THE CHIEF SECRETARY FOR IRELAND.
"No arrests have been made."
The complications of the Peace Settlement continue to increase. Thus President Wilson has consented to delimit the boundaries of Armenia, although the United States shows no desire to undertake the mandate for its administration. No doubt it is with the kindly intention of helping those dilatory Americans to make up their minds that Turkey has asked for an extension of time before signing the Treaty.
The placid progress of the Government of Ireland Bill through Committee was broken this afternoon when Captain Colin Coote proposed to hand over the control of the armed forces of the Crown in Ireland to the new Parliaments. His argument was in brief that these bodies must be given serious responsibilities which would compel them to unite. He wanted, as he said, to "infuse blood into their veins" at whatever risk—Coote que coûte.
The idea of providing a probably Sinn Fein Parliament in Dublin with submarines and aeroplanes did not appeal to the First Lord of the Admiralty, who was hotly rebuked for his lack of imagination by Captain Elliot. The fact that two young Coalitionists should have advocated such revolutionary ideas inspired another of Sir Edward Carson's gloomy variations on the theme that any form of Home Rule must lead ultimately to separation.
Thursday, June 3rd.—Sir Hamar Greenwood, who took his seat on Tuesday, answered Irish questions for the first time. His manner was as direct and forceful as ever, but his matter, unhappily, consisted chiefly in the admission of unpleasant facts regarding recent attacks upon the police, with the invariable addition that "no arrests have been made."
The hon. baronet who sits for Nottingham is so much impressed with the necessity for economy that he ought to be known as Rees angustæ. But he has no luck. Mr. Fisher offered the "frozen face" to his complaints that the State is giving free education at the Ministries to ex-Service men; and Mr. Shortt was no more sympathetic to his plea that the new policewomen should be abolished.
Mr. Lloyd George, looking delightfully cool in a new grey suit, made a welcome reappearance after some weeks' absence. He gave a version of the Krassin negotiations—which, according to his account, had followed exactly the course marked out by the Supreme Council in Paris and San Remo—very different from that presented in a section of the Press, and he implied that the alleged perturbation of French public opinion only existed in the imagination of "certain newspapers which are trying to foment ill-feeling between two countries whose friendliness is essential to the welfare of the world." His most satisfactory pronouncement was that British prisoners must be released before trade with Russia would be resumed.
In spite of the absence of the regular Opposition the First Lord of the Admiralty is finding the Government of Ireland Bill a rather unhandy vessel to steer. He dares not concede too many powers to the new Parliaments lest he should be putting weapons into the hands of our Sinn Fein enemies; on the other hand, he cannot reduce them overmuch lest the Bill should cease to have any chance of conciliating Irish sentiment.
The dilemma arose acutely over the clause relating to the Irish police. When, if ever, should they be handed over to the new Government? The Bill said not later than three years after the appointed day. An amendment suggested "not earlier." Sir Edward Carson thought the only fair thing would be to allow the police to retire on full pay directly the Bill came into force, instead of leaving them with a divided allegiance and control. Eventually, on the Government undertaking to modify their proposals, the clause was passed; but with so many matters to be adjusted on Report it looks as if it will be a Long, Long way to Tipperary.
