SINN FEIN POLICY

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 120, 14 February 1920, Page 7

SINN FEIN POLICY

STATEMENT BY THE ACTING PRESIDENT

NO OFFER FOR SETTLEMENT

By Telegraph—Press Association— Copyright

London, February 11. Tho; Australian Press Association publishes an exclusivo interview with Mr. Griffiths; tho. acting-President- of tho socalled Irish Republic. He declared that 75 per cent, of the urban bodies in Ireland recognised'the Itcpublic. All tho corporations, except Belfast bad flleeted, Mayors, hut refused to select sheriffs, because the final choice for. this office rested'with tho British Government. Mr. Griffiths complained bitterly of tho conduct of the Irish Constabulary, who' were not policemen in the ordinary sense, but men armed with guns, bayonets and bouibs, and living in fortified barrackfr-men. wlioso business, was to. hold-Ireland for the British. Mr. Lloyd George: 'hid made a wrong impression by suggesting that people in Ireland went in danger of their lives. There - had always been a remarkable absence' of robberies and sex and other crimes until 'the ex-soldiers returned. In order to deal with thesa'crimes local vigilance committees had been appointed, and were . investigating and successfully coping, with, the situation until the.v were raided afitl'supoi'cssed by the Constabulary. Mr. 'Griffiths'."added' angrily: "We are not -goin'g to ; denouiiee anyone who resorts to violent action into which he is goaded bv the acts of th 6 Government,". 'Dealing with the British viewpoint, thiit -'a hostile Ireland on Britain's flank wduld constitute a danger to the country, - 116 said:' "If Ireland is, as 6taled, the key of tho Atlantic, it can only wean that it will be, used to menace America. Po far. as'we are concerned, we will al- , ways lie hostile to England until we are fre'e.-We havo no reason td be hostile to any country which, docs not threaten our independence. The security of Eu..yope, America, and the world demands an independent- Ireland." •• In response to- close questioning by the interviewer, Ml*. Griffiths said he was not prepared to make any offer regardill" a possible basis of. agreement. He agreed that England's physical possession•of Ireland wa: a.fact; but Ireland could '• not - offer-'guarantees in substitution for it. She would-be willing.-however, to discuss the application of a "Monroe doctrine" to Ireland, if independence was. : promised. He did not contemplate action before thfe" League of Nations, which, lie regarded as being under the thumb of England. There had been no recent ap-, nroach by the British' Government to find a war out of the impasse. He could not anticipate what the action of Sinn Fein 'Would lie. if Parliament was-estab-lished'ini.Dublin. , , • Mr. MacNciM, M.P. for Londonderry, who accompanied Mr. Griffiths, replying 'to'a 'qiiestionTwhetiier the Sinn l'cin policy would bo to accent and endeavour to improv6 the Home Rule Act when it K was passed)' added: "We are entitled to | take advantage of any situation that is created. Ireland will make the best.uso of it until independence is gained. He pointed - ,out'that the. republic had .be®;, erected-.'-!! lidciv English machinery, andwas using English machinery through-, live local councils. He added: "Remember that America tiorked out its independence under., its English ■ constitution." Referring to guarantees against the use of Ireland by an-enemy country* he sfiid' he had none to offer, except good* faith and economic ties, which were-the fitrongesfc of all/ They could not countenance British naval l>a?es in Ireland under a republic.—Aus.-X.Z. Cable. Assn..

tiie statement WELCOMED. ' '... (Ree. February 14, 0.-tO a.m.) London, 12. Official circlcs regard Mr. MaeNdll's statement as a valuable contribution to the Irish controversy. They consider that- the moderate., tone of the interview augurs »for tho smooth working of Home' -Rule, which will almost, certainly be in opera'tioh within a year. It is well kno.vn that a large section.of b.imv Feiners, while, professing to be dissatisfied with ally proposals short, oi complete independence, will not refuse lo participate in .the advantages of.tho.viido measure of self-government which is contemplated. There are indications that Ulster will not resist tho establishment of its Parliament. It would be,a rnra'doxitar bit'uatioii if Ulster'accepted and southern Ireland. -where the - demand* lot' Home Rule originated, refusal to vlect members of the Dublin Parliament. But, as the interview suggests, oven Hie ranks of Sinn "Fein include a moderate wing. „ , . As far os the British Government, "is concerned, the .Act will undoubtedly be interpreted, in..the n.iost generous smi'it,thereby minimising the opposition, lro-/ porlipnat representation ■ introduce<L.into Irish 'mTinisipnl elections has_ strikingly demonstrated . that: .Sinn Fein has. a. smaller-following' than is generally supposed. ■ An analysis of tho figures for the municipal elections shows that, lougiily, tiie votes were distributed v as -followj Sinn Fein, 32 per cent.; Labour, '22 per cent.; Unionist, 20 per cent.; Nationalise, 12 per cent.; Independent, !! per, .eeiil"..;, Municipal lieform,. .V'per cent.- It is; undoubted that a great amount' ot earnist delerniination and profound conviction is. behind lh,e..s)Ui: Fein movement, but it is difficult to' believe that its members ignore the valuable means tor-.securing iidf-governnteiifc which tho neiv- measure provides. "Mi". MaoNeill apparently (frank!v...«tul. fairly.recognises tliis.-\us.-NX-Cable 'Assn. ; • HOME RULKPnOPOSALS i , IRISH,PRESS, HOSTILE.- '■ J '" London, February 12. The 'Irish Press - generally is hostile 'ahel '^afcastii'.">ii : commenting "oii ,tho Horas» : Knlo nroiiosals mentioned in the King's Speech. "Freeman's 'Journal' says:'.tliey- are .a. mockery to public intelligence, and merely another contribu--tioii"!t«:lrish anarchy. Tiie."lndependent" is confident that. Ireland will not give. (Jib"scheme- a mument's consideration. The "Irish Times" says the Govj eminent dearly to rush ilift Bill through.:. .It has not yet consulted any ■pai'ty interest'in Ireland.—Reuter.

RECOGNITION OF REPUBLIC • -DEMANDED.

• :. London, February 12. . ..Mi:. .Griffiths.was the principal speaker at ti crowded Bioeiiii? in tno Albeit Hall, convened for the purpose of demanding recognition of the Irish Ropuolic. Disturbances begun when the chairman said that E'iiftl»iiid wis tho onlj country opposing recognition. A. man w:is ejected, and further interruptions occurred. The chairman announced that hc>: had appointed 250 trained sleivnrfis (o.deal-, with any disturbance. A .speaker moved!'a resolution demanding recognition, arid tho disorder increased. . Ihe stewards attempted to quell the interruptions, and a free fight followed until the interrupters were ejected. Tliero wore severs! fights during Mr. Gnfhths s fipeeeli.-r'Aus.rN.Z. Cable Assn. VIOLENT DENUNCIATION OF ENGLAND. (Rec; February 13, 5.5 p.m.) ■ ■ ' ' London, February-is. "Tho speeches at Mr. Griffiths'.?' Albert Hall meeting were a most violent denunciation of : England. It has been suggested, that.- the' (late . was cho.«n to. livnthroniso-with''yesterday's meeting, lilv London of tho Council of the League of Nations.' ' The-audience sang rebel songs and waved 'Sinn Fein'Hags. Mr. Griffith? declared, in'referenco to Dublin.Castle, that'a few months ago the-secre-tary instructed ' tlie Irish Constabulary ■to shoot-prisoners if a rescue were at'-! tempted and also to shoot a certain Sinn ■ Fein member of the House of Commons on-sight and accuse him'of shooting first. The chairman-, read a message, from Mr. Smillio on .behalf of the Scottish Na ; tional■ Committee, 'saluting the representatives flf. tho;lrish Republic and saying ■that-U, ion,',was preparing for the. day. not far distant, -when English control of Ireland and Scotland would cease. The .liersons on the .platform included Ml', 4 : DeSpai'd'. sister of Lord. French, the Vice,i.py.pickets' were stationed at (lie doors lo prevent..soldiers, attending the meet-, iug—Ans.-N.Z.' Cable Assu. :