Evening star., 1923-02-25
|RFl.AN0'0VERAWED.
BY REBEL ATTACKS.
Armed Minority Threatens
Whole Social System OF the
Emerald Isle.
ENGLAND Is ALARMED
Problem of Free State Bids Fair
to Rival That of
Ruhr.
by 4. &. GARDINER.
Britain's Greatest Liberal Editor.

LONDON. February 24-rreland
bids fair 10 rival the Ruhr az Il prob
lem for the Bonar Law government.
The situation there grows blacker
daily. \ small armed minority OF
?ebels are bringing the whole social
system OF the country to dissolution.
The Irish people. by an overwhel elm
ing majority. ratitied the treaty with
England and elected a parliament to
carry on the government. This body,
overawed by IL secret society OF des-
perate men, cannot function. and
there is Il growing sense of inse-
rurity for LIE and property while the
social fabric is diSintegratiHg.
saw Sfr Horace Plunkctt on his
return from America today, and found
him. like all responsible IriShmen
ueeply depressed by the outlook He
had no word OF bitterness regarding
the destruction of his ancient man
sion. but he was profoundly con-
.erned because Of the rapid degenera-
tion of the morale OF his country
Brigandage FIourishes.
Undoubtedly the ugIiest symptom
appearing is that the ruthlessreSS OF
the rebels has compelled ruthlessness
:
Of the conflict is assuming 4 disQuiet-
ing aspect OF ferocity. All agree that
Gen. CoSgrave is making q brave
fight against the desperadoes. but
confidence in ultimate victory is far
from assured.
a tragic feature is that mvrder and
arson have become the vested inter-
ests Of armed youths. Take away their
pistols and you take away their oc
cupatiou. Religion has lost It's power
fhanl nd IA MI Ii1h
the rebel movement started is be-
oming i disguise for mere brigand-
age.
Under the terror Of t,1.s reign OF
lawlessness even the resi- ectable ele-
,rent of the population l. losing its
nerve. A spirit of mere selfish in
difference is taking possession of
them. 'Sauve Qui Peut" is the only
motto of safety. Each for himself
and the devil take the hindmost. Your
ueighbor's house is burned down.
Don't help him or yours will be also.
Hence the spirit of mingled fear. dis
trust. hopelessness is injecting every
respectabl member OF the community
ana every one is wondering to what
catastrophe events are drifting
IN the international field Lloyd
George holds the center Of the stage
again. He is trying TO come back
ana and MS attack in parliament on the
French occupation of the Ruhr was a
bid for leadership OF the liberals
VIII he he able to make peace with
the liberals" The feeling against him
ts very bitter, but his political genius
IS so great and the liberals are so
lacking in intrepid leadership that
many prophets forecast his early re-
sumption of his former place within
the party.
Opposition TO French.
Very astutcly, he is seizing upon ;he
Ruhr situation as the opnortunity 10
get back into prominence and the
ilmeltght. Liberal and labor opinion
IS moving with increasing momentum
IN opposition to the French Ruhr
policy and in making himself the
channel for the most decisive express
SION of that feeling Lloyd George is
renderlng il difficult for his old
rrlenuS to resist his overtures for re-
conciliation
The significant fact Of the situation
IS that in taking a strong line of ap-
parent hostility to the eovcr7,nent
ne Is nor incurring the resentment OF
Sonar Law. |, suits the latte-'s policy
70 De attacked. as he is hostile to the
Polncare methods. but is anxious to
avoid any final break
=, ne powerful demonstration in mar
hament against the French nova
ments has strengthened the premier
win the French government. which
no" KNOWS the weight OF public optn
Ioh beIlnd Law and that he is being
pIesSed forWard toward more ener-
a,i.. [es!stance against any new war
WIN Germany. The events OF the
week nave greatly consolidated the
tnousht or the country on the Ruhr
auNehture and more definite action
cannot much longer be DELAYED.
(Copyright 1929