The Birmingham age-herald., 1920-12-11
Move to Bring Peace Between Government and Sim Fein Leaders Announced By Pre- mier Lloyd George In the House of Commons
By Associated Press

By Associated Press
 London, December 10.- Martial law has been pro- claimed by Dublin Castle over the city and county of Cork, the city and county of Limrick and the counties of Tiperary and kerry.
 In an announcement made to the House of Commons today, Premier Lloyd George declared it was the in- tention of the British government to put down the lawlessness which for months has been prevalent in Ireland.
 Dublin city and the county of Dublin. although they have been the scenes of numerous affrays and of much vandal ism. were not included in the district which is placed under martial law, but Mr. Lloyd George told the commons that if conditions should warrant it the interdicted area would be extended.
 Under the proclamation, persons
 who, without authority, possess
 arms 1 or unauthorized uniforms
 must surrender them within cer-
 tain period, or lay themselves liable
 to trial by court-martial and the
 death penalty.
 The premier said he was convinced that in all sections of Ireland the ma jority of the people were anxious for peace and that the government like wise was desirous of peace and a fair settlement of the questions at issue.
 To this end, the premier asserted that the government would treat with Sim Fein members of Parliament who had not been "involved in the commits sion of serious crimes" These Sim Feiners, he added, would be afforded all protection. The government, how ever, would not grant safe conducts to London to such Sim Fein members of Parliament as had been involved in the commission of serious crimes.
 In expressing the determination of the government to put down disorder in Ireland. the premier declared it had no option but to continue to intensity it's campaign against "the small but highly organized and desperate minor ty'' in Ireland, which was using mur- der and outrage in order to attain the impossible" and which could bring peace neither to Ireland nor to Great Britain.
 DEBATE IS LIKELY
 The premier's statement of the govern ments willingness to negotiate with the Sim Fein, which was delivered in his most concilatory and persuasive mauacr created a most profound impression, both inside and outside Parliament. !. prnb- q bly wiii be debated in the House of Commons next Tuesday, Although the prenai&r -atii@sted that he thought it preferable that there should be no de- bate, it is thought the liberals will iusti- ute the discussion, believing that mar tia law should not be established in Ireland without the acquiescence of Par lament.
 It was remarked as significant that Sir Edward Carson, leader of the Ulster party, was absent when MT Lloyd George made his statement. On the other hand, if was declared that Sir Edward must have been acquainted with the new policy of the government and that his absence from the chamber would not be interpreted as indicating his serious dis sent from it.
 There is no indication as yet whether the Sim Fein members of Parliament will respond to the governments offer of safe conduct to discuss the posSi- bity of settlement of the controversy. The Sim Fein members of the commons from the beginning have absolutely re- fused to attend single sitting of the Westminster Parliament, and it is thought they may still refuse to respond to what in the lebbies was characterized today as an offer with an olive brancn in one hand the bludgeon of martial law in the other"
 TRUCE ISSUE FOREMOST
 One question dominating the situation is that of amnesty. According to some reports, the Rigt Rev. Patrick Joseph Clune, bishop of Perth Australia, who has talked recently with the premier, in- sisted that in asking that all the rebels lay down their arms, the premier was making an Impossible condition. The bishop intmated that the Sim Feiners would accept nothing less than complete amnesty.
 One of the points brought out in the colloquy which followed the premer's statement today was that the govern ment, while it was making no absolute promise, was willing to keep open the door for amnesty, the premier saying tEit amnesty was a subject that could pc discussed only when peace was restoreu' The view tonight among the liberals IS that should anything come Of the nego- tiations with the Sim Feiners, the pres ent Irish home rule bin cannot De tn9 governments last word
 Replying to a question. the premier said it was certainly "the govern ment's intention to proceed with the home rule bill"
 q am convinced, and quite regret fully" added Mir. Lloyd George, that it is essential in order to secure peace in Ireland that you must convince the whole of the people of Ireland that the authority of the law and of the empire is paramount: that we need to make 1t paramount; but that having established that fact. the British house of commons and the British nation are willing to barley with the people of Ireland with a view to establishing peace, good will and friendship"
 MT. Lloyd George emphasized the importance of the resolution of the Galway county council recently, which suggested that the ban on meetings of the Irish republican parliament should be withdrawn, in order that delegates might be appointed to dis cuss the situation with the govern ment.
 DRIVEN TO CONCLUSION
 In making announcement regarding martial law, the premier said the gov ernment had been driven to the con- clusion in view of recent incidents that it must take stronger action in certain disturbed areas
 Side by side with the announcement. the government was anxious to give