AN ABYSS OF ANARCHY

Wanganui Herald, Volume LIII, Issue 160711, 26 July 1920, Page 5

AN ABYSS OF ANARCHY

SITUATION IN IRELAND GOVERNMENT TO ENFORCE ORDER. i By Telegraph.—Press Assn. —Copyright. LONDON, July 24. Tho situation in Ireland was discussed in the House of Commons, on the subject of the Chief Secretary’s salary. .Mr T. P. O’Connor said Ireland was steadily descending into an abyss of anarchy and chaos. Nobody had done more to create the extremist party than Sir Edward Carson. Ho suggested it was the Ulster movement that swayed the vacillating German mind in favour of war. Sir Edward Carson retorted that ho believed this was an unmitigated lie, and proceeded to defend Ulster’s determination to resist being ground down under the heels of murderers and assassins. He declared that the British Government was entirely beaten in three-quarters of Ireland, and he demanded vigorous measures against the treasonable institutions which the Sinn Fein was establishing. Sir Hamar Greenwood, replying said fifty-seven arrests had been made in Belfast and more would be necessary. He would ask the House to pass certain legislation as soon as possible. The Government had introduced a Criminal Injuries Bill which would enable them to intercept every grant from the Exchequer to any person in authority in Ireland who was acting illegally. Tire action of every council and other public authority was being examined. Drastic action would be taken to uphold tho authority of the Crown. Another Bill would establish a tribunal superseding the Courts which failed to function at the recent assizes owing to the absence of jurors, who were intimidated by the reign of tho revolver. He would also submit a Bill enabling the Lord Lieutenant to establish a tribunal to deal quickly with every criminal offence committed in Ireland. He referred to the widespread terrorism which prevented people giving evidence in cases, and the difficulties in the way of laving charges, but under the legislation which was proposed it would be possible to mete out punishment in proven cases adequate to tho crime. In the meantime any decision of a Sinn Fein court, or any transfer of title thereunder, would be illegal, and would he upset as soon as possible. He denied that there was any coercion in Ireland. There was no soldier there except to preserve life and order. The people of Ireland were terrorised by a few. ft was the Government’s duty to break that terror and to give the Irish people a chance to voice their real views. Sir Hamar Greenwood continued : The situation is bad, and may grow worse, because the forces of the Crown are asserting tho Government’s authority. I regret to say to tiro House that the United Kingdom must brace itself to face a bitter period in Irish history. There will bo a determined organised attempt to establish, an Irish Republic by means of .murder and intimidation. The attempt will not be abandoned without a struggle. Sir Hamar asserted that it could bo defeated by the united determination of all parties and creeds to condemn and resolutely oppose such savage methods. He extended an invitation far representation from every quarter as regards the’ best way of settling the question and saving Ireland from ruin, and he concluded a very telling speech with an appeal to the House for united support. A Nationalist motion to reduce tho Chief Secretary’s salary was rejected by 181 to 42. SERIOUS ATTACK ON A CONTENT Belfast is quieter to-day after a comparatively quiet night. Although rioting continued, in some quarters, there were fewer casualties. The most serious incident was an attack on a convent in the neighbourhood of which there had been rioting and looting, necessitating the nun's leaving yesterday. The crowd at 10 o’clock at night became definitely hostile and made an organised effort to destroy the convent by fire. They drenched a hedge with paraffin and petrol, smashed the gate and rushed and ultimately burst the door. They entered and saturated the floors and ignited the lower rooms. The police made a baton charge, and, with the military, cleared the streets. The fire brigade succeeded in confining the fire to the lower rooms. Eight. Unionist clubs decided that members should assist in patrolling the streets to preserve order. Large numbers of refugees from Belfast are arriving in County Tyrone. Rioting occurred yesterday in D~omore, where the Catholic Club and Parochial Hall were wrecked. Last right the police fired, one rioter being killed Further drafts’ from Aldershot are proceeding to Ireland. Others, includ ing the First Cavalry Brigade, are held in readiness. “THINGS GOING TO HAPPEN.” WEIGHTY WORDS BY LLOYD GEORGE. LONDON, July 24. Air Lloyd George told a deputation that unless Britain wishes to imperil her existence it is impossible to establish an Independent authority in Ireland. He was prepared to discuss plans for settlement with any. responsible leaders of Irish opinion, subject to two conditions: (1) We could not agree to secession in the America n sense; and (21 Wc must have self-determination in the uonh-ea-st. Mr Lloyd Georsre said that the other day he saw a Ger man plan of submarine sinkings. It was surprising how many were just outaide Ireland, despite the fact that we controlled the harbours. If control had been in the hands of a hostile authority the position would have been impossible. Therefore, unless we wish to make ourselves defenceless, we cannot move. The Premier said later; “I am very sure tilings are going to happen. Ireland is going to become very much worse.” Referring to the question of a true© raised hv Mr Thomas, Mr Bonar Law said: “From the very beginning we only moved troops there because of murders. Stop the murders and we will remove the troops.”