FREE STATE'S CHARTER.

Press, Volume LVIII, Issue 17624, 29 November 1922, Page 9

FREE STATE'S CHARTER.

THE CONSTITUTION BILL. PROGRESS IN HOUSE OP COMMONS. (By Cable—Press Association—Copyright.) 'Auatralian and N.Z. Cable Association.) (Received November 28th, 7.40 p.m.) LONDON, November 27. In the House of Commons, Mr Bonar Law, in moving the second reading of the Irish Free State Constitution Bill, said everyone desired that the Treaty should be given a chance. The Lord Chief Justice and the law officers were of the opinion that the Constitution was in accordance with the Treaty. He recommended the Bill to the House, and did not express any fear regarding the result. He hoped the Constitution in every way would be successful.

Mr Bonar Law said the Free State must work out its own salvation, but he hoped it would have the moral support that Britain had never had in the last 700 years, and that the two countries might enjoy good relations. We must- not give any excuse to the people of Ireland for thinking that we are not fulfilling our part. Mr Cosgrave had told him that "whatever happens the people of Ireland are determined on peace with- Britain." Not only neutrals like himself, but opponents of the Treaty, would rejoice as whole-hearted-ly as the supporters of the Treaty if it were successful.

| Mr Ramsay Macdonald, leader of the Labour Party, said he associated himself entirely with the Premier's speech, and he shared the hope that the Treaty would bring goodwill and happiness to a spirit of conciliation which past experiments in the governing of Ireland had failed to produce. He hoped there •would never be any attempt to define in rigid, legal form the relationship between Britain and the Dominions. He was struck by the extraordinary number of new democratic experiments that the Irish Government proposed to make. Colonel J. Gretton (Conservative, Burton) asked with whom the Treaty was made. There was a large body in Ireland who did not accept it as a final settlement of the Irish question. Sir John Simon (Liberal, Spen Valley) warmly supported the Bill on behalf of the Independent Liberals. He said there was a real element of confidence and hope, in the fact that the Constitution had been drafted by Irishmen. Mr Ronald Macneill, Under-Secretary for Foreign Affairs, repudiated the charge that he had taken office in order to ratify the Treaty. He made it perfectly clear months ago that while he regarded the policy of the Treaty as disastrous and indefensible, he recognised that the mischief was done, and consequently Parliament had no choice but to pass it. Captain C. C. Craig (Conservative, Antrim), voicing Ulster's opinion, regarded the Treaty as a most dangerous document. He did not agree with the rosy prophecies - made by Mr Saklatvala (Battersea). He moved the rejection of the Bill, contending thalrthe Treaty was based .on coercion, and signed under stress. The only nsure for Irish wrongs was the genuine right of self-determination. He would be no party to the Treaty, which was a greater mockery than the Act of Union. ' I Mr A. E. Newbould (Liberal, Ley!; ton) seconded the motion for rejection. Sir John Butcher (Conservative, York) contended that the Bill did not enact the terms of the Treaty, and ought to be amended. Mr J. M. Hogge, replying to criticisms, said article 8 (which relates to citizenship) created a status hitherto unknown to the British Constitution or any Dominion. Whether they went to Australia or Canada for a parallel, they would find in,either British subjects sometimes not granted ■the "rights of the franchise or the privileges of citizenship. Mr Bonar Law replying to a question said he agreed that the Constitution entitled the Free State to separate representation on the League of Nations. The Bill was read a second time without a division. GOVERNMENT UNDER ARMS. PROTECTION FOR MINISTERS. (Received November 26th, 9.45 p.m.) LONDON, 1 November 27. The "Daily Chronicle's" Dublin correspondent reports that the Free State Government has taken energetic measures for its own protection. Sentries with fixed bayonets are on guard at the doors of the Government offices in Merrion square and the windows are covered with bomb-proof netting. Barbed wire has been extensively used to cover the approaches to the building. At the top of the stairs inside there is a post with a bullet-resisting shield with holes for rifles and machineguns. Ministers live on the premises and work with their revolvers handy Knowing they are marked men, they are prepared to sell their lives dearly. In the meantime untrained men are being withdrawn from the Free State Army and sent to the Ourragh for. intensive training. There are now 30,000 men in the National Army, while the Republicans are estimated at 3000, but the latter are receiving plenty of armp and ammunition from Germany and the United States. CAMPAIGN AGAINST REBELS. GOVERNMENT'S RIGOROTJS POLICY. LONDON, November 27. Mr "W. Cosgrave, President of the

Dail Eireann, interviewed, said the Dail Eireann anticipated the gravest disorders. He stated that the polipy of execution of rebels was the only safeguard, '■ and would be carried out rigorously. Free State headquarters reports that five Free State soldiers were killed in fighting at Newport. The irregulars' casualties were heavy. They included two leaders, Dr. Madden and Brigadier Moane. A National patrol was ambushed in Dublin on Saturday night. It returned the fire, and one attacker was killed. Dublin has been quiet since Friday, with the exception of desultory firing. National troops have been active in County Kerry, capturing a number of prominent irregulars. The rest of the country is fairly quiet, but an ambush in County Wexford resulted in seven National soldiers being wouiiffed. Armed men raided the houses; of rate-collectors in County Sligo, taking books and large sums of money., One Free State soldier was killed and Tone wounded in removing a road mine near Cork. . , Free ,State troops captured Humphrey Murphy, head of the Republicans in County Kerry, and four other leaders. At the conclusion of his trial, Ohilders j wrote an account of his life. STATEMENT BY MR OOSGRATE. LONDON, November 28. The .Dublin correspondent of the "Daily Chronicle" had an interview with Mr W; Cosgrave, who said: "I believe the end of the military problem is in sight, and that the warfare will gradually collapse. I. have a chance of being shot down, but that makes no difference. If we; thought we could establish peace without executions, we would-do so, but lam afraid there will have to be' further executions > before the trouble is ended. They have already had their effect. If the Irregulars will offer to surrender their arms now, I will persuade Cabinet to stop the executions." FIRST GOVERNOR-GENERAL. 1 REPORTED OFFER TO MR T. HEALY. (United Service.) LONDON, November 27. Concerning the report that Mr Timothy Healy is to be GovernorGeneral of the Irish Free State, the Dublin correspondent of "The Times" says the question of his appointment was considered b* s the Provisional Government for several; months. It is now left for Mr Healy to accept or decline. [Mr Timothy Michael Healy, K.C., who was one of the champions of the Irish Home Rule movement, was born at Bantry, County Cork, in 1855. He was member of the House of Commons for Wexford 1880-83, Monaghan 1883-85, South , Londonderry 1885-86, North Longford 1887-92, North Louth 1892-1910, and North-East Cork 191018. He was called to the Irish Bar in 1884, and to the English Bar in 1903. He is the author of* a number of works dealing with the Irish question.] . MacSWINEY HUNGER-STRIKE. (Received November 28th, 8.45 p.m.) LONDON, November 27. Mary MacSwiney has been released from prison and taken to a hospital in Dublin. Her sister Annie, when going to see her, collapsed, and was removed to a nursing home.