New-York tribune., 1920-12-13
Cork Eteprisals
Declared Death
Blow to Peace
Burning of City Climax of
Long Series of Crimes
and Attacks in Which
Lives Were Mere Pawns
Ends Fortnisg sgsElt of Terror
Outbreak Expected to Force
Debate in Parliament
ON Lloyd George Policy

PROM The Trjbumc's European B,r.oa
Copyright, 1920. New York Tribune Inc.
LONDON, Dec f2.-ln all the long
series of crimes, rcprisals and counter
attacks III Ireland there is no parallel
Tor to-day's disaster, the burning of
Cork. For the last fortnight scenes
and events in that city have been such
as were witnessed in the Western
mining camps of fifty years ago, where
lie was made a gamble by the lack Of
respect for human life. The Crown
forces have been particularly active
and the Irish extremists unusually
daring.
To-day came the crisis. 1t was the
hrst development since Lloyd George
made his announcement of dual
Irish policy of coercion and recon
ciliation. 1t coinclded with the intro
duction of martial law In the four
southwest counties that are the strong
hold Of the republicans.
Labor Members Aroused
In the opinion Of many in London
tonight it is d body blow to those
VINO have had hopes of an early peace
in Ireland. The Labor members of
Parliament almost certainly will seize
this opportunity to bring the Premier's
policy up for debate They are con-
tending already that by declaration
OF martial law Lloyd George has taken
fatal step away from peace. Even
the Irish moderates say that there can
be no peace under the conditions laid
down by the Premier.
Arthur Griffith, vice-president of
the Irish republic" issued state
mcnt from Mountjoy Prison, Dublin.
to-day, which was written, however,
prior to Lloyd Georges speech. It
said: a
The people of Ireland need pay no
attention to the statements of the in
spired English press regarding indi
vldual members Of the ministry apd
OF the Dali Eireann. The ministry acts
as unit in international relations and
no member has acted or will act
without the knowledge and concurrence
of his colleagues. Ireland desires to
live in peace with all nations without
exception, but Ireland won't accent
suoJugation in any form in the false
gulse of peace"
Premier's Position Denounced
The Dublin Sunday Independent.
summarizing the developments Of the
Lloyd Georges declaration has real
lzed the worst fears of those who
thought his own desires for peace.
whether; whether dictated by principle or ex-
pedlence, would survive Carsonita die
ttation: The very midest thing that can
be said about his statements is that
they were far from helpful"
j. l.. Garvin, in a long article in The
Sunday Observer written before to-
days outrage, says that the next move
IN the Irish peace negotiations rests
with Sim Fen.
"If they wish to make peace and will
take the present Home Rule bill as
dual basis of sett ement." he says,
they can insure the enlargement Of
its financial provisions. They can
operation of the two legislatures. They
can begin that work with a reconcilia-
tion with Ulster, which nothing but
vnforced consent will ever promote and
complete. They can turn to golden
account constructive chance such as
Ireland has not known for more than
hundred years or they can plunge
her back into the eclipse The can
make Ireland's Christmas sorrowful
nd somber beyond human telling or
they can make it glad and of immeas-
urably good auspices. Now let's leave
it to them, and let British parties dur
ing the next few short weeks restrain
their nassinn for dehaten