New Britain herald. [microfilm reel] (New Britain, Conn.) 1890-1976, 1922-05-31
Secretary Churchill Declares Mill.
tary Action Would Follow
Attempt to Set Up Such a
Government
INSISTS AGREEMENT IS
IN OPPOSITION TO PACT
Troops In Dublin Awaiting Eventual
ities-DOes Not Believe That Elec-
ton. as Proposed, Would be Salts
factory or Fair-Britain VIII Insist
on Terms Of Treaty Being Carried
Out.

London, May 31.-(By Associated
Press )-Secretary Churchill, in the
course of the debate following his
statement on the Irish situation, re-
iterated that Great Britain would not
tolerate establishment of republic in
Ireland. He said the British troops
remaining in Dublin were militarily
secure and were awaiting eventuali-
ties.
In the event Of a republic is set
up" added the colonial secretary, 1T
is the intention of the British govern
ment to hold Dublin as one of the
preliminary and essential steps of mil
itary operations"
Arthur Griffith and Michael Collins
said the colonial secretary had made
perfectly fair presentation of the
situation. Mr.. Collins will return to
Ireland this afternoon. Mr.. Griffith
will remain in London for few days.
Assails Agreement.
Secretary Churchill for the colonies
asserted in the house of commons to-
day that the agreement reached be-
tween the political factions in south
ern Ireland last Saturday strikes di-
'rectly at the Anglo-Irish treaty.
Mr.. Churchill in beginning his state
naent on the Irish situation which he
nd promised for to-day, said this
would be only statement ad interim.
Crisis 10 Days Ago.
No one disputed, said the secretary,
that the wish of the Irish people was
reconciliation which would give Ire
land her freedom. her place in the
world and the hope of final unity. Up
to 10 days ago the leaders of the
provisional government had appeared
to be resolved to march steadily for
ward through free election. and put
down, if necessary by force, all armed
persons who tried to prevent them.
The agreement reached Between
Michael Collins, head of the provision
al government and Eamon De Valera
the republican leader however, struck
at the provisions of the
treaty, Mr.. Churchill declared.
Consequences Serious.
The consequences of the agreement
we're very serious. he said and it
seemed probable that the Irish peo-
Pile would not be able to give express
sion to their views.
If Mr. De Valera or any of the
others who might be ministers in the
IRISH government refused to sign the
declaration prescribed in the treaty,
he secretary continued, the treaty
vas broken by the fact, and the i'm
'erial government resumed such lib
'rty of action whether in regard to
he resumption of the powers which |
lad been transferred or the re-oc-
OF territory-as it might |
hink appropriate and proporeionate
o the gravity of the breach.
Govt. Will Not Deyiate.
: The imperial government would not
n any circumstances agree to deviate
rom the treaty, either in the strict
atter or the honest spirit of the docu-
ment Mr.. Churchill declared.
1T is almost certain Mr.. Churchill
vent on, that the Irish people will
ot be able to say in an intelligible
5ay whether they accept or reject the
reaty offered by Great Britain. A
ertain number of labor organizations
1ay be able to secure recognition but
IL difficult to see how the parlia-
1ent resulting from the election and
he government to be based on that
arliament after the election can have
ither representative or democratic
ual:ty or authority as it usually un-
erstood."
Strikes AT Treaty.
The provision of the agreement
hat four anti-treaty men would be in
luded In the government after the
lection strikes directly at the provis-
ons of the treaty.
The British, in making the treaty
he secretary continued did not de-
land that the members of the par
ament should take the oath pre-
cribed by the treaty for the free state
arliament when it should finally be
onstituted I'VE were content" said
[r. Churchill, with the provision in
erted in article II of the treaty, that
1e members of the government
1ould in this interim period sign
eclaration of adherence to the treaty.
-hich heretofore has been signed
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