The New York herald., 1922-02-11
Griffith Tells Lloyd George
Provisional Government
Will Free Them.
NO FURTHER KIDNAPINGs
Collins DEGREES Amnesty for
British Military and Police
Hostility.

DUBLIN, Feb. 10 (Associated Press)
1t is reported that the men captured
in Ulster have been taken. to tEe Beg
gars' Bush Barracks. Inquiries there
from Dublin Castle and by members
Of the provisional Government failed
to confirm the rumor, but an official
at the Castle said he presumed that ii
the report was true it might mean
that the men were taken there pre-
liminary to their release.
The Beggars' Bush Barracks is now
under the authority Of the provisional
Government.
The following decree has been issued
by Michael Collins, head of the provi-
sional Government:
Now that q treaty of peace has been
concluded between the peoples of Ire
land and Great Britain, the provisional
Government hereby DEGREES general
amnesty with respect to all acts COM
mtted in the course Of the recent hos
tilities. The amnesty extends to all
members of the naval. military. police
and civil services of the British Gov
ernment and to all other persons by
whom acts of hostility against the
Irish people were committed, aided or
abetted, whether in Ireland or elewhere
during the past six years. and full pro-
lection of the law will be afforded such
persons against violence or injury OF
any kind.
"The provisional government appeals
to all citizens to respect this amnesty
In spirit and letter In this, as in other
matters, we must no allow ourselves tc
ha Dxtt1 l,xr<> f< t. IL
ing that the wrongs of the past may be
buried in oblivion"
LONDON. Feb. 10 (Associated Press).-
Late tonight there was still no news OF
the liberation of the men kidnapped ir
Ulstersor any knowledge Of their where
| abcuts. No further kidhappings hac
been reported. however. .H-
The Northern Government to-day
again telegraphed Viceroy Fitzalan ask
] ing what steps kad been taken in theil
behalf. Sir James Craig, the Ulster Pre-
mier, In message sent tonight to Bel
fast from London. said the Imperia
Government was hopeful of the early
release of the kidnapped Ulsterites.
| communication issued tonight from
Mr.. Lloyd Georges office said tha
Arthur Griffith had another interview
|
Chamberlain, who impressed upon hin
the gravity Of the situation that hac
been created by the continued detention
OF the Kidnapped men. The commune
cation added that Mr.. Griffith informed
the Premier that he had been assured
the men would be safe and that the
provisional Government would be abl,
to- get them gradually released"
The announcement was made in tn,
House of Commons that the Prime Min
| lister had notified Michael Collins tina
| the kidnappings in Ireland showed tn
necessity of the presence of British
troops in Ulster, and that the Norther,
| Irish Parliament had been assured tha
the number of British troops would b.
increased to any extent necessary I,
protect the inhabitants.
Winston Spencer Churchill, the Colo
NAL Secretary. said the Government be
lieved the Provisional Government wa
honestly endeavoring to start fresh an,
fair to maintain order and carry ou
the process OF the Government within
the limits of the Anglo-Irish treaty
Meanwhile he asked the House to Sc
that the Provisional Government had ,
fair chance.
Mr.. Churchill said that Prime Min
lister Lloyd George, in replying to tn
Provisional Governments assurance tina
the safety and return of the captive
would be secured, had sent telegram I
Michael Collins, in which he said:
You must hear in mind that ther
have been serious raids from souther
Ireland across the border into horther
Ireland during the last few days whic
your Government was unable to pre-
vent. In these circumstances th
northern Government is not merely EN-
titled, but in duty bound, to take ever
step to prevent the repetition of sue
outrages.
with regard 10 your remark abou
our troops In nogthern Ireland, the ne
cessity of their presence was clearl
shown by the events OF yesterday, an
the northern Parliament has been as
sured that they will be increased to an
extent necessary for the lawful protec
tion of every person and every class an
creed In the area of the northern Gov
ernment."
Mr.. Churchill again stressed the diff
culties of the southern Government
owing to lack of any legal authority an
also the belief of the imperial Govern
ment in the Provisional Government
good faith. The Secretary declared tina
by the ability OF the Provisional Gov
ernment 10 secure the unconditional re
turn OF the Ulster hostages the Hous
of Commons could judge of it's contrc
over its own people and of it's good fait
in carrying out the treaty. Tho imperis
Governments position was very stron
and the position of Ulster was unshak
able. II was the men In the south VIII