IRELAND

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume LXXVII, Issue LXXVII, 4 June 1919, Page 5

IRELAND

DISCUSSION IN THE liOEDS,

LIFE MUST BE PROTECTED.

BY CABLE—PSESS ASSOCIATION—COPYBIGHT ' LONDON, May 22. In the HOIIS3 of Lords, Lord Middleton asked whether the Gowroiment had facilitated the visit of the Irish-Ameri-can delegation. Lord Middtefcon declared that whenever London interfered in Irish affairs the result was a misfortune. Now Paris had interfered ma. am intolerable manner.-It was inconceivable-that the. nation which fought the greatest civil wa r in history was now advocating a policy for Irekrari which, although called self-determinatiian, meant civil war. * Lord Birkenhead, replying, said three successive governments had failed to solve the Irish problem, tt was 'easy to understand the i-easons w3iy the delega- i tion was allowed to @o to la-eland to see things for themselves. It was hoped the ! war would result in a better under- ' standing between the British-American ■ peoples. The 'activities of the IrishAmericans was one of the greatest obstacles. It was not anticipated the delegation would make a series of treasonable speeches. •-

Lord Birkenhcad said Mr Lloyd George had intended subsequently to receive the delegation and make a considered speech to the world through them, explaining the difficulties. If a mistake was made, Mr Lloyd George would not bo harshly judged, because he was grappling with the gravest and most complex problems relating to the' peace of tbe world. As soon as peace was signed the re-constituted British Government would consider the application of Home. Rule. Meantime the majority of the Irish were iin open rebel T lion. Murder was common, and was not discouraged by the Sinn Feiners. Therefore the only policy meantime must be j the protection of life with whatever i force was necessary.