Great Falls tribune., 1922-04-23
BY GEORGE NJ. BARNES
British Parliamentary Leader
Special Cable &c The Great Falls Tribune
Copyright. 1922, by The Great Falls Tribune

| Special Cable &c The Great Falls Tribune
Copyright. 1922. by The Great Falls Tsibune
/ London. April 22-With Ireland fac
| ing revolution and the provisional gov
ernment unable decisively to assert its
authority, Great Britain today finds
it impossible to become alarmed over
the possibility that the Russo German
agreement at Genoa may presage a new
cleavage in Europe. Domestic affairs
eclipse all others at this moment. Our
home difficulties and perils demand our
first attention
De Valera himself is irresponsibility
personified. In nonsensically worded
manifesto. issued last Sunday he tells
the young men and women of ireland
that "Irelands yours for the taking"
Certain excited. excitable and imma-
ture persons are taking it. They take
it in bits. One section. under General
Rory O'Connor. has taken the law
courts at Dublin. Another took Sligo
and attempted to deny free speech
there 10 Arthur Griffiths An attempt
has been made to take some prisons
youths tried to take Michael Collins.
head of the government.
Life Is Disarranged.
The entire normal life of southern
Ireland has been disarranged and it's
people subdued. The intention Of the
insurgents, of cours. is clear enough
They desire to prevent the people re
cording free expression of opinion
through the ballot boxes. Some of the
actors in this pitiful drama have dis
claimed any connection with De Valera.
The truth seems to be that he has
otn,r, tko+
control. even if he tried. And he has
not tried.
He continues to breathe defiance of
all constituted authority and the ire
sponsible, hot headed youths who have
followed his advice have made no secret
Of their desire to commemorate the
1916 Easter rebellion by repeating it.
Ibe rebellions are not directed
against the brutal Saxons," but are
against the responsible government Of
1rishmen which has been installed in
accordance with an agreement made
with the British government by repre-
sentatives Of the Irish people. Nothing.
indeed. would better please the Saxon
brutal or nOt-than to wash his
hands of Ireland if he could. But he
cannot do so, either with safety or
honor.
WO EXtGfHdI CduSeS
Apart from the strategic considera-
tons and responsibility for the rights
Of the peaceful people there are Two
external causes which have direct bear
ing upon the present abnormal excite
nent in Ireland and which must be
borne in mind by Great Britain. The
sirst is the undue emphasis which was
aid during the war upon the principle
CT RI M n yrpCt
he welter of guerrilla warfare up to
June last. with its repressions and re-
,risals for which the British govern
nent must bear. at all events, some of
he responsibility. These have pro-
luced mentality which undoubtedly
s contributing to the present trouble. |
Great Britain must be patient even
lnder perhaps greater provOcation, but |
when all is said in extenuation the fact |
emains that present conditions in Ire
and bring to mind some arresting re- !,
lections. Irishmen have been offered !
he opportunity to work out their own |
Iestiny as a free state in community !,
# free states. They have been left !
meanwhile to govern themselves as |
hey please and to keep order to insure /
free vote Of all Of the people. The
esponses have been anarchy and mur
ef ITelHHd Is Tragedy IL IS tne
espair of lovers of liberty
Republic Not Possible
Great hopes were raised few weeks
go when in response to an invitation
rdN London, Craig and Collins met
With the government and agreed to
scheme for the suppression of crime
4 Belfast. They were to set up com
littees Of the two sections of the peo-
lie to cooperate together for this pur-
ose, but there was little if any i'm
rovement
The situation which has developed in
reiand as whole is one which must
ngage the attention. Of the British
overnment Parliament now is in
,aster recess, but before separating.
Winston Churchill repeated an assur-
nee which already has been given,
that under no circumstances would
II Irish republic be tolerated" Much
S the British people would like to be
plieved altogether of Ireland and
Irish. they would at the,
ame time heartily support any steps
hich might be: taken to support the
rovisional government in getting free
nd independent expression of the mind
the Irish people on the treaty, which
still believe. would in that event be.
icepted. II