THE SINN FEIN REVOLT

New Zealand Tablet, 18 May 1916, Page 27

THE SINN FEIN REVOLT

The following are the principal cable messages with reference to the revolt in Dublin which- have come to hand during the week:

At a meeting of the Irish members of the House of Commons, Mr. John Redmond presiding, a resolution was passed expressing grief and horror at the destruction of property in Dublin, knowing' the inability of the sufferers or the ratepayers to make good the damage. The meeting emphatically declared that the Government ought to bear the cost. The meeting also put it on record that it was convinced that continued executions would increase the bitterness and exasperation, and that it was not in the Empire's or in Ireland's interests that further executions should take place. The immediate annulment of martial law was urged. The Nationalist manifesto refers to the ' mad and unsuccessful attempt at revolution,' and solemnly appeals to Irishmen to choose between anarchy or full support of the constitutional movement, no mean course being possible. It recalls the facts that two-thirds of the land is now in the hands of the people, and the remainder is becoming so ; that Irish laborers are now the best housed, most comfortable, and independent in • the world; that the most poverty-stricken districts have become happy and prosperous. The constitutional movement,' proceeds the manifesto, 'is triumphantly vindicated, and therefore there is every right to demand that the people shall uphold it till its mission" is accomplished. On their answer depends the fate of the country.'

In the House of Commons Mr. Dillon moved that the Government should make a full statement of its intentions concerning the continuance of executions and of martial law. Referring to Major Skeffington's execution, he asked how could the populace be blamed for believing that dozens of men had been secretly shot in the barracks. The stories of the executions were embittering the country, and the action of the military in the matter of searches and arrests was transferring a loyal people, and letting loose a river of blood between races when they had almost been brought together. Ireland was largely in the clubs of Dublin, and these were influenced by the military authorities. In the House of Commons Mr. Samuel and Mr. Asquith were sharply questioned regarding the executions, and particularly that of Major Skeffington, whom a section of the newspapers are magnifying into a hero working desperately to stop the fighting.

Mr. Tennant said that 1706 rebels had been deported, and there had been 14 executions.

Mr. Dillon immediately accused the Government of not keeping its promise that there should be no further executions pending the debate.

Mr. Asquith's dramatic announcement that he was going to Ireland took the sting out of the attack upon the Government. The incident recalled his sensational decision to take over the War Office at the time of the Ulster trouble.

Mr. Asquith said: ' A great body of insurgents fought bravely, and conducted themselves with humanity, contrasting most favorably with our "civilised" enemies in the field. The position in Ireland is more satisfactory. We have the greatest confidence in General Maxwell's discretion to conduct his delicate and difficult jurisdiction. Ireland could not remain undermartial law.' Mr. Asquith said he came to the conclusion that it was his duty to go to Ireland without delaynot to supersede the Executive, but to« consult with the civil and military authorities in order to arrive at arrangements for the future which would commend themselves to the general sense of the Irish and other parties in the House.