Republican farmer., 1918-04-12
Wild SCENES ENACTED
WHEN irish QUESTION
IS Being DISCUSSED
CONSUMPTION AND HOME RULE FOR
IRELAND ANNOUNCEMENT CREATE
CHEERS, CRIES OF PROTEST AND
GREAT DISORDER.

London, April 10-Announce-
ment that CONSUMPTION is to be
applied to Ireland was describ-
ed by many today as a virtual
declaration of war on Ireland.
BY g. vote of 300 to 80 the
House of Commons last night
gave leave to introduce the
governments man-power bill,
the most sweeping measure of
its kind in modern English his
tory.
A political bombshell vas thrown in
the House of Commons yesterday by
David Lloyd George, the prime minis
ter, when he announced that conscrip-
ton would be extended to Ireland AID
that the government intended to eN
tend Home Rule to Ireland. The
scenes during his references to Ire
land were dramatic, cheers and cries
of protest arising
The premier frequently was inter
rupted. Joseph Devlin, Nationalist,
moved to adjourn, but was defeated
by an overwhelming vote.
John Dillon, successor to John Red
mond, denounced CONSUMPTION. Irish
men in Ireland were volunteering in
large numbers, he said, and so were
] Irishmen in Canada. He declared it
would plunge Ireland into blood.
John Redmond, he said, was OPP
posed to CONSUMPTION in 1916.
Premier Lloyd George said con-
scription was not merely matter of
principle. It W. an extreme neces-
sity for the pre- ovation of the en-
pire.
at is indefensib1e that you should
ask the young men of 10 and the mar
ried men of 35 to 40, with families,
in England and Scotland" he said, ito
take up arms for the defense of a
small Catholic nationality in Europe,
while the young men of 20 to rs in
Ireland are under no obligation to
bear arms"
"If it were merely England's bat
tle,' he said, ''the young men of Ire
land might regard that fact with in
difference, but it is not.
Therefore we propose to extend the
military service act to Ireland under
the same conditions as Great Britain.
It may take some weeks before actual
enrolment begins
THAT is a declaration of war
against Ireland" interrupted William
O'Brien, Nationalist member for
Cork, and Michael F'lavin, member for
Kerry, added: AND Irishmen all
over the world"
Without delay" replied the pre-
mier, who continued:
Meanwhile we intend to invite par
liament to pass a measure for self
government for Ireland
you can keep it," said Alfred
Byrne, Nationalist for Dublin.
Let there be no misrepresentation.
Both questions will not hang together.
Each must be taken on it's merits. -
said the premier.
'Yol can keep both,'' replied Mr..
Byrne.
We'll" said the premier, "if that
is the view of home rule, it is the
new view for Ireland"
''While Great Britain is fighting for
national rights in Europe with all her
resources and strength she is pre-
pared to concede the same rights in
her own sphere of government.
IF by any chance or mischance this
colossal battle went against us I dc
not say the war would be over, any
more than 1t was when Great Britain
fought against another attempt al
military domination when Napoleon
having overthrown the armies of Eu.
rope, had the continent at his mercy
AS long as we have a Ship af1oa-
we shall not accept a German peace
But If the battle is won as 1 believe
It Will be, the doom of Prussianism /!
sealed The enemy has attacked a
the height Of his strength. We have
been deserted by one powerful ally
and another and more powerful all!
is not yet ready to put forth one
tenth Of his might.
''But on the other hand this battle
must exhaust the German reserves
The enemys last cali must be thrown
in before this battle is over anC
America is only now putting in tn,
first installment of her first call.
''It we wish to avoid war lastin
for years this battle must be won nov
and to win it we must be ready t
throw in all our resources. The mel
we propose taking today may well b
the means of winning the decisiv
victory of the war and with thes
measures and with the promise Q
America we have no fear of the ulti
mate issue.
Make no mistake, there is no caus
yet for exultation, except in the valo
of our troops. For long time Their
win be cause, grave cause, for dee
anxiety and there will always be t
the end cause for exertion and fo
sacrifice, and if these are given wit
the unstinted devotion with which GU
brave men in France are offering i
there will be cause for confidence
this country"
HEAVY CNOWSTORN