Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1920-08-25
IRISH MODERATES
ASK SPEEDY TRUCE
Peace Promised as Soon as the
English Government Sub
mfts Home Rule Plan
BLAME DISORDER ON ARMY
BY tho Associated Press

dublin, Aug. 20.--Resolutions sug
Gestins a truce between opposing Irish
factions and declaring IL was possible
for the British Government to secure
peace in ireland by an Immediate and
binding offer Of full national self gov
ernment, to be accepted or rejected by
specially elected representatives of the
people Of Irelrnd, were adopted yester-
day at the conference of Irish Moder-
ates. The meeting was marked by fiery
oratory on the part OF several speak
ers, but there was no disorder.
The only speech from the Ulstermen
was made by the Earl Of Shaftesbury,
who did much toward quieting the con :
ference before the noon recess, when
feeling was shown by many present.
The afternoon session was opened by
Sir Horace Plunkett, chairman of the
Dublin convention, who plainly stated
he had no definite plan for dominion
home rule, but sought to organize a
movement to bring together extremists
on both sides. He paid tribute to the
Sim Fein for having done much for
government In ireland, but said that,
while circumstances compelled the Sim
Feiners to exercise authority, they must
eventually accept a compromise.
Plans for Republic Made
W. II. Judge, a former Republican
volunteer, urged an amendment to the
resolution by which the convention
would go on record as favoring a re-
public. He also denounced the treat.
ment given Lord Mayor Terence Mac
Sweeney, of Cork, and other political
prisoners. With other members Of the
convention he had not been present at
q meeting previous to the formal seS
sion this morning, which passed a reso-
luton asking the government to release
MacSweney and other persons now In
British jails. His amendment was ruled
out of order, but during the rest Of the
meeting he kept insisting on his point
of view, but was finally quieted by vol
unteers, chiefly former soldiers.
James Brandy, an old Parnellite and
former member of the House Of Com
mons. brought new note into the pro.
ceedings with a speech. the keynote of
which was "ceose fire." Other speak.
ers supported the resolution, but the
climax came when High Sheriff Nc
Walter, Of Dublin. declared in an i'm
passioned speech that the military was
virtually responsible for the lack of or
der in Dublin.
II have a Letter in my pocket from
Lord French" he said, giving me
charge Of Dublin. am ready to take
that responsibility and will maintain
order IL every soldier and policeman is
withdrawn from the streets. could
keep good order and good will with
volunteers and former soldiers and am
ready to give that guarantee. IL they
leave the situation to me-"
Lucerne. Switzerland, Aug. 25.-(By
A. P.)-Premier Lloyd George in a
statement today concerning the case of
Lord Mayor MacSweney, OF Cork. whose
condition is grave because of his hunger
strike In Brixton Jail. London. said in
quences, the government could not take
the responsibility of releasing Mac
Sweeney.
The premier declared he regretted
MacSwcney had decided to starve him
self. but said that IL he were released
then all the other hunger strikers would
have to be released.
"A law which is a respecter of per.
sons is no law" Mr.. Lloyd Georges
statement continued. "If the cabinet,
therefore, departed from its decision, a
complete breakdown of the whole ma
chinery Of law and government in Ire
land inevitably would follow"
The release some weeks ago of hun
ger strikers in Ireland was followed by
an outburst Of cruel murder and out
rage he continued.
The premier cited the crime for which
Lord Mayor MacSweney was convicted
and said it indicated he was concerned
in conspiracy against the constabu-
larry. who are the defenders of order
In Ireland Mr.. Lloyd George declared
1t was the governments, duty to pro-
tect these brave men. He concluded:
Il may add that every invitation to
discuss, with those who are for the
moment the spokesmen for Irish ma
tionalism, peaceful settlement of Ire
land has been spurned by them. The
latest offer Of the government, made in
Parliament on the date of its adjourn
ment, has been scornfully rejected by
their leaders, and we have been driven
to fight against the claim for complete
secession of Ireland, north and south,
from the British empire. This claim
we can never recognize"
Dublin, Aug. 25.-Ireland yesterday
cried out for peace and. through a well.
lntentioned and enthusiasts meeting of
leading Irishmen from all parts of the
virtually sent an ultimatum to
the British Government that unless
England. permitted the Irish themselves
to solve the Irish problem "all of us
will join the Sim Fem
The convention was, in effect, an
other attempt to further the cause of
peace In Ireland. All the speakers,
from the Earl Of Shaftesbury, of Bel.
fast, to Sir Horace Plunkett, of Dublin,
and John Sweetman, prominent Sim
Feiner, to Catholic and Protesta Mt
priests, emphasized the longing of the
whole of ireland for settlement Of the