STATEMENT BY SIR H. GREENWOOD.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume XLI, Issue XLI, 15 December 1920, Page 7

STATEMENT BY SIR H. GREENWOOD.

GOVERNMENT POLICY DEPENDED. BY CABLE—PRESS ABSOCIATION-COPYEIGHT (Reuter.) (Received Dec. 15, 12.10 p.m.) LONDON, Dec. 14. In the House of Commons, Sir H. dreenwood stated that only one woman - looter lost her life in the Cork fires. He read a telegram from the Lord Mayor of Cork and bmn Fein members of Parliament alleging that during the week men and women in Cork were held up in the streets and robbed, and unoffending citizens publicly whipped and shot, and, it is believed, some were burned alive in their houses. The telegram demanded an immediate withdrawal of the army of occupation. Sir H. Greenwood said that a full enquiry was proceeding, and the signatories of the telegram had been asked to give evidence under safe conduct. Dealing with the argument that we should endeavour to stand well in the eyes of the world as regards Ireland, he declared that the only part of the world which counted in this difficult period was the part which wished us well. He had yet to see any comment, official or unofficial, from any civilised country condemning the British Government. On the other hand, he saw many communications wishing us well in one of the most difficult tasks ever faced by a government. He could not imagine anything more contemptible than to yield at all costs to • gangs of assassins, who, by murder and arson, were endeavouring to intimidate them into surrender. We are dealing with this conspiracy fairly and fearlessly. It was unfair to attribute every burning incident in Ireland to gallant men who showed such splendid restraint against almost intolerable provocation-. All burnings and murderings were" the logical consequences of Sinn Fein extremists' conspiracy to smash Empire. The way to prevent the consequences was to uproot the cause.