SITUATION IN IRELAND

Waikato Times, Volume 94, Issue 14598, 23 February 1921, Page 5

SITUATION IN IRELAND

DE VALERA'S ACCUSATIONS AN INDIGNANT DENIAL. MR DEVLIN'S APPEAL. (Australian and N.Z. Cable Assn.) LONDON, February 21. Sir Hamar Greenwood, in the House of Commons, indignantly denied de Valera's statement that the Crown forces won' guilty of any'outrages on women. Even the Labour Parly's Irish Commission admitted that not more than 1 per cent, of the constabulary were bad. Considering the dancer these men were placed in, this was a superb compliment. Every man in the Crown forces who bad accused was brought to. trial, when it was found that tlie accusations were false. The reason there were more casualties in the Crown forces was that the soldiers wire now not sealed up in their barpacks, but were fighting for the authority of the Crown, and were succeeding. The Irish Republican army was confined to certain areas. The Government had broken the reign of terror in two-thirds Of Ireland. Mr Devlin called nn the Government. at least, to fight the band of peasant boys who formed the Sinn Fein army fairly and cleanly, and if it could not overcome them, let the British clear out of Ireland. Both the Sinn Feiners and the Government were encaged !n a fruitless task. Let the Government invite the Sinn Feiners to meet them and fashion out some plan of agreement. If the moral conscience of the country was nol aroused by what is gome on in Ireland the public opmion bad got into the deadly grip of gross materialism. DISCUSSION IN PARLIAMENT. ADMINISTRATION CONDEMNED. SIR 11. GREENWOOD'S REPLY. (Australian and N.Z. Cable Assn.) LONDON, February 21. In I lie House of Commons Captain Wedgwood Benn, moving an amendment to the Addrcss-in-Rcply, charging the Government with failing to repress crime in Ireland, and involving the forces of the Crown in competition in crime with the Sinn Feiners, said Sir Uamar Greenwood was creating new capit/ll offences, for which ..people voce executed. Sinn Fein hostages were used as fire screens for the military. Sir Hamar Greenwood systematically employed the population for the purpose of restoring order, and bis policy was doing much to threaten the security and coherence of the Empire. Lieut.-Commander Hon. J. M. Kenworthy seconded the motion. Sir Hamar Greenwood, replying, denied that Britain was suffering loss of esteem abroad c"ing to the stand it wa s making for civilisation in Ireland. its own colonies recognised that the British Government was trying to put down a campaign of assassins. Despite the Sinn Fein orgy of blood, Ireland had enjoyed unexampled prosperity since 1914. Sir Hamar Greenwood read a Sinn Fein memorandum captured on Saturday, outlining a scheme of destruction of property in England, including slops, coal mines, gas works, aqueducts and farm crops. IN FAVOUR OF PEACE. LABOUR LEADER'S STATEMENT. LORD ROBERT CECIL'S SUGGESTION. Received February 23. 5.5 p.m. LONDON, February 21. Lord Robert Cecil, whose rising in the front Opposition benches was greeted with Liberal and Labour cheers, urged (tie Government to send to Ireland a distinguished Judge, an English General, and a member of the House of Commons to enquire into the alleged acts of violence by the Black and Tans and other auxiliaries, also the burning at Cork. He urged the Government to abandon the whole policy of reprisals. Mr Henderson said that Labour was strongly in favour of peace negotiations between the Government and the Sinn Fein. AMENDMENT REJECTED. MR ASQUITIFS REPLY. REJOINDER BY MB BONAR LAW. Received February 22. S/iO p.m. I.mMION. February 21. Mr Asqnilh said: -'The Chief Secretary accuses me of being an apologist, abellor and accomplice of crime." Hamar Greenwood, interrupting, said: "1 made no such accusation. I said that your speeches unwittingly encouraged the Sinn Fein." Mr Asquith: "That, is a compliment to my character al the expense of my Intelligence. I never made a speech without denouncing the methods of the Sinn Fein. I have been called a proGerman and a Bolshevik, bul I have a lingering hope that my political reputation will slill survive reprisals, which are Ihe most discreditable chapter in thr whole history of the British administration. The Government should grant a full and impartial inquiry and pnd this butchery." Mr Bonar Law said thai after the 1016 rebellion Mr Devlin said of Mr Asquith: "No insurrection has been pul down with so much bloodshed." Laughter and cheers.) "While the terror prevailed ii might be possible to L-e| evidence agninsl the police, bul il c.as impossible to _ref evidence in their favour. Only yesterday two witnesses were murdered. We shall not restore ■irde<- in [eland in a hurry, bul we will lo it." Captain Wedgwood Benn's amendT.f'i was rejected by 287 if) 88, and the \i|i,.-ess-in-Reply was agreed to within) further division. DR. MANNIX IN EDINBURGH. USE OF HALL REFUSED. Received February 22, 5.a p.m. LONDON. February 21. Archbishop Mannix addressed 2000 ;vmpathisers with the Sinn Fein al Edinburgh, As the use of a hall was •i fused, the meeting look place in the dayexound of St. Patrick's Church. Ri ived February 22. 8.20 p.m. LONDON", February 21. Archbishop Mannix declared that the risli wen 1 being bludgeoned and murlereil daily. T| was a disgrace to civi- I Isation ami an eternal disgrace to Bria in. tf there bad been any chance of j inion between England and Ireland, the : n-esent Government had destroyed il for Aer. THE DUBUN RAID. CHIEF OF STAFF'S ESCAPE. Received February 22. 11.10 p.m. LONDON, February 22. The Chief of Staff of the Republican Vrniy had a narrow escape from rapure. in Hie raid on the Dublin headliiarters of the army. The military i ound a cup of tea on his desk, and also ' n unfinished letter In his witv. moodMiunds failed to find his scent. He had | previous narrow escape, getting away I a his night clothes.