a position of utter chaos would result, and a regime more drastie than Cromwell practised would set in. Fire and sword would be necessary to keep Ireland enslaved. The policy of the Government was producing on the minds of the Irish people the same effect as a mad dog loose in the streets. Coercion had been applied with such indiscriminate violence that the people were terror-stricken. Ho added that there was a great light in the darkness. Hieonsultations with tho leaders of nil classes in Irolund disclosed an earnest desire for peace and a willingness to join in reciprocal arrangements to abandon acts of violence and every form of provocation. What was wanted was t>. new spirit of conciliation, a period ot trude, and a conference with the real leaders of the Irish people. A REPUBLICAN MESSAGE. (Received December 10th, 8.45 p.m.) LONDON, December 10. It is reported that Archbishop Clone, of Perth, had a further meeting with the Premier. It is understood the Premier will make an important statement regarding Ireland in the House of Commons today. Michael Collins, head of the Irish Republican Army, whom the authorities are seeking to arrest, and who is reported to havo given Archbishop Clune a messago for tho Premier, says the position is that Ireland has alwavs wanted peace. _ If a truce is offered it will not bo rejected, but thov had not asked for it. The first essential is the cessation of English aggression. It is reported that the Premier will announce tho institution of martial law in Ireland. RAILWAYMEN' S DECISION. (Router'.. Telegrams.) LONDON, December 9. The railwavmen in Donegal have agreed to carry troops and ammunition. A°similar decision is expected to become general in Ireland in the next lew days. . Nine more Sinn Femers havo been arrested in Glasgow, on a charge of attempting to purchase rifles and ma-chine-guns from a corporal in tbo_Army Service Corps. Thoy offered £550 for 500 rifles, and £15 each for machineguns. PASSPORTS REFUSED. WASHINGTON, December 8. The British Embassy has informed the Committee of One Hundred that it cannot vise passports for a sub-com-mittee which wished to visit Ireland to gather first-hand information on the situation. The British Ambassador pointed out that the proposed investigation would be futile until quiet had been restored in Ireland, and then it could be made only by a body highly experienced in the laws of evidence and" able to compel the production of books, papers, and records.