THE IRISH PROBLEM.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XLIV, Issue 14437, 25 October 1917, Page 7

THE IRISH PROBLEM.

DIFFICULT AND DELICATE PROBLEM. THE PREAUER'S PROMISE. GERMANS AND ,. THE SINN PEiN.^ (Klee. Uftl. Copy rightr-Dnited Preeo Assn.) \ (Auaoraimu aua D.Z. Cable Aeaociatiou.j \ . . ' 23. V In the House qI Comiiribns, Mx Redmond ; moved a-awsolution* deploring the Irish Executive** policy and ' also the Irish ; .military policy, especially m View of the necessity 'for creating an atmosphere favorable to the Convention. Mr Redmond said the Irish situation was extremely grave, and only the /uccess of the Convention would prevent a period of chaps and anarchy .unprecedented for a century. The existing policy was the greatest danger. to the Convention. It was believed m Ireland that certain people m England and Ireland would . gladly see the Convention destroyed, hoping that Ireland's last hope ,of self-government would perish m the resultant anarchy and, perhaps, bloodshed. He acquitted the Irish Unionists ,of responsibility fox? this condition of affairs. The .Convention proceedings had ; been ; without . bitterness, and the discussions * had not -reached a critical stage. Many of the authorities* adts vrere.^provocative and irritating^ causing the growth of Sinn Feiriism. He moved ' Mia motion M order to urge Mv Duke (Secretary for Ireland) to exercise controlling powers. . ;. ; . Mr Diike replied that every act m his policy' was justified; otherwise order would not have, been, maintained. The Government's one desire Vas to create an atmosphere of goodwill. He pointed to Ireland's present prosperity and practical immunity from the misery afflicting the rest of the world. Yet the Empire's avowed enemies had enrolled 200,000 young liishmen m order to create. a new rebellion. Parliament, with unprecedented magnanimity, considered that until Ireland received the promise of self-government it -.had -not the right to force conscription. The Sinn Feiners declined to participate m the Cbnven-ion, but there had been a hurricane fire of rebel oratory throughout the country. There^ had also been a steady organisation m every parish of a new rpJrel force, who had been told that there was a considerable, quantity of arms ready and more w-hen the fatal day comes. "Whence came fhese arms?" he asked. "The helping hand wMch brought about :he rebellion of 1916 is ■Germany's. When it became necessary m February to deport persons engaged m 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 said he hoped 1 nothing would be done to defeat the.Convention. ,

Mr Lloyd^ George said; the .situation, m Ireland iras nio^t difficult a^d most delicate. Mr Duke had striven to the utmost to avoid any "provocation which might endanger the usefulness of the j Convention. De Valera's speeches 'were ! cold-blooded incitements to rebellion. It j was essential for the •Government to j give, a, clear. indication that it jrould not ! allow the speeches to.be repeated. Germany had since nearly succeeded m landing arms m Ireland 'to aid a rebellion. The Government knew that ar- j rangements wei'e being made by Ger- j many to land arms acain. From America 1 thiere had been a deliberate attemnt to : enlist,' ehroh and organise hundreds; of j thousands' of young Irishmen prepara- { tory to a rebellion. If they had been : Englishmen they would have been com- 1 pulsorilv enlisted m the army. Tlie Sinn.i TTeiners' idea of Home Rule was not | self-government, but complete secession from England. "We could not possibly '• agree to that." (Cheers.) He was willing to pive an undertaking that if the Con- ■■ vention arrived at a substantial ,agree- i ment the Government would use its whole power to translate the agreement into an .Act of, Parliament. SWfeA^BM would be carried through immwSlately. Mr Dillon interjected ; This is very important. Will the Prime Minister, pledge the Government immediately the •Convention comes , to ,an agreement to embody it m a Bill and pass it through Parliament as soph as .possible? i Mr Ifloyd George : 'Certainly. _ This has always been the Government's intention. Mr Redmond's, motion Aras defeated by 211 to 78, : I