New-York tribune., 1919-12-23
Secession To Be Fought
With Same Force Used
Here in 1861, Lloyd
George Says in Speech
Powers to Equal
State in America
Self Determination by
Sections Under Inn
perial Rule Is Planned

LONDON, Dec. % (By The AS
sociated Press). - Premier Lloyd
George, outlining the governments
Irish home rule bill in the House
of Commons tonight, warned that
any attempt at secession in Ireland
would be fought with the same de-
termination, force and resolution
as had been shown by the Northern
states in America in 1861.
Great Britain cannot accept sep
aration," declared the Premier, ''the
people think Britain can be forced
into it have not read the story of
the last five years."
Premier's Warning Cheered
Loud cheers greeted this declara-
ton. In an eloquent peroration, the
Premier said:
ut is always the right time to do
the right thing, and Britain can af-
ford now more than ever to take the
initiative. No one will now suspect
her of conceding from weakness.
The land that by it's power destroyed
the greatest military empire in the
world will not be suspected of quail
ing before a band of wretched as
sassins.
1.-The world will know that we are
entering upon the task prompted by
the deep sense Of justice which sus-
tanned this land through these last
years of sacrifice"
The house and galleries we're crowd
ed, but it was noticeable that no Ma
tlonallst members were present when
the Premier began his address, Extra
precautions had been taken to have
guards at all the entrances and careful
scrutiny was exercised in order to pre-
vent possible Sim Fein disturbances.
The Premier began by remarking
difficult indeed" he said, after such
discreditable outrage as has Just been
perpetrated at Dublin
He characterized the attempt on Wis
count French, the Lord Lieutenant of
Ireland, a s one of the most cowardlv
and foolish incidents in the history OF
political crime. He was glad the chiefs
of the Catholic Church had hastened to
denounce it.
Reviewing the position of Irish af-
fans, he said that nobody in Ireland
wanted the act of 1914. In the existing
circumstances no possible scheme for
Irish Home Rule was universally ac-
ceptable, and Parliament must assume
the responsibility and propose what it
thought fair and just.
settlement would be found not in
the enactment but in the working OF
Home Rule scheme. He admitted that
plenty of mistakes had been made on
both sides; there were also follies and
crimes.
Seeks to Adjust Troubles
But" he added, 1--WE want that chap
ter closed-not to ask who is to blame.
but to set matters right"
ireland, said the Premier. is the
only country in Europe except Russia
where the classes, who elsewhere are
on the side of law and order. are out
OF sympathy win the machinery of the
government. While Ireland was never
sc prosperous as to-day, the fact re-
manned, he declared, that Ireland was
never so alienated from British rule
as she is to-day
The Premier said it was proposed to
estabhsh government over the
whole OF ireland and to create two par
llaments, one in the north and one in
the south. Every opportunity would
be given Ireland to establish unity II
she desired it, and a council would be
established at the outset. selected by
the two legislatures, to form a link be-
tween the two parts of the country.
Erins Annual Contribution
The Premier said that the Irish con-
trlbutlon to the imperial services was
estimated at Els, 5000 $40. 900 900
nominally) annually. A joint excheouet
board would settle the rate Of contribu-
ton for the future and the question OF
taxable capacity. 1t was proposed to
place 81 100000 So 900 600 non,inallv)
Parliaments to cover the initial ex-
penditure
The representation Of Ireland at
Westminster, Mr.. Lloyd George an
nounced, would be reduced under the
proposed measure to forty members,
as it was. in the act of 19l4.
Each OF the two parliaments would
nave taxaIlon powers equivalent to
those OF the state legislatures of the
United States. The income tax and
the excess profits and supertaxes would
be levied imperially. The Irish par
liaments would control all local mat
ters and all machinery for the main
tepance of law and order except the
higher Judiciary and the army and
navy
The custom and excise services
would be retained by the imperial Par
lament, the Premier stated, but when
Ireland was united it would be open
to the imperial Parliament TO consider
whether united Ireland would nave
control of the customs.
Offers Made by British
The government proposed to give 20
the Irish government the advantage of
all duties and taxes raised in excess
of fair contribution to the irxperial
services, and free gift. in addition, to