New-York tribune., 1920-10-21
Government Wins Over.
whelming Victory When
Motion to Investigate
Reprisals Is Defeated
Bonar Law Upheld;
Opposition Weak
Greenwood Admits Muir.
ders and Sacking Towns
but Cites Provocation
By Frank Getty

From The Tribuncs European Bureau
Copyright. 1920, New York Tribune Inc.
LONDON, Oct. 2O--The government
won an easy and overwhelming victory
on the Irish issue in Parliament to-
night when a motion to have an impair
tlal commission inquire into the police
reprlsals was soundly defeated. The
motion was supported by several promi-
nent statesmen, including Herbert H.
Asquith and Lord Robert Cecil.
Besides the force of numbers which
an urgent whip sent out yesterday
had called to it's support, the govern
ment had all the better of the argu-
ment. The debate proved a great dis
appointment, for the opposition was
weak and hopelessly outmaneuvered by
Bonar Law, speaking for the govern
mcnt, and by Hamar Greenwood, Chief
Secretary for Ireland. The anticipated
PASSION over the affairs of Ireland was
not aroused and the historionic powers
of Lloyd George were not needed by
the government
House Backs Bonar Law
The House unqualifedly supported
Bonar Laws contention that a commits
sion Of inquiry would lead to greater
ills than existed at present and would
weaken confidence in the police and
their prestige in Ireland
The British governments defense of
the reprisals in Ireland is that they are
reprisals. Sir Hamar, in the most
brilliant speech in defense of the coali-
tons Irish policy which the House of
Commons has ever heard, made this en-
phatically clear this afternoon He
characterized the republican movement
IN Ireland as an organized and highly
paid attempt to smash the British En-
pire, and he said that it was the policy
of the government to smash that move
ment.
No person was ever arrested in Ire
land for his political belief. Sir Hamar
asserted, while the Opposition benches
roared derision at this statement.
Gangs Of murderers, who fought with
expanding bullets, were terrorizing the
country, the Chief Secretary charged
He cited instances of the atrocious
murders of policemen and then ex-
claimed dramatically: "There was a re.
prisal." He admitted the sacking OF
Ennistymon,. Tubbercurry and Balbrig-
gan, but emphasized the traditional dis
cipline ofrthe Royal Irish CQnstabulary
and the Black and Tan soldiers, who
were known yesterday as the heroes OF
the country He deplored the reprisals
and promised stern measures to put
them down, but he emphasized the
atrocities which caused men usually
we'll disciplined to see red and commit
them.
Henderson Leads Opposition
Arthur Henderson opened the debate
for the Opposition. This we'll known
labor leader confined himself largely tt
the alleged atrocities committed by the
governments agents, troops and police
in Ireland during 1918, when not a sin
gle policeman was murdered. The Op-
position demand was for an impartia
commission Of inquiry into the conduct
of the government forces, he pointed
out
Sir Hamar tore Hendersons speech
to pieces with few words. He showed
that all the Irish troubles were con
fined to a small area-three counties
Cork. Clare and Limerick--and the
cities of Dublin and Belfast and tha
the Sim Fein was terrorizing tina
area.
1--WE are smashing that terror" he
exclaimed, while the House applaudee
mildly.
The Chief Secretary admitted tina
two men were murdered by the police
at Balbriggan. 81 say murdered" h,
exclaimed. But | cannot condemn The
murder OF these men by the policemen
who lost their heads in the same way
| condemn the assassins VINO provoked
them"
He took up the case of the creameries
admitting that sixteen out of ITO il
Ireland had been destroyed and clever
partly destroyed, but he ASSERTED
that it was not enough to cripple Ire
land economically. He added that per
sonally he had never seen a title of evi
dence that the crowns agents wer
guilty.
Sir Hamar read letters from "on
assassin to another" apparently tend
ing to show that the Sim Fciners wer
getting their wind up and that ster1
measures were having the effect O
chilling the ardor of terrorists. H
declared the terror was growing less
and assured the House that affairs il
Ireland were looking brighter.
The keynote of his address cam
when he dramatically announced hi
intention to rake Ireland from EAST t
west and north to south in search 0
arms. No man, whatever his position
70 house whatever shall be free fror
this search for weapons wherewit
loyal servants of the crown are bein
murdered" he declared.
The Chief Secretary finished on hi
high note of pcturing the government
in repressing the Irish disorders q
representing not only the British EN-
pire but civilization.
The Irish Secretary's speech effect
ually silenced much oppositionN
MacSwiney Attacked