The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1919-07-26
DECLARES SPEECH IS
''UNcAND|D QU|BBlE'
IRISH. American Commission So Char
arterixcs Tttcrancre Of Premier
Iaoyd.GeorSc In House OF
Commons

~
Paris Tu,y ss.--The latest speech
~ premier Lloyd George in the house
AZ commons on the Irish question was
characterized by J. Il Murphy. the
rfsh-American commissioner, IN q
statement today as ''uncandid auso-
be
Mr. Murphy asserts that the speech
will be one Of the main causes in
bringing about rejection OF the peace
treaty and the league of nations cove
nart by the United States. His state
ment follows;
The speech OF Mr.. LloydGeorge In
tho house of commons as reported in
the British press Will be characterized
an uneandid bubble rather than
constructive or statesmanslike effort
any material or evidence as showing
serious intention 10 settle the irish
question.
As commissioner now in charge in
Paris OF the American commission on
Irish independence representing more
than 10000. 600 citizens of Irish
blood in America, I can safely give
assurance that the prime minister
speech will make no friends IN
America to the English point of view.
His statements that he will apply
the principles OF selfdetermination
to Ireland cannot be entertained as a
sincere declaration OF honest intent
He endsavors TO assert that Ireland Is
not a nation, while almost in the next
sentence he says that in fact Ire
land is two nations. Both statements
are alike unfounded and contradictory
and are unsupported by authentic
evidence
The elections last December In
ireland are the answer. The Irish
Republican vote amounted to 1908
0ee, while the Unionist and Ulster
vote reached but 3os,7l3.
TT must be remembered that the
Unionists had to their assistance in this
contest dragooning of the country
which was In many respects similar
to that inflicted on Belgium. More than
half the Republicans elected were in
jAils during the campaign and cleo
ton
printing offices were wrecked by
/ s. ldiers and police for no other rea-
son than printing OF political matter
| adverse to the Clsterite view. Every
! ohtainable resource in finance, banking
, railroad. trade and industrial circle;
| vas exerted in behalf OF the Ulster
| and unionist candidates.
Z Npl" itHSk2iiulItE all WIS euc re-
corded vote showed the self-determina.
ton Of the people of Ireland as one ma
| tlon with unanimity rarely paral-
/ leled and never excelled in the strug
| giles Of any oppressed people
When Sir Edward Carson organized
/ armed opposition to English law II
1 ireland. his reward WAS place in tn
cabinet. And when Frederick Smith
melted TO riot and rebellion in Ulster
q bf 7 @xfA fn
/ those political services raised to a plae'
OF the highest Importance in British
judiciary power. making him lor'
chancellor of England. He enjoys
/ salary and prerequisites and privilege
experimenting 100000 Ssar,
Those are the means employed T.
keep alive an active party in Ulste
1 that may he depended upon to do VIC
ienee to the majority of the Irish PEG
pie But when Republican Ireland as
sorts itself. martial law is the answ e
and IN zen republican army officer
are stood against the wall before
| firing squad
MT, Lloyd George can no longer fot
America with this Ulster DOGGY. TIL
Inglish government Is responsible &c
the esta biishment and maintenance c
this Ulster party of ascendency an
the world will not entertain as a rea
Scnahle answer the one given by Nj
Lloyd George, alleging that 1relan
Is not unanimous in its demands an
view this as grounds sufficient to defe
a settlement.
1T seems reasonably certain at tn
time that the United States senate wi
, not sanction the peace treaty nor bt
come involved In the league of M
tons as at present proposed. Tt
/ hypocrisy and tnsincerity of Mr.. Lloy
George and the government he repr.
sents will be one of the most logic'
ton.
His pose as the savior of sma
> uationalities is belied by his acts
martial law in Tipperary and gener;
terrorism in Ireland. His speech wit
all his ardoitness. has shown how in
possible is the defence OF British OF
| cupation Of Ireland.