DUBLIN MURDERS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVIII, Issue 18572, 26 November 1920, Page 5

DUBLIN MURDERS.

DEBATE IN HOUSE.

MR ASQUITH ATTACKS IRISH POLICY.

HIS MOTION REJECTED. By Telegraph—Press Association- Copyright. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. LONDON, November 24. In the House of Commons Mr Asquith moved ‘t-That tho House condemns tho outrages committed against tiio forces of Crown and civilians in Ireland, and expresses deep abhorrence at the brutal assassination of officers and other British subjects m Duoiin oh Sunday. That tlie House condemns the action of the Executive in attempting to repress crime by methods of terrorism and reprisals, vvliich involve the lives of the innocent and are contrary to civilised usage.” Mr Asquith said that the dead officers in the fullest sense of the word were martyrs to publio duty. It was a satisfaction to know that those arrested would suffer the extreme penalty. The Irish authorities defended tffe deaths of civilians by stating that if officers of the Clown were hit they were entitled to hit back, but this hypothesis only covered a small pant of tlie ground. It was evident that the forces of the Grown were engaged in a systematic way upon deliberate destruction of creameries, shops and homes, without regard to the innocence or guilt,of the sufferers. Evidence was overwhelming that reprisals were organised by the police and military This the Government was destroying moderate opinion and poisoning the atmosphere of Ireland. Sir Hamar Greenwood, replying welcomed Mr Asquith’s condemnation of tho murders of soldiers, which had not been so conspicuous in that gentleman s speeches as he should have liked. Sir Hamar denounced the London Liberal Federation, of which Mr Asquith was president, for issuing the bulletins of the Irish murder gangs, who also bad their representatives, in the'lobby. Hus wag, a loathsome alliance, Oousiderable interruption ensued, and there were cries of “ names.’ Members on the Ministerial Benches retorted: “Some of you seem very uneasy. (Laughter.) Sir Hamar Greenwood, proceeding, said that from Mr Asquith s speech one would think .soldiers were going about Ireland, slaying and burning. As a matter of fact, three-quar-ters of Ireland was as peaceful as Kent, because the forces of the Crown were breaking terrorism. Out of 710 creameries it was only alleged that forty-one were damaged, of which some had been used as ambushes, and their destruction was justified. He did not want to see a law passed enabling the police to arrest or shoot anybody found with nrm» in his hands, hut no other country ij> the world would have stood wirat l>i itain was standing. Sinn Fein courts had now disappeared, the boycott had been broken, intimidation was going, hunger striking was finished, and the republican army was being broken up. The only issue remaining was: Who was for the Empire and! who for assassins? (Cheers). Mr iCffynes said, that the Government | should" put upon the Irish people the responsibility for the Government of Ireland. . . , , , ‘ Air Asquith’s motion was rejected by 303 to 83. . - Colonel John Ward’s amendment denouncing terrorism, thanking the forces of the Crown for their courage and devotion and expressing confidence m the Government's policy was carried without a division.

RAIDS AND ARRESTS. LONDON, November 24. Wholesale scouring; of Ireland continues. One hundred and twenty-nine arrests were made in a week. Liberty Hall, Dublin, was raided today. The search lasted two hours. Floors were pulled np and chimneys demolished. Troops and Black and Tans with armoured oars were employed. Barbed wire was thrown across the streets and searchlights were used m the evening. Twenty arrests were made, including Johnson, secretary of the Irish Labour Party, and OBnen, seoretarv of tho transporters. Simultaneously all trade union offices were rn id ed. (Received November 25. 10.10 p.m-) LONDON, November 25. Bombs were found behind a fireplace in Liberty Hall. O’Brien and Johnson have been released.

THE MURDERED OFFICERS

IMPRESSIVE FUNERALS. (Reoeivod November 25. 10.10 p.m-) LONDON, November 25.

Tlie military authorities have planned to give the massacred officers the most impressive funeral in their power. • A destroyer hearing the bodies trill arrive at Holyhead this afternoon, the special funeral train reaching. Euston in the morning. There will be a procession to Whitehall, where tho procession divides for the Abbey and Westminster Cathedral. Existing regulations respecting funeral honours will be discarded. There will be a great muster of troops, mostly guards and household cavalry.