New-York tribune., 1918-07-30
Dillon Proposal to Make
Wilson Arbiter of Ques-
ton Rejected
Policy of Britain
In Ireland Upheld
Eleventh-Hour Attempt to
Settle Question Is Urged
by Asquith

LONDON, July 2o.-Debate in the
House Of Commons to-day on the Irish
question ended in the defeat Of the
Irish adherents. The motion Of John
Dillon, the Nationalist leader, condemn
ing the governments Irish policy was
rejected by a vote of 245 to 1o6.
Mr.. Dillon's suggestion that the
question of ireland be referred to
President Wilson was well received by
the House, but, as former Premier AS
quith pointed out, it could not be ex-
pected that the President of the United
States would undertake such an ardu-
Gus task at this time, and the matter
was obviously one which the British
people would have to settle for them
selves.
Former Prime Minister Asquith made
an appeal to the government in
the interests of the country, the en-
pire and the Entente Allies to try
again, even at the eleventh hour, to
find settlement of the Irish question.
The question was one of overwhelm-
ing Importance. Mr.. Asquith declared
and he made strong appeal to the
government to make another effort,
even at the eleventh hour, to settle it.
Labor Party in Favor
The Chief Secretary for Ireland. Ed
ward Shortt, made speech concila-
tory in tone, but it did not conciliate
the Nationalists. They received the
warmest support from the Labor party,
whose spokesman, William Adamson,
member for West Fife, announced that
MIR. Dlllon's motion would receive its
support, the Labor party believing that
the Irish question could be settled by
4 generous measure of Home Rule,
and, he added the British people ought
10 grant it now.
Regarding the suggestion made by
Mr.. Dillon, Mr. Asquith said:
"He would be very bold man who
would expect Mr.. Wilson to undertake q
task which has baffled SO many pioneers
in the past. If it could not be re-
ferred to members of our own family
it does not seem that question of
that kind could we'll be submitted to
the arbitrament of foreign country,
however friendly"
The debate has made clear, said Mr..
Asquith, "The supreme and overwhelm-
ing Importance of the settlement of the
Irish question"
The adoption of a man-power bill
this year applicable to Ireland has in
creased the difficulty of settlement
An atmosphere had been created in Ire
land, which has shifted for the time
being the balance of political power
from the constitution TO the revolu-
tionary party. That was very serious
state of affairs.
How are you going to have a league
of nations?" asked Mr.. Dillon
"There are many difficulties in the
way of league of nations" replied
Mr.. Asquith.
ireland will be one" interjected Mr.
Dillon.
81 entirely agree" said Mr.. Asquith
but this Irish question is one which
we must settle for ourselves and by
ourselves"
British Policy Attacked
Mr.. Asquth made his speech in the
course of the debate on the motion
made last week by Mr.. Dillon Intro
duclng his resolution, which expresses
the view that the true solution of the
Irish question is to put into operation
without delay in regard to Ireland the
principles laid down by President Will
SON." Mr.. Dillon admitted that the Ma
tionalist party was in difficulty, but, he
added. eve are because we have
struggled to save the constitutional
position and bring Ireland into the war,
while the government has done every
thing IN its power to drive her out of
the war"
The Irish were holding back in the
war, Mr.. Dillon declared, because thew
believed the government was deter
mined to break faith with Ireland and
deny her the right which she had won
after long and patient struggle
There had been German plot in
Ireland before the war; there had been
German plot in Ireland since the
war. They had three objects: First.
to deprive the British of Irish help;
second, to compel Great Britain to keep
large number of British troops in
Ireland; third, to weaken the moral
position of Britain in dealing with the
cause of small nations
The Germans, said Mr.. Dillon, had
succeeded simply and solely because
of the operations Of the British gov
ernment.
The way to conquer German plots,
the Irish Nationalist leader went on,
was not to break faith with, but to win
the sympathy of, the Irish people
themselves. No one in Ireland be-
lleved in any pledge of the British
government, or that the government
would stick to any policy whatever.
Replying to Mr.. Dillon's speech on
his motion, Edward Short, Secretary
Tor Ireland, said that the government
had been compelled to take strong ac-
tion in Ireland because there was a
complete military system in South
west Ireland, worked out with consid-
cradle skill and knowledge.
Instructions were given, the Secre-
tary declared. as to how to cut rail
ways and destroy bridges and commu-
nlcatlons, while explosives had been
secretly imported.
British Leniency Cited
The Irish Secretary declared Ireland
had been infinitely quieter since the
Sim Fein leaders were arrested and
put out of harms way. Before that
the country had been seething with
sedition.
A very small use had been made of
the crimes act. A certain number of
societies had been declared dangerous
but that was intended mainly as a
warning. The government wanted to
avoid conscription, if that were pos.
slble, but no help toward that end had
been received from the Nationalists
The Secretary asked Mr.. Dillon il
he were in charge of Ireland would he
grant the demand for an Independent
republic