Evening star., 1922-03-26
LAYSLL0YD GEORGE
CRISIS TO IRELAND
Barnes Declares Premier Will
Win Out Unless Situa-
tion Is Worse.
DUBLIN LOSING CONTROL
Erin Governments Must Assert Au-
thority if They Retain Brit.
ish Good Will.
DUBLIN LOSING CONTROL
by GEORGE N. BARNES,
British Parliament Leader,


BY Radio to The star.
LONDON, March 25.-The sudden
strength Of the conservative section
OF the government, emphasized by the
various suggestions that Lloyd George
might be forced out. Is due largely to
the happenings in Ireland. The re-
cent developments in that unfortunate
country have given occasion for re-
joictng on the part of her enemies.
Neither in north nor south Ireland
has there been established any ade-
quate protection of life. The rival
forces are glaring at each other
across intrenched fortified border
positions. Men of the Irish republican
army are indulging in raiding and
looting.
Dublin Losing Authority.
Worst of all are the indications that
the government established at Dublin
Irish republican forces. However,
still believe that the south Irish
voters will accept the treaty if they
are allowed to decide for themselves.
Even If this should be so the trouble
may only assume new phase.
There are two CLEANS of hope dis
cernible across the Irish channel. In
the south Arthur Griffith has forbid
den the republican army convention,
| which had been projected by the ele-
formed i1 1 Belfast seH newy sly
| James Craig. the premier, has called
| in Sir Henry Wilson, late chief of
| the British general staff, to restore
order in that volcanic city.
Welcome Signs Seen.
] These are welcome signs on the
part of the powers that be. OF
course. much depends upon the out
come of these movements. If the
/ Irish governments are to regain the
| good will of the British people then
| they must somehow assert their au-
thority and restrain the unruly forces
| inside Of their own borders.
1t Is only natural that the Irish
| situation should have forced the ex-
! isting state of unstable equilibrium
! within the political parties here re-
suiting in the decided tilt toward the
solldihcation of the conservative
parliamentary contingent. 1t must
Lloyd George left for his rest in
| Wales by the orders of his doctor.
| allegience to him publicly was de-
clared by the conservative chiefs,
while the main body Of the rank and
! hle were urged by them to follow
suit Instead the latter met with
the die hard" minority and separat-
ed without any definite commitment.
The coming weeks will, / believe, see
a very changed situation.
! Conservatives Must Choose.
| The conservatives will have to
| choose between the resignation of the
premier or complete return to their
! loyal support of his policies for recon-
structlon of Europe as well as Irish
pacification.
The Genoa conference opens April
j lo, and the premier is determined to
address the house of commons and
insist on vote of confidence before
| the region of prophecy 1 should say
that he will get what he demands
| The conference will be clearing of
| the European air. and, If all turns
out well there. the coalition will.
perhaps. receive new lease of life.
must be shortlived. for, even were
| Lloyd George to resign and a con-
| Servatlve ministry be formed, it
would be at the mercy Of those same
| irresponsible die hards.' who oppose
the Irish settlement, and who oppose
! every other principle or measure of
/ democratic administration that may
be submitted to them.
| If an election followed Immediately
on Lloyd Georges resignation the
| conservative majority would almost
! certainly be wiped out.
| However, the conservatives right
| now are assertive and successful in
| the government. The liberals are
i; being replaced by members of the
| party additionally opposed to LIBERAL
ism. The reason, as 1 already have
pointed out, is the developments in
Ireland. Restoration of apparent or
der there would soon change the sit
! uation.
| (Copvrirhf 1QooN