Evening star., 1921-03-10
GIBBS ADVOCATES
DOMINION FOR IRISH
English Writer Says Home
Rule Similar to Canada Is
Solution of Problem.

Dominion home rule as enjoyed by
Canada. Australia and South Africa
will be the ultimate solution of the
Irish question, according TO Si
Philip Gibbs, English writer ana
lecturer. in an address on Ireland
Past. Present and Future" at Polls
Theater yesterday.
Powerful forces. he said, including
the British labor party, noted educa-
tors and other distinguished profes-
sional men of England, were working
fndefatigably at present with that
goal in view.
Deploring existing conditions in
Ireland Sir Philip said he had come to
America TO present the perpleNlnS
problem to the people impartially
and he implored those in this coun-
try who have the interest of Ire
land at heart to lend their support
in aiding the home rule movement
interrupted Several Times.
Several times during Sir Philips
address he was interrupted by mem
bers of the audience, but when he
declared that mo group in America
can make the United States and Eng
land go TO war over the Irish question
he was roundly applauded by his
auditors.
Sir Philip briefly reviewed the early
s3history of Ireland and attributed the
troubles between north and south
" Ireland to the dispatch of the Scotch
into Ulster by James !. He con-
demned Britain for strangling Irish
industry in the old days, but blamed
such action to the passage of the
penal laws, which, he said, affected
England as we'll as Ireland.
"It was an age of cruelty the world
over" he declared. mot alone for Ire
land. but for the masses of all European
countries. Industrial conditions in Eng
land, as well as Ireland, were Strangled,
so it is not fair for the Irish to build up
their history on something separate"
Cites Beneficial Acts.
In relating the many beneficial legis-
lative acts, which he said had been in
strumental in making Ireland pros
porous country, the speaker cited the
land purchase acts of 1898. and the Win
dom act of 1908. when, he said, more
than 100000 pounds had been sub
scribed by Englishmen for the better
ment Of Ireland.
The speaker paid tribute to the 17o.o
Irishmen from all parts of Ireland who
"gallantly fought side by side with the
allies" and denounced the ''many blum
ders of staff officers in handling the
men," Instead of holding out friend
fy hand to Ireland at the time said
Sir Philip, ''red tape, brass helmet
methods were resorted to. which even
Lloyd George was compelled to ac-
knowledge as most stupid"
Describing rFe Easter insurrection'
as "stab in the back, at time when
England was fighting for civilization
Sir Philip said that it was the exc
cuticn of the leaders, "justifable. but
poor craftsmanship" that turned the
great majority Of Ireland to Sim
Fein.
Comm enting on present conditions.
the Englishman decried reprisals. and
denounced the black and tan forces as
"a Disgrace to those British soldiers
who fought Germany"
Better Element Rules.
TIE only excuse I have to offer for
the actions of these men is that they
are young, and are fighting an in
visible enemy. Your officers well
know the brutal instincts developed
by men compelled to face guerrilla
warfare"
In conclusion Sir Philip declared
that the better element in England
will settle the Irish question. and he
hoped satisfactorily. ireland has
declared war on England. We Were |
not scared by the Germans. and we |
won't run up the white flag to the !!
Irish"