Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1921-04-29
Sir Hamar Raps
Irish Republican
Army's Methods

London, April 2s-In an impassioned
address today in the House of Com
mons on the Irish situation Sir Ha
mar Greenwood, the chief secretary
Of Ireland, described the Irish repub-
lican army as "murderers," and de-
clared deeds were being perpatrated
/ in ireland which it was difficult for
British civilians. the military or po-
lice to believe could be done by human
hands.
For example. charged Sir Hamar
the murder of Protestants was in pro-
gress as deliberate plan, and there
had been "a horrible case of the de-
secration of Protestant Church. -
while Is Protestants had been muir
dered recently without rhyme OF
reason and under revolving circum-
stances"
1t was not, however, case of Ro-
man Catholics against Professionals. he
said. There was also a deliberate
plan of attack, intimidate and in some
cases murder eX-service men. The
chief secretary said documents had
been captured showing that an often
sive was being opened in Ulster to in
terfere with the coming elections, the
plans including possible action
against the Belfast water supply and
other methods of sabotage.
One document. said Sir Hamar
stated that if the Irish republican
army had to contend with certain dis
advantages in this hostile territory,
there was compensation in that ii
would not have to consider the popu-
lation. except to a small extent
In introducing the vote for the
Irish Office, the chief secretary ex-
pressed regret that since the lasht
debate, the Srnn Fein threat to news
papermen in Ireland had become more
pronounced and he declared one OF
them had been obliged to leave the
country under the threat of death.
Dealing with the police forces, Sir
Hamar said the auxiliaries had spe-
cific function which would be perform
ed by no other force--a statement
which brought ironical cheers from the
opposition. Sir Hamar asserted the
auxiliaries had to go into the most
disturbed areas and said that the or
der from Sim Fein headquarters was
to shoot them at sight. The discipline
off all the crown forces in Ireland
said Sir Hamar, under the circum-
stances was extraordinarily good and
was improving.
The government. Sir Hamar declar-
ed, declined to differentiate between
the north and south of Ireland in ap.
lpying the home rule act.
The prime minister, replying in the
debate, declined to postpone the cleo.
tfons because that would give the i'm
preston that parliament could not be
trusted. To Ireland must be left the
responsibility of accepting or reject
ing.
Mr.. Lioyd-George' speech was
largely a repetition of his former
statements that an insurrectionary
movement in Ireland is what ALWAYS
happened when England. as during the
war. had her thoughts and energies
preoccupied elsewhere The premier
challenged his critics to suggest any
alternative policy to that of the gov
eminent. except surrender. and he
would not be responsible for a policy
Of surrender. Hence the government
must persist in the policy of rcestab-
fishing the authority of the law, how
ever long it took. Just as did the
United States in the fight against Sc
cession.
Mr.. Lloyd-George concluded by read.
ins from . document drawn up after