"THE IRISH REPUBLIC.”

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XLV, Issue 12000, 13 February 1920, Page 8

"THE IRISH REPUBLIC.”

Second Edition.-

United Press Association— By Electric Telegraph—Copyright.

Received Feb 18, noon. London, Feb 11 An Australian Press Association ’.representative had an exclusive interview with Mr Griffiths, acting president of the so-called Irish Republic. Griffiths declared that 75 per cent of the urban bodies in Ireland had recognised the Republic, and all corporations, except Belfast, had elected Mayors, but refused to elect sheriffs because the final choice .of these officials rests with the British Government. He bitterly Vi,complained of the conduct of the Irish Constabulary, who were not policemen in the ordinary sense, but are men armed with guns, bayonets and bombs, and living in fortified barracks, whose business was to hold Ireland for the British. Mr Lloyd George was under a wrong impression in suggesting that the people of Ireland went in danger of their lives. There had always beer, a remarkable absence .of robberies, sex, and other crimes in Ireland until ex-soldiers returned. In order to deal with these crimes the . Siqn Fein had appointed local vigilance committees. These committees were investigating and were successfully coping with the situation until they were raided and suppressed by the

constabulary. Mr Griffiths added angrily: “We are not going to denounce anyone who resorts to violent action into, whicn ha is goaded by the acts of Government.” Dealing with the British viewpoint that a hostile Ireland on her’ flank would constitute a danger to the country, Mr Griffiths said . “If Ireland is, as stated, the key-to the Atlantic, it can only mean that Ireland is used as a menace to America. So far as we are concerned wo will always he hostile to England until free. We have no reason to be hostile to any country which does not threaten our independence. The security of Europe, America and the world demands an independent Ireland. In response to close questioning by the Association representative, Mr Griffiths said that he was not prepared to make any offer regarding any possible basis of agreement. He agreed that England’s physical possession of Ireland was a fact, but Ireland conld not offer guarantees in substitution for this. They would willingly, however, discuss the application of a Monroe Doctrine to Ireland if independence was promised. He did not contemplate any action before the League of Nations which he regarded as being under the thumb of England. There has been no recent approach by the British Government to finu a way out of the impasse. He could not anticipate what the Sinn Fein action would be if a Parliament were established in Dublin.

“ Mr Mac Neill, member of the Commons for Londonderry, who is accompanying Mr Griffiths, replying to a question as to whether the Sinn Fein policy would be to faccept and to try to improve the Home Rule Act when it is passed, merely said : “We are entitled to take advantage of any situation created and to make the best of it until independence is gained ” He pointed out that a Republic had been erected under English machinery and was using English machinery through the local councils. MrNacNeil added: “Remember America worked out its independence under its English constitution. ” Referring to guarantees against the use of Ireland by an enemy country, he said he had no guarantees to offer except good faith and economic “ties which .were the strongest of all. He could not countenance English naval bases in Ireland under the Republic.