TROUBLE IN IRELAND

Gisborne Times, Volume LII, Issue 5465, 28 April 1920, Page 5

TROUBLE IN IRELAND

DISCUSSION IN THE COMMONS. LORD ROBERT CECIL ATTACKS GOVERNMENT. POSITION MOST SERIOUS FOR 100 YEARS. BONAR LAW SAYS PRESENT POLICY WILL CONTINUE. United Press Association—Cjpyjighi (Received April 27, 7.30 p.m.) LONDON. April 26'. Speaking in the House of Commons Mr. Bouar Law said the Irish policy would be continued to protect the lives and property of law-abiding citizens. The suggestion that Lord French was invited to resign was unfounded. Mr. Shortt stated that out of 179 Irish prisoners at Wormwood Scrubs 174 were refusing food. The policy of giving special ameliorative conditions to such men was always followed in England. No demand for any improvement iri the conditions had been made. None of the prisoners bad been tried, nor was it proposed to try them because the fear of being murdered prevented truthful evidence being given in Ireland. The prisoners were interned under order of the Irish Government and were told they were arrested under suspicion. If they chose they could bring cases before the judicial tribunal. (Received ’ April 27. 10.30 p.m.) LONDON. April 26.

In the House of Commons Lord Robert Cecil drew attention to the state of Ireland. The position was more serious than at anv time during one hundred years. Sixteen murders had boon committed in the last three weeks and now averaged one per day. This was an absolute collapse of the system of civilisation guaranteeing the lives of citizens. He criticised the withdrawal of the police from the country districts and attributed to this the subsequent lawlessness. There was no co-ordination between the soldiers and. police. It convictions were not obtainable the law should he. altered with a view to securing fairness to all parties. If necessary prisoners should lie brought to England for trial and soldiers should be used to protect the police. Unless the Government proved its capacity to govern we would driftthrough anarchv and humiliation to an Irish republic. Mr. Bonar Law. while regretting tlie inopportuneness of the present debate, pointed out that every weapon of law in Ireland bad been enforced as far as possible. Trials in England were useless. Evidence could not be secured from Ireland. Such trials would be regarded by Irishmen as worse than a courtmartial. As regards arrests withouta trial lie said the system of terrorism was so widespread that it was impossible to get evidence although in many cases the offenders were known.' In such circumstances lie defied anyone to say that such persons should he allowed continued id>ertv to conspire further against their fellow-countrymen. As regards the hunger-strikers the Government was prepared to do anything to prevent them becoming martyrs as long as they were unable to earn- on the offences under suspicion of which they were arrested. Mr. Bonar Law ivthe highest- tribute to Lord French, who had the Government’s full confidence. —Imperial News Service. 2no RAIDERS CARRY OFF SIX MEN. CAPTTYE-S SUSPECTED OF IMPLICATION IN ROBBERY OF £IB.OOO.

(Received April 2/. 10.40 p.m.) LONDON. April 27.

Tim Dublin correspondent of the Times states that two hundred raiders described as Sinn Fein guardsmen invaded Mill Street (County Cork) and carried off six men suspected of being implicated in a recent bank hold-up when £IB.OOO was stolen. It is stated the captors intend to hold the prisoners until tliev disclose the hiding place of the money.—Times.