The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1922-05-31
BRITAIN May
RULE IRELAND
Threat to Assume Control Is
Made
ny ED L. KEEN

LONDON. May si--Threat that
the British government may again
assume control OF ireland was made
in the house Of commons today BY
Winston Churchill. minister for the
colonies.
The colonial minister made his
statement on Irish affairs 10 n
crowded house,
lie declared that n Eamonn De
valera and other members, OF the
dali cream cabinet refuse 20 siRn
the prescribed declaration Of allie.
glance 20 the crown, embodied IN the
peace treaty establishing a free state,
Great Britain will consider the
treaty broken
in that event" Churchill de.
clared. the imperial government will
resume liberty OF action In Ireland"
Michael Collins and Arthur crif.
fifth we're In the gallery and heard
churehill's challenge. They held a
brief Informal conference with
Lloyd George early today and then
went 90 the house.
'srhe government under no circiim'
stances will devlsic from the atrict
letter and honest splrii OF the Irish
peace treaty" Churchill continued.
lie explained that Britain was pre-
pared 20 carry out 80 part Of the com.
pact and that similar adhcfence 10
the treaty would be demanded OF the
Irish.
Inclusion In southern Irish gov.
eminent OF irinhmen who we're not
prepared 20 uphold the treaty was
violation Of the pact. he naid.
The government viii resume IN
erty 81 action toward ireland n the
treaty IL not lived up TO-" Churchill
said. whether that action includes
resumption Of powers which have
been Transferred 10 the Irish or re
Occupation of territory which they
Iuhe government think appropriate
and proporsionate 90 the gravity Of
the breach"
The colonial secretary declared he
was abir TO make only AN interim
statement about ireland.
Until 10 days ago" he said. ''the
provisional government Of the Irish
Free state appeared resolved 20 en-.
force free elections and n necessary
TO put down forcsbly all armed re.
beilion.
The consequences OF the Collins
De Valera agreement. however. are
F.rioua. The new agreement strikes
directly At provisions of our treaty.
II seems probable that under such
agreement irishmrn will be able 70
give free expression 20 their views .
Churchill explained the belief OF
the British government that free
elections were prevented by the Col.
iins.De Valera coalition government
plan
"ff the new constitution n no, IN
accordance with the treaty. II the
proposed elections are such ne TO
lprevenf their effective validity. the
imperial government will feel per-
fectiy free 10 withhold iis assent 20
the results until these difficulties are
remedicd." he said.
The provisional leaders are not oct.
ling IN bad faith. Churchill said. nor
are they working with the repubii.
cans with tho intent TO bctray Brit
1 ism confidence IN Irelands good
name, but they have been rnisled. .
he kald.
Interviewed by the United Press
In the lobby of the hosrHe after
churchiil finished speaking. Michael
Collins and Arthur Griffith both de-
clarcd they considered the colonial
secr~sary's statement very fair
presentation Of the situation"
Collins will leave for Dublin 10
night Griffith will remain for sew.
erai days for further conferences
with the cabinets Irish committee.