El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1920-05-15

Public Feeling Changes.
The sensational statement made
above Is merely an opinion OF the
writer. No concrete evidence can be
brought forward that It is true. It
rests upon a general and evident
change in public feeling, that a re-
porter who has lived among the
English much OF five years and come
70 know them cannot help but sense.
Premier Lloyd George undoubtedly
has already correctly sized I'D the
sim Fetn movement He can ap-
praise popular opinion as we'll or bet
ter than any man living, and he
knows that ireland outside Of Ulster
can never again peacefully settle
down under English rule The prime
minister must. however before act
ing. make sure that the bulk OF his
own people are back OF him IN right
ing an historic wrong
Since the 1916 rebellion. southern
Ireland has successfully defled Brit
ISL control In spite OF the army on a
war footing maintained in the island.
The methods used 70 make govern
ment impossible" are familiar: they
include refusal 20 pay taxes, refusal
TO recognize English magistrates,
boycott OF English banks and mer-
chants, constant sabotage and sur
ficlent serious plotting to keep the
authorities always on the Jump, al
ways ready for serious trouble.
bitterness Increased.
These tactics have not made Ire
land more popular IN England The
terrorist campaign OF murder against
'traltorous" Irishmen. notably mem
hers OF the royal Irish constabulary,
his increased the bitterness felt BY
the ordinary Englishman against the
men who shot down soldiers without
Easter week, plotted with Germany,
and refused 70 volunteer for the
army OF accept couscription.
This almost universal ul-feeiing
against Ireland was never more wide
spread than today. Yet as have said
reasons for this. and the dangers
still IN the path OF the Irish cause
viii be briefly indicated
The English. from their little
Island have conquered much OF
the worlds Ike the Romans, they
are n Eueeessful governing race
and that means they govern with
intelligence moderation and com
mon sense They have completely
and iamentably failed IN Ireland
and they know Il.
But they have not failed 50 badly
as Germany OF France might have
failed in similar circumstances. They
have acted with Etudious moderation
throughout these trying years
Time after time, when feeling IN
could prevent an outbreak but sur
render BY the castle authorities. the
castle with its tanks and machine
guns and airplanes and its legions has
yielded 70 unarmed mObs- The most
recent and most striking instance yet
recorded happened when all southern
Ireland went on general strike 70
secure the freedom OF hunger-striS-
ing Sim Fem prisoners in Mountioy
prison. Mobs surrounded the fails.
engines OF war and helmeted SOL
oilers were FASTENED to the scene.
Bonar Law firmly announced IN the
house OF commons in London that the
prisoners would under no circum-
stances be released
Lesson to England
It soon became clear that deaths IN
that prison would set ireland on fire. I
There would be no danger TO the
British army, massacres OF almost Z
unarmed men by machines and SOL !
diers would result. But that genius !
for compromise. for surrender at the Z
right time. that has preserved the I
British empire, came into play Just I
before Il would have been too late. /.
The government surrendered uucon- Z
ditionally, the men were sent home I
Ireland went back 70 work.
II has been lesson for England. 7
that strike. More and more Il IS /
being said. quietly and timidly, They 1
are right We cannot govern by force 4
ard force only II the whole country I
holds out against u.s."
Several men. in strictest confidence.
have recently admitted to ne that I
England Will withdraw her troops I
from southern Ireland. probably safe
guarding unionist Ulster. as soon as
British opinion viii stand the move
The names OF two OF those men
would cause a sensation II published.
This view IS not confined to liberals
or old home rulers. and suggestions
that I'VE get out OF Ireland and let
them cut each others threats n they
Ike" are increasingly heard IN
,rusted Tory circles.
The present trend OF opinion here
Is a moral triumph for the directors
lf Sim Fein policy. They have
tackled their Job. since the 1915
tragedy, with profound knowledge ]