The New York herald. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1920-1924, 1920-12-11
PREMIER ANNOUNCES
POLICY IN IRELAND
Sim Fein Farley and Martial
Low Determined.
BIZ he Associated Press.

BIZ the Associated Press.
LoNpN. Dec. 10.-In announcing the
double policy of martial law to be ap-
piled to certain areas" of ireland to
put down murder and outrage" and
move to bring about conferences be-
tween the overnment and Sim Fein
leaders on the Irish situation, Lloyd
George declared to-day that under mar
tial law persons found possessing arms
after a certain date or unauthorized
persons wearing uniforms would be La
BILE tothe death penalty. On the other
hand, to facilitate negotiations, the
Premier announced the Government had
decided to give safe conducts to Sim
Fem members OF the House of Commons
who had not been involved In the COM
mission of serious crime"
Mr.. Lloyd George saig there had been
no negotiations between the Government
and the Sim Fem but that the Govern
ment during the last few weeks had
been In touch with Intermediates, ard
this had enabled the Government to
deach certain conclusions.
The Government. he said. was con-
WINGED that a majority of all sections
in Ireland was anxious for peace and
a fair settlement. and the Government
fair settlement
Intnsify Campaign.
with evidence at hand that the Irish
section IN control OF the Organization
Of violence, murder and outrage" was
not yet ready for real peace, however.
the Premier said the Government felt it
old take no course but TO continue and
intensity its campalgn against this
highly organized and desperate minor
ity."
While denying that the Cabinet had
opened negotiations with the Sim Fein
Mr. Lloyd George confirmed the reports
that Il was in touch with intermeda-
ries. apparently referring to the Right
Rev. Patrick Joseph Cune, Bishop Of
/ Perth. Australia. with whom the Pre-
m'er has had interviews recontlv
The names Of the Sim F'ein MEM
beers OF the Commons whom the Gov
eminent will meet win be published, and
every facility for protection given them.
as 1t was very important. the Premier
said. that there should be no suspicion
OF any breach of faith If n meeting
took place. II would be very unfortu-
nate. he remarked. Il the members OF
the Irish Parliament met under the i'm
preston that they We're exempt, and
then were arrested.
1t was difficult. added the Premier.
20 know 20 what extent those who came
to see the Government could really
speak on behalf Of men who mattered
but 1--WE must give them every oppor-
tunity, because peace Is very important"
Break ID Terrorists.
The Premier said he regretted that
the men who we knew were promoting
murder have not given any indication
that they are prepared to surrender
upon the only terms this country could
possibly accept, consistent with Is self
respect or with the prospect OF an en-
during peace in Ireland And the Gov
eminent Is determined to break up these
terrorists, who are more or less organ
I izac 10 cause otherwise Il is not though
possible for Ireland TO recover that in
dependence which Is essential for peace. .
Then. referring 70 the intention to de-
clare martial law in certain areas, Mr..
Lloyd George said:
What Is the position, more particu-
larly In southwest Ireland? These or
ganized insurgent forces until recently
dwelt in something approaching complete
immunity But they were forced TO the
hills, whence they attacked the police
and intimldated their own race II is
necessary that they should be captured
or broken up IL is difficult to capture
them, as they are dressed either in civil
ian clothes or in captured British uni
forms II Is for this reason we have de-
cided to declare martial law and to metc
out 20 these persons the same treatment
as II they were open rebels"
The Premier appealed for the assist
ance of the parish priests I'm facilitating
the surrender of arms and uniforms,
Al. sssr sine
certain date would make persons La
BILE to trial by military court and to the
death penalty Mr.. Lloyd Georeg also
declared that some penalty would be
applied 20 the unauthorized wearing OF
British uniforms and 20 tho aiding.
abetting or harborlng Of rebels.
New Spirit in ireland.
Two or three very important docu-
ments had come from ireland in the
last few days. Mr. Lloyd George said.
The most important. he said. was that
from the Galway County Council. This
was "the first area OF dry land which
had shown itself after the deluge OF
unconsttutionality in that country
This, he commented. marked the return
on the part Of an important body 20
constitutional methods
The communication, said the Premier.
was a welcome sign Of n new spirit In
ireland. and it was the duty OF the
Government 10 encouraeo 1T, because e
was an encouraging return to constitu-
tlonai methods in an area which had
been one II The most disturbed ana most
difficult IN ireland The resolution vas
carried. he commented. against the rro-
tests Of the Sim Foiu leader IN that
area.
Another communication. Mr.. Lloyd
George recalled. Waf the. from Fntner
Orlanarnn Tho premiat enid tha