Pueblo chieftain., 1921-04-01

Washington, March 31.-General con-
clusions of the unofficial commission
of the Committee Of One Hundred, in
vestigating conditions in Ireland plac-
ing moral responsibility for disorders
there on the British government are
characterized as 'biased and wholly
misleading" in a statement issued to-
day by the British embassy in answer
to the commissions work.
The report, the embassy statement
amount of weight which should be
given to any judgment based entirely
upon the evidence of exparte state
, ments and put forward for the most
part by persons admittedly holding
extreme views"
under almost incredible provocation,
patiently borne during many months,
have on some occasions broken the
bonds of discipline and committed un-
justifiable acts OF violence is not
denied" the embassy statement con-
tinued, but to say that such acts have
been ordered. encouraged or condoned
by the British government is absolute
ly false. The interests which suffer
most by acts of indiscipline are those
Of the government itself"
The statement issued by the en-
bassy said:
ireland. so far from being n de-
vastated country. is the most prosper
Gus part of the United Kingdom and
probably of western Europe. A re-
liable index to the general prosperity
of the country can be found in the re-
turns of deposits in joint stock banks
which have increased as follows: 1914.
e147.o0o,ooo: 1919. fl66.ooo,oOo: 1920,
G20O. 900 900.
This prosperity continues and is
only affected In a very minor degree
and that mainly in the north-by the
general Industrial depression.
"The report of the committee lays
stress on so-called reprisals and ig-
nores the fact that before even the
Irish propagandists suggested. In Sep
tember. 1920. that reprisals were taking
place. 92 policemen. T. soldiers and
cold blood and 1876 policemen. IS soldiers
and u civilians wounded in most cases
withous n chance of defending them
selves: 100 buildings had been burned
and wholly or partly destroyed.
THE Sim Fein has established II.
position by the terror Of the revolver
which has siienccd the moderate opin.
lon of the vast majority of Irishmen
II desires to claim for the Irish Re-
publican army that status OF belliger-
ents. ignoring that the members OF
that force constantly. indeed. invaria-
bly,. violates the laws of war. Their
methods are those of the assassin.
Increasing pressure by crown forces
has succeeded in forcing them more
and more to abandon the methods OF
individual assassination in favor of al
legged attacks by armed bands but the
furtivc character OF their activities.
still continue. That the crown forces.
under almost incredible provocation.
patiently born during many months.
have on some occasions broken the
bonds of discipline and committed un-
justifnblc acts of violence is not de-
MED. but to say such acts have been
ordered. encouraged or condoncd by
the British government is false.
The actual facts with regard to spc-
cinc points raised In the report Of the
committee follows:
THE total ration strength OF the
crown forces is $1,000. The nnteccdonts
of nll recruits are carefully investi-
gated and no man OF known bad char
actcr is retained.
There has been no indiscriminatc
killing: men have been shot thru fail
ing to halt when challenged by scntrics
and innocent persons, including women
and children. have suffered death or
wounds in armed conflicts resulting