Great Falls tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1921-current, 1922-06-01

of this" said Mr.. Churchill, land one
of his surest means of striking against
the provisional government and the
treaty has been the existing of out
RACES in the northern area and so pro-
voking counter action which would be
sure to raise passions in the south"
Strike at Treaty Terms
In his statement MIR. Churchill de-
clared that the provision of the recent
agreement between the Irish factions
that four anti-treaty men be included
in the new Dublin government after the
election provided for by the free state
treaty, strikes directly at the provisions
of the latter treaty; adding that the
British. in making the treaty, did not
demand that the members of the Irish
parliament should take the oath pre-
scribed BY the treaty for the free state
parliament when finally constituted.
I'VE were content" he said. with
the provision inserted in article II Of
the treaty. that the members of the
government should in this interim
period sign a declaration Of adherence
to the treaty which heretofore has been
signed willingly by all the members of
the provisional government.
IF Mr.. De Valera and his three anti
treaty members, or whoever the minis
tiers are who are to rome into the
government after the election. are will
ing that declaration the treaty is brok-
fide manner we will have no grounds
for complaint but if they become mem
bers of the government without sign
ing hiatt declaration the treaty is brok-
en- by that very fact"
Griffith and Collins Approve
After Secretary ChurchiITs speech
Arthur Griffith and Michael Collins said
the colonial secretary had made a per-
fectly fair presentation of the situation.
II must now in fairness" continued
the secretary, "set forth the reason
which ! understand led or forced the
Irish provisional government COLLINS
faction) to enter this compact. which is
fundamentally opposed to the treaty.
They declared conditions in southern
Ireland were degenerating so rapidly
that they had not the power to hold a
freely contested election; that sporadic
conflicts would have resulted in many
parts: that the ballot boxes would have
been burned and persons and candi-
dates inundated or prevented from
taking part in the election. and that no
coherent expression Of the nations will
would have resulted.
IF that is true it is a very terrible
reflection upon the Irish people and
their capacity to use the democratic in
situations to which they have So long
and so loftily proclaimed their devo-
ton. 1t is also q reflection upon the
government which while urging us con-
~tiuously to withdraw our forces in order
to make the whole of the Irish people
see that we were acting in strictly good
faith. has rot been able In the whole of
the six months that has elapsed to or
ganize an efficient and adequate police
force capable of maintaining the treaty
position.
THE second reason advanced was
that the progress of disorder. lawless-
ness, and social degeneration had been
so rapid and extensive in the % coun-
ties since the departure Of the British
troops and the disbanding of the royal
Irish constabulary that the provisional
government could not possibly guaran-
tee the ordinary securities of life and
property if these securities were chal-
lenged by an active and violent repub-
lican minority.
Armed and Violent Minority
This minority, it was explained, con-
stituted mainly a comparatively small
number of armed men. violent in method
and manatical in temper. in many cases
disinterested or impersonal in motive.
But behind these, Strengthening disgrace
ing and multiplying these, were a large
number Of common, sordid ruffians and
brigands. raiding. numbering and pill
laying for personal gain or private re
yenQe,'