Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1919-07-22
GEORGE
REPLIES TO CRITICS

LONDON, july N--Premler Lioyu
George has replied to his critics. His
recent statement that the former Ger
man emperor would be tried before .
tribunal in London had created much
comment and several members, includ-
ing Lord Robert Cecil. had expressed
doubts as to the advisability of the
trial being held in London. The selec-
ton Of a neutral county fos this pur-
pose, it had contended, would have
been better. The premier 1t answer 20
this said:
What right have we 70 assume that
an; neutral country could desire to be
the scene OF such a trial. The Allies
haze suficient confidence in this coun-
try that whoever comes here for trial
will receive a trial equal to the highest
traditions OF the British nation. and
there are none higher in the world.
IF war is to be abolished il must be
treated not as an honorable game with
the prospec, of personal glory. but as
crime. That Is why we decided that the
author Ct this war should be tried"
Another matter Of extreme import
ance which came up for discussion was
the Irish question, an d to this the pre-
naier devoted considerable time with nu-
merous intersections by Joseph Deviin.
Nationalist for Belfast.
Sir Samuel Hcare. Unioaist. for Chel-
sea, warned the government that some
OF the U::ionists considered the settle
ment of the Irish difficulties just as
urgent as the Irish members did.
The premier caused laughter by de-
scribing the Irish convention which had
failed to agree as to his attempt to
apply President Wilson's principles to
Ireland.
Answering Mr.. Devlin's demand
for a referendum, he urged that the
difficulty was that Ireland was not
nation but three nations in race,
religion and temperament and out
look-in fact, in everything consti-
tuting the fundamental conditions of
a nation. Until this difficulty was
bridged it was useless to talk about
self-determination, and until Irish
men definitely faced this difficulty lie
despaired Of any settlement.
T. p. O'Connor, Nationalist, ex,
pressed profound disappointment
over the premier's speech. He asked
whether Mr.. Lloyd-George meant to
withdraw from his contact with -e-
gard to Ireland. He declared that two
men had created the Sim Fein, one
was Sir Edward Carson, the other
Mr.. Lloyd-George.
What was the good Of the premier
talking about German perfdy in
breaking the treaty with regard 70
Belgium. when he himself was break
ing his contract? he asked. President
Wilson. he added, must have told the
premier that good relations between
America and English were impossi-
BILE II Irishmen remained unrecon-
ciled.
The treaty bill passed the commit
tee Of the whole, without amend
ment. When the third reading was
moved, Joseph pevlin demanded its
rejection as a protest against the
premier's reference to Ireland.
Mr.. Lloyd-George, replying. ridi-
culed the suggestion that his attitude
toward Ireland had changed. He said
he adhered to his position ANNOUNCE
Cd IN the general election and was
prepared to carry it into effect. The
home-rulers. he added, could have
home rule for themselves IL thew
wished to, but they could not force
It on Ulster.
The House then rejected Mr.. Dew.
Ems motion by a vote Of 1853 to 4 and
the bill passed in the third reading.