The New York herald. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1920-1924, 1920-10-17
IRISHREPRISALS
AID OPPOSITION
! In PARLIAMENT
To Be Basis for Attacks on
Policy of Lloyd George
Cabinet.
SUPPORTERS CALLED FOR
Debate Set for Opening Day
and Party Call Urges Full
Attendance.

Special Gable to TUT NEW York HERALD.
Copyright, 1890, by THE New York HERALD.
New York Herald Bureau,l
London, Oct. 10.
British history may once more re-
volve about Ireland when the House
Of Commons convenes next Tuesday.
Premier Lloyd Georges open avowal
Of policy Of reprisals, and implied
defence of them has, however, con-
solidated the opposition as nothing else
could have done. Herbert H. Asquith,
one time Premier. taking advantage of
this this week made several speeches
developing his Irish plan. The debate
In the House is set for the opening day.
The Government has issued a party
call urging full attendance.
Cabinet Policy Supported.
Despite the renewed concentration Of
interest on the debate, and despite the
apparent strengthening of the cpposi-
ton, there is nothing to indicate that
the Lloyd George majority in the House
is seriously damaged. Indeed. 1t seems
most likely that history will record tho
backing by the House of Commons OF
the Governments ruthless efforts to put
an end to the numbering of policemen
the Sim Fein and to make it's own set
tlement. The only evidence of conciiia-
ton on the part of the Government IS
the report that the Cabinet is consider
ing amendments to the home rule bill
which would grant control of the ex-
else and customs in Ireland. However.
there is no possibility of such conces-
sions conciliating Irish opinion to any
appreciable extent.
L.
basis of the bill, and she will not accept
any settlement wherein she is not rec
ognized as equal in sovereignty with
Great Britain. in order that such settle
ment may be guaranteed by something
more than a British promise. On the
other hand, there are numerous evil
dences that the Government Is going on
with its repression policy sitter than
ever.
Sir Hamar Greenwood. Chief Secre-
tary for Ireland, in addressing BLACK
and Tan" recruits this week. declared
that the men who were responsible for
the recent killings of soldiers and con-
stables were known and that the Gov
eminent would soon round up all OF
them.
Asquith's Line or Attack.
Hence it is predicted here that Pre-
House of Commons for support because
of the prospect of success forshis policy
avoiding the direct issue of the morality
of the reprisals or his policy generally
while the Asquithians will attack the
basis of the policy by the Government,
arguing out the abstract morality of the
policy, as well as asserting that the
Lloyd George policy will not bring a
final settlement anyway.
Art O'Brien Sim Fein representative
in London, told THE HERALD correspon-
dent that so long as the Irish question
was thus made the football of British
politics there was no chance for q real
settlement.
Lloyd Georges defence of the repri-
sails certainly was better than any
propaganda possible for u.s. he said.
''He talks about Black and Tan pa
thence wearing out in the face of the
killings, How about Irish patience dur
ing the last four years of searches, ar
rests and imprisonments? Americans
thinking of the killing or policemen In
ireland must remember that the Royal
Irish Cois;tabulary are not police at all
as the term police is generally under
stood. They are a combination OF politi-
cal agents and an army of occupation"
Under these circumstances. while the
debate next Tuesday will take place In
an atmosphere Historically reminiscent
of Gladstone-Mr. Asquith's tour as
compared with Mr.. Gladstone's Mid
lothian campaign--there is little lilseli-
hood of Il effecting q settlement any
more than the heroic Gladstone efforts.