The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1920-10-12
WITHDRAW ARMY IN IRELAND, SAYS
 WOMAN LEADER
Strife Settled Only When Reprisals Cease is Mrs.
 Lawrence's Claim.
Written for the International News
 Service
By IMAGERY REX.

New York, Oct. 12.--"The first principal step for the British Gov ernment to take in the case of Ire land is to withdraw the army of oc- cupation that is there today"
 Similar words have been heard be- fore from Irish patriots, and from Americans, not only those whose her. ttaSe of sympathy for an oppressed country gives them keen insight into her misgovernment, but from many others whose opinions are born of a love of justice and fairness
 The words in this case are those of fish suffrage leader now featuring in New York City. Mrs. Lawrence is English, and has no affiliations with Ireland, yet she has clear understand ing of the situation in that unhappy land.
 Is An English Woman.
 1 am an English woman" says Mrs. Lawrence. and not Catholic. Ireland cannot be laid to national or religious reasons.
 Discussion and negotiation are necessary to solve the Irish problem. The army of occupation must be re- moved before that is possible. I wei come Lord Grays proposal of even a dominion government. That shows a willingness to come forward at least.
 Under arm yrule their is an atmo- sphere of suspicion. fear, hate, and military threats. While these shoot ! ings and reprisals are taking pla e, no peacemaking is possible.
 seriousness. She cannot deal with England admitting herself a con quered province. but only on terms of an equal national consciousness.
 "I am in touch with the situation. I have friends in Ireland and get con- stant reports from there.
 "We endured four or. five years of agony during the war, and why? To T Ns@
 Consider the recent history of Ire land. In 1913 the Home Rule Bill was passed. There was one small sec tion, Ulster, that threatened to fight 1t. MT. Bonar Law, Sir Edward Car son and Sir Frederick Smith all vow cd they would go to any lengths to prevent it going through.
 Carson and his crew imported German guns to prepare to resist.
 ''These men who held up home rule tand held their own countrymen suf- fering in their power are the same ahe agones of the British Govern ment. They are responsible for the Imprisonment of the Lord Mayor of Cork as well.
 Opinions on MacSwiney. "On the question of Lord Mayor 'NMacSwiney opinion is divided. His enimies rejoice, hopingthat he may de and that his followers will be dis COuTdReu. HIS ITlenuS dEe ol I"O minds, one that it is unnecessary that he sacrifice his life, and the other that his martyrdom is the last ex- pression of passive resistance. It IS really the supreme proof of an alien domination.
 ."The Lord Mayor says himself: The victory is not in enforcing the greatest suffering, but in enduring that suffering
 ''No force can crush his spirit. The only danger is that if he dies his friends may try to avenge his mar tyrdom, and that would take away the moral victory of his death.
 English Feeling Changes
 "One thing hopeful about the sit uation is the change of public feeling in England. Under the present Gov ernment it is hard to make change in Ireland, but if it Is defeated ano personnel the problem would be re- lieved.
 Labor Is going strong in England now, and at the next election if th' party gets in power or even in tht majority in Parliament it will mak' great changes The labor men stop ped the war with Russia and vii very likely help Ireland.
 '|Ireland will not trust the Liberal or the Conservatives because botl have betrayed her often At leas Labor hasn't deceived yet. Labo isn't under suspicion.
 "I do not believe in the idea o President Wilson that his League O Nations would solve the troubles e the world. I think some sort c league is necessary. His is only tn shadow of one.
 "The ideal league would represen the people of each country, not tn bureaucracies.'
 Mrs. Pethick Lawrence. famous i her fight for suffrage, was imprison ca five times in England during he behalf nf her beliefs