The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-11-01
GOVERNMENT WINS IN COMMONS VOTE ON CENSURE MOVE
Premier Lloyd George Also Achieves Another 0ratorical Victory Before an Ex-
 peCtant Audience
By Associated Press

London, October 3l.-Ihe govern ment obtained its expected mandate from tho House of Commons tonight to proceed with the Irish negotia- tions. The unionist motion, censur- ing the government for initiating the Irish negotiations, was voted down, 439 to 43.
 The premier also achieved another of his oratorical victories before an expectant audience. So far as the movement of protest was designed to draw information as to the pro- ceedinEH of the conference it failed; the premier gave no information as to what has been decided. or is being discussed regarding Mir. Devalera's claim to independence and the ru- mored attempts to arrange conces- sions from Ulster for a united Ire land. These remain in the realm of speculation.
 One piece of information the pre- mier did give. It was that unless something happened within few days, presumably ia the conference. to solve the unsettled status of Ire- lands two governments, steps would be taken Co give the Ulster Pariia- ment the powers necessary to make it q real government
 Pictures Renewal of War
 Mir. Lloyd George declared that the time to question the negotiations was whsn he first proposed them to the Sim Fein by public correspondence last July. Much of his speech was devoted to holding before the com mons the prospect of d renewal of guerilla warfare If the conference broke down. He declared the first thing the government would have to do would be to ask the House to strengthen the crown forces, but pointed out the cost of renewed war fare and the reluctance of the coun- try to incur greater taxation and ask more young men to risk their lives He asserted the governments resolve to refuse concessions which would weaken the empire, but to explore all paths to an honorable peace, and en- phasized the fact that any agreement must be ratified by Parliament.
 The motion was proposed by Col. John Gretton, unionist, and seconded by Rupert S. Gwynne. No conspicuous leaders spoke in its support. Those who most strongly advocated the pol- ley of the motion laid much stress on their protests against negotiating with men who had denied allegiance to the crown.
 Labor Favors Negotiations
 Arthur Henderson, in behalf of the laborttes, explained that that party favored the negotiations, although opposing what he termed the previous policy of repression and retaliation.
 Former Premier Asquith supported the government. but deprecated the suggestion that renewal of tho wfkr was the only alternative if the cora- terence failed. Thia point Of viesg finds adherents among a section CT the Irish experts, who believe that q breakdown of the conference might be followed by continuance of the truce, pending further efforts of di- plomacy.
 The comment of one veteran parii- amentarian was that Mir. Lloyd Georges talk Of further war was not intended as a warning to the Sim Eein, but to Parliament not to harass those engaged in the negotiations.
 The prime minister said that a very grave issue had been raised as to the proceedings conducted by tho government and 1t was quite clear that there was q section in the House who had given very loyal support to the government in the main but who were full of misgivings with regard to this particular action and he felt it was essential that the situation should be cleared as soon as possible so that they might know what the view or the hOuSS Tedliy Wd5.
 Answers Craig Complaint
 Dealing with the complaint of Capt Charles Craig, leader of the Ulster unionists in the House, that neces- sary powers had not been conferred on the government of northern Ire land the premier explained that the government of Ireland act provided 1 that these powers should be con ferred on the two parliaments simultaneously If the southern par l liament did not come Into existence, he declared. something in the nature of crown colony would be set upi then powers would be conferred sim ultaneously aud the Ulster goyern- ment.
 The negotiations had intervened, and the government thought it in- advisable to set up a crown colony | until it was known how the negotia- tions would end. He waS sure this was paralyzing the activities or the 1 Ulster government, and the present condition was intolerabIe. He then gave to Captain Craig His pledge un- less something happened one way or another in the next few days tho I government would put the position l right It would either transfer the 1 necessary powers to the northern l parliament under the provisions or the act, if that were legally possi- blt, or otherwise 1t would ask Parlia- ment to pass short act for the pur- pose.
 T am now invited" he went ons 'to state what the opinions of the gov ernment arc, in the middle of con ference. on the subjects discussed there.
 Ready to Resign
 "Without caring one iota myself, the House of Commons must either trust its negotiations or replace them. | I want to know. my colleagues, l want 10 know whether you want us to try to make peace. If you do not, there will be one glad man who will go to his sovereign and say II hand in my portfolio
 If we discuss the matter in this House there will be no conference For the moment the government knows that the sympathies of Ireland are behind these people, said the | premier. The only ming the gov- i ernment can do Is to treat them as the representatives of the people admit that all the Sinn Fein declared | for a republic. that all the Sim Fein repudiated the authority of the 1 crown, but if we are not going 10 deal with them for that reason there is no one in Ireland to deal with 1 Recalling that Great Britain had dealt with rebels before. instancing South Africa. the prime minister as- i serted emphatically: The only issue | is whether the House will say: Drop these negotiations; crush the rebel lion first. then deal with Ireland aa seems Just In the eyes of Pariia- ment.'
 1 Mu.v Count Cost