Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1920-12-22
Women League Members
Tell of Investigation of :
Conditions in ireland

The testimony Of two Englishwom-
en-. Mrs. Annot Afskine Robinson and
Miss Ellen c. Wilkinson. both Of
Manchester, and representatives of
the Women's International League,
which recently conducted an investi-
cation into conditions in Ireland, con-
sumed the entire sessions yesterday.
After citing difficulties experienced
in securing vises for passports from
the American consul at Manchester.
Mrs. Robinson explained that it was
due to a feeling Of special RESPONSE
biltty to themselves that members Of
the Women's international League
voted to inspect conditions in Ireland
of the committee after ten-day visit
to that country, during which time
the towns Of Dublin. Balbriggan,
Derry. Belfast. Limerick. Tuan, CAL
way. Cork and Mallow were visited.
She said the committee found in the
called "reprisals" against the civilian
population were sometimes organised
by the soldiers, sometimes by the
Royal Irish Constabulary and some
times by the new armed forces at
tached to the constabulary. known as
the black and tans. The latter. she
added, were men far beneath the
average strata of the military.
Says Raids We're to TerroPize.
Tn addition to innumerable OUT
RACES by government forces. which
have left devastated areas, resem-
bling those of Belgium. In all the
places we visited" she said. the reg
are conducted in such a way as to
strike terror as widely as possible"
When questioned on the religious
situation in Belfast the witness de-
clared that little provision is made
for the education Of Protestant call
hplf
dren have good educational advan-
tages, with the result that there is
an illiterate Protestant class. very
easily manipulated by shrewd poll
ticians." who stir up religious hatred
to serve their own ends.
Mrs. Robinson told OF atrocities
which. she declared, were committed
by British soldiers and police against
Catholics in Belfast. She described
herself and nine associates who con-
Quoted the investigation as Prot
Quoting Lord French az having said
There are 100000 too many young
men in Ireland" Miss Wilkinson fol-
lowed Mrs. Robinson. and said that
the British official meant emigration
would prevent trouble in ireland.
She added that destruction Of CO.
operative industry and agriculture
in Ireland is a deliberate effort by
the mlnt2fy TO Iorce tntS emigration
Of the young men.
Defends Brftinh Soldiers.
After detailing her opinion Of raids,
fires. industrial and religious condi-
tions in Ireland. Miss Wilkinson de-
Tended the British soldiers sent there
to do the work by declaring they "are
saturated with propaganda of hate
against the Irish by tho government.
which makes them believe that such
conduct 10 justiaable."
while English opinion is becoming
more aroused to the needs of proper
policy in Ireland" she said. 1T has
been hard for us to believe that our
men were committing tho crimes with
which they are accused"
She told Of the activities Of certain
people in England. including Lord
Henry Bentfnck, Sir John Symon.
Lord Buckmaster and others, who are
doing all in their power to honestly
solve the Irish question" and added
that she felt sure. IL a referendum
were taken today. the coalition party
would be condemned for it's ruthless
policy" in Ireland.
Miss Wilkinson gave a graphic de-
scription of reprisals she witnessed in
Cork in October.