, 1920-10-21
Campaign of Assassination Is
Making the Irish Problem
More Difficult.
ASQUITH ASSAILS PREMIER
Large Part of the Island Faces Block
ade - Poles ard Russians Sign
"Peace With~,~ Vlctory"-Amer-
lean Agricultural Producers
Object to Lower Prices.
BY EDWARD w. PIcKARD.


The Irish problem, instead of ap-
preaching a solution, seems to have
taken a new lease of troublous life,
and the woes of the Emerald Isle are
increasing instead of diminishing. This
deplorable fact is due directly to the
campaign of murdef, arson and intimi-
dalton that is being carried on by what
Sir Hamar Greenwood, chief secretary
for Ireland, calls the inner circle of as
sassins. The daily and nightly as
saults on the police and other officials
Of the British government provoke the
latter to bloody reprisals which are to
q considerable extent condoned and
excused by the government. Premier
Lloyd George made a speech at Car
narvon which was interpreted by his
opponents as a justification of the re-
prisals. He said that 23S policemen
had been shot, of whom 100 had been
shot dead. INT the patience of the po-
lice had given way, with the result
that they hit back. Lloyd George de
clared that II, as was commended. there
was war in Ireland, then the wal must
be waged on both sides. But when
policemen were shot In the back by
Sim Feiners the premier said, It was
not war but murder. He asked wheth-
er, under the system of terrorism
which made It impossible to obtain
evidence, 1t was any wonder the police
shot the murderers.
Herbert Fl. Asqnith, former premier,
who sees a nance to return to pow
err, declared Lloyd Georges speech was
Il "~condonation Of the hellish policy
Of reprisals," INT another part of II
he construed as 'repudlation. root
and branch. of dominion home rule"
He is rallying all anti-government
forces for n fight, as soon as parlia-
ment opens, over British government
In Ireland. Before that time the dele
cation from the Irish peace conference
is to be received by the premier, and
It is believed he will then make a new
offer to Ireland. Meanwhile the gov
eminent, says Sir Hamnr Greenwood,
is determined to crush the campaign
Of assassination, and If necessary Will
increase the police force in the island
10 many thousands.
One threatened result Of the campaign
of assassination Is the virtual blockade
Of a large part of ireland through n
withdrawal of the mail and telegraph
service and the entire closing down of
Irish railways. This would mean wide
spread distress and heavy loss to
farmers and traders. Whenever par
ties of troops present themselves for
conveyance the rail workers refuse TO
operate the trains. and the railway
directors now have agreed on the In
slant dismissal Of these men. The car
rylng out Of this policy probably will
result I'm the cessation of railway traf-
fc within n month.
The British secret service believes
II hns proof that the Irish republic"
is being aided. financially and by the
distribution Of arms md the organiza-
tlon of nm espionage system. by the
Red organization headed by Victor
Kopp. soviet envoy In Berlin. Kopp
handles funds from Russln md organ
lies propaganda through newspapers
and agents, and the secret service says
II has established the connection OF
this Intrigue with revolutionary move
ment In Ireland and other parts OF the
British empire. A dispatch from Paris
says Sim Feln agents have been trying
30 purchase submarines from Italy
and France. but were told that Grent
Britain would consider the selling Of
submersibles to them nn act OF war.