REBELS IN IRELAND. A Serious Situation.

Manawatu Times, Volume XL, Issue 1372903, 25 October 1917, Page 5

REBELS IN IRELAND.

A Serious Situation.

OUTLINED IN PARLIAMENT. [Aust. and N.Z. Cable Association.] (Received Wednesday, 8.50 p.m.) LONDON, Oct. 23. In the House of Commons, Mr J. Redmond, M.P., moved a resolution deploring the Irish Executive's policy, also the Irish military policy, especially in view of the necessity there is of creating an atmosphere favourable to the Irish Convention. Mr Redmond said the Irish situation was extremely grave and only the success of the convention would prevent ft period of chaos and anarchy unprecedented for a century. The existing policy was the greatest danger to the convention. It. was widely believed in Ireland that certain people in England and Ireland would gladly see the convention destroyed, hoping that Ireland's last hope of self-government would perish in the residtant anarchy and perhaps bloodshed. He acquitted the Irish Unionists of any responsibility for this condition of affairs. The convention proceedings had been without any bitterness and the discussions had now reached a critical stage. Many of the authorities’ acts were provocative, irritating the people and causing the growth of Sinn Feinism. Ho moved the motion in order to urge Mr Duke (Chief Secretary for Ireland), to exercise his controlling powers. Mr Duke replied that his policy was justified ,otherwise order would not have been maintained. The Government's one desire was to create an atmosphere of goodwill. He pointed to Ireland’s present prosperity and practical unanimity from the misery afflicting the rest of the world. Yet the Empire’s avowed enemies had enrolled 200,000 young Irishmen in order to create a new rebellion. Parliament, with unprecedented magnanimity, had considered that until Ireland received its promised self-government it had no right to enforce conscription there. The Sinn Feiners had declined to participate in the convention, but there had becii a hurricane lire of rebel oratory throughout the country and there had also been a steady organisation in every parish of a now rebel force who had been told that there was a considerable quantity of arms ready and more would be ready when the fatal day comes. Whence came these arms? The helping hand -which brought about the rebellion in 1916 was Germany’s, and when, it became necessary in February to deport persons engaged in conspiring it was because Germany’s hand was again held out and the Government knew it. The Government could not ignore the organisation of this volunteer force or its declared purpose. The Sinn Fein leaders aimed to defeat the convention. Mr Asquith hoped that nothing would bo done to defeat the convention. LLOYD GEORGE GIVES PLEDGE. ATTACKS DE VALERA. FOR HIS INCITEMENTS TO REBELLION. [Aust, and N.Z. Cable Association.] (Received Wednesday, 11.30 p.m.) Mr Lloyd George said the situation in Ireland -was most difficult and most delicate. Mr Duke had striven his utmost to avoid any provocation which would endanger the •usefulness of the convention. De Valera's (the Sein Finn M.P.) speeches were cold-blooded incitements to rebellion, and it was essential the Government should give a clear indication that it would not allow such speeches to be repeated. Germany once nearly succeeded in landing arras in Ireland to aid a rebellion, and the Government knew that arrangements were being made in Germany to laud arms again from America. There had been a deliberate attempt to enlist, enroll, and organise hundreds of thousands of young Irishmen preparatory to a rcbelion. If they had been Englishmen they would have been compulsorily enlisted in the army. ‘The Siuu Felner’s idea of Home Rule was not self-govorment but a complete secession from England. We could not possibly agree to that. (Cheers.) He was willing to give- an undertaking that if the convention arrived at a substantial agreement the Government would use its whole power to translate the agreement into an Act of Parliament. Such a Bill would be carried through Mr Billon interjected: “This Is ft very* important. Will the Prime Minister pledge the Government that immediately the convention comes to an agreement they will embody it in a Bill and pass it through Parliament aa soon ah possible?” Mr Lloyd George: “Certainly; this has always been the Government’s intention.” (Received Wednesday, 10.55 p.m.) LONDON, Oct. 24. Mr Redmond’s motion was defeated by 211 votes to 7S.