The citizen., 1920-10-21
BY EDWARD W. PickARp.

The Irish problem, instead Of ap-
preaching a solution, seems to have
taken a new lease Of troublous life,
and the woes Of the Emerald Isle are
increasing instead Of diminishing. This
deplorable fact is due directly to the
campaign Of murder, arson and intimi-
dalton that is being carried on by what
Sir Hamar Greenwood, chief secretary
for ireland, calls the inner circle Of as
sassins. The daily and nightly as
ssults on the police and other officials
of the British government provoke the
latter TO bloody reprisals which are to
considerable extent condoned and
excused by the government Premier
Lloyd George made a speech at Car
narvon which was interpreted by his
opponents as a justification of the re-
prisals. He said that 23S policemen
had been shot, of whom 100 had been
shot dead, and the patience Of the po-
lice had given way. with the result
that they hit back. Lloyd George de
clared that II. as was contended. there
was war In Ireland, then the war must
be waged on both sides. But when
policemen were shot In the back by
Sim Feiners the premier said, II was
not war but murder. He asked wheth-
er. under the system Of terrorism
which made II impossible to obtain
evidence. It was any wonder the police
shot the murderers.
Herbert Fl. Asquith. former premier.
who sees a chance to return to pow
er. declared Lloyd Georges speech was
a "condonation of the hellish policy
Of reprisals," and another part of II
he construed as Reputation. root
and branch. of dominion home rule"
He is rallying all anti-government
forces for a fight, as soon as parlia-
ment opens, over British government
In Ireland. Before that time the dele
cation from the Irish peace conference
Is to be received by the premier. and
II is believed he will then make a new
offer TO Ireland. Meanwhile the gov
ernment. says Sir Hamar Greenwood.
Of assassination. and II necessary viii
Increase the police force In the island
to many thousands.
One threatened result Of the campaign
Of assassination is the virtual blockade
Of n large part of Ireland through a
withdrawal of the mail and telegraph
service and the entire closing down Of
Irish railways. This would mean wide
spread distress and heavy loss to
farmers and traders. Whenever par
ties Of troops present themselves for
conveyance the rail workers refuse to
operate the trains. and the railway
directors now have agreed on the In
stant dismissal of these men. The car
rying out of this policy probably will
result In the cessation Of railway traf-
fic within a month.
The British secret service believes
II has proof that the Irish republic"
Is being aided. financially and by the
distribution of arms and the organiza-
tion Of an espionage system, by the
Red organization headed by Victor
Kopp. soviet envoy In Berlin. Kopp
handles funds from Russia and organ
lies propaganda through newspapers
and agents. and the secret service says
II has established the connection OF
this intrigue with revolutionary move
ments IN Ireland and other parts Of the
British empire. A dispatch from Paris
says Sim Feln agents have been trying
20 purchase submarines from Italy
and France. but were told that Great
Britain would consider the selling OF
submersibles 20 them an act OF war.