The Chattanooga news. [volume] (Chattanooga, Tenn.) 1891-1939, 1920-12-11

The proclamation OF martial law In
ireland. Just as negotiations seemed 10
have been instituted that would offer a
peaceful solution 20 the unhappy state
OF affairs In the Emerald Isle, can but
cause sorrow to American friends both
OF Great Britain and her discontented
neighbor.
MIR. David Lloyd George. however, IL
quite consistent. For some reason he
has taken the blood and iron policy In
regard to the treatment OF latter-day
Ireland. Martial law IL the logical and,
indeed. inevitable outcome OF the pre-
mier's sentiments in his famous Car
narvon speech about month ago. The
informal discussions that had begun
between Sim Fein and Westminster
have not yet been forcibly broken, but
II seems far too likely that such will
be the case.
Fair-minded British people are re-
ErettinR more and more that they did
not settle the Irish problem in 1914,
when they had q real chance; then II
was not Sim Fein. but Ulster. which
was In arms. The Belfast volunteers
we're secretly training at night; they
had arms. ammunition. uniforms. lead
ers, and even national Spokesman who
openly defied the Asquth government
to do anything about It. The home
rule bill had been passed. and the "Ul-
ster rebellion" was almost an actual
ity. Ulster is a small part Of Ireland,
both in area and population. and II was
fully as necessary that It be made TO
conform to parlIament's behest and the
wish OF the majority OF the Irish people,
as II IL today that the former should
be forced and the latter houted
But nothing was done; the govern
ment weakened before Sir Edward
Carsons open defiance and threats OF
an armed insurrection; Lord French
fatty refused to coerce Ulster, threat
enlng to resign from the army frst;
pretty soon the war came along. and
the execution of the home rule act was
suspended. ireland was promised, how
ever that In few months II would be
enforced Under such promises she
went gladly into the war, and many
thousands OF good Catholic south OF
Ireland men volunteered; Sir Philip
Gibbs refers again and again TO the
gallantry OF these divisions in the
fiercest battles OF the war.
The cabinet. though. began to warm
up suspiciously to sir Edward Carson.
and after a little time made him one
Of It's members: the Inauguration OF
home rule was suspended again and
again. until the irish gave II up In
despair as something that would never
be given at all: Sim Fein was the re-
suit. It ,as movement OF the intel
iectuals. The nationalist party ut the
first had the majority: II was for
bringing about changes by parliament
tary action. But The college professors
piaywrights, writer's and others OF the
new type OF leaders did not think that
John Redmond's ideas could be worked
out. they had failed for 500 years. Slnr
Fein was founded: Il was not composed
OF a desperate band OF cutthroats, al
the Fenians had been. 1t did believe
however, that independence was essen
tial to Irish happiness,
At the close OF the world war CANT
renewed ray OF hope, would the 1911
home rule bill at last be applied2 Blu
nay. 1t was not to be. The Carson
element had gotten n firm control oil
the cabinet and Its policies were TO b.
| followed; great numbers OF troops wer,
sent across the Irish sea; GARRISON
were in every town, ana rspressiv
measures were instituted. Under these