*
PRIME MINISTER AND DEVOLUTION POLICY
TAF
HONGKONG. DAILY PRESS. FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 6TH, 1918
RESTORING ORDER.
time. I think in Wales there is a fairly Commons in the year 1888 point out that BRITISH WORK IN PALESTINE unanimous opinion, and Unionists are if Mr. Gladstone's Government had pro just as favourably disposed to the proposed a scheme of general devolution his
The Caira correspondent of the Times writes:- pusal, I think, as Liberals, and Liberals attitude would have been very different
It was a matter It is not long since the Egyptian Ex- are as strongly in favour of it as trom the one he took up,
of Parliamentary platitude before this peditionary Force crossed from Sinai into Unionists.
war to speak of the congestion of Parlia-Palestine, and already a marked improve- I am not so clear about the state of ment. I have heard the observation that ment is visible not only in the general] opinion in England: that is really what the House of Commons had had time economic situation, but also in the de matters. After all, here is a population to give any real attention to the foreign meanour of the people.. When we enteredi of 34,000,000 out of 45,000,000, and unless Policy of the Empire and to what was Paietine the country was in a terrible ditenity in answering the case put for. You have got a substantial majority of the history of the last four years might Turks had systematically laid hands og
the English representatives in favour off
"A STRONG FEDERALIST.'* ' THE IRISH PROBLEM. Replying to a large and representative) Heparation of members of both Houses,
him of Parliament which waited upon recently in favour of federalism for the Udited Kingdom, Lloyd George said:-1 feel rather
Mir
ward by the deputation, for the simple
OPINION IN ENGLAND.
going on in the world outside these islands
have been different. But looking to the
The
plight, economically and morally.
all stocks and had literally stripped the
reason that I cannot claim to be im-it, it is idle to attempt it. You cannot future, to the state of things after the pwople of all they possessed. In the towns I have always been a strong attempt.a big measure, which is highly war, what do we see? Let us take are they had pillaged all the closed, ahouses the speech delivered by Mr. Chamberlain war, because national unity is one of the whole of the Empire, or which under any ings which the mub dismantled of every
partial. federalist, and I recollect very distinctly
controverted" in the middle of a great of all only those questions which affect the and bad opened up the Government build-
weapons of victory. So you must there- system of government must be the affairs thing of any value. The crops had been in 1530, which was the first speech fore have unity upon that subject. I have of the whole of the United Kingdonized or commandeered mud next to no delivered after the introduction of the
Home Rule Bill. In that speech he said not altogether been quite satisfed, and, if there is the whole of our national finance, seed had been left to the cultivators, who
were already short of food. Where it there is our commercial and economie might have been possible to grow crops the system. there is our foreign policy, there fand could be but poorly prepared for is the government of India, there are out the winter sowings, for the simple reason relations with the self-governing Domin- that most of the able-bodied men had been tons of the Empire, there is the reet rounded up for military Arvice and the struction
the Turks and carried off all the available of the Army, there is strength of the Navy, and all those qursatile and horses,
In addition, all the books, records, etc., the Courts, such us tions of internal reconstruction which as
I may suggest to those who are in favour that in his judgment the only rational of this solution, that is what they have got solution, if I rrcollect his phrase, was to address themselves to. It is really a question for the English constituency, and sa federal lines. I do not pretend that
that they have got to make up their knew as much about politics then as I do minds about. If you will allow me to say now; but at any rate I felt that there was so, I am very struck with the repeat
tive and influential charmeter of the de a good deal of hope in that phrase, and putation. It is representative not merely
ate national business of Seatland or Ethey were, and the Administration had I wish it had been possible then or during in the fact that it represents the various have said, cannot be considered a set had been removed
parts of the Chion Kingdour-all except the intervening period which now envers la dunt ulse that is represents the hand or Wales or Ireland. If Parliament been disorganized by the withdrawal, of
now constituted was to try and generation to have arrived at a solution various phases of opinion. You have got with this stupendous task, we thin it all the senior offcials, faring, with the junior, who knew little of the work: of the problem on a basis which I think to carry the great majority of your could only end in national disaster. We exception of the Mufti. only the very
associates with you. My colleagues and I would have been satisfactory to Ireland. will consider very carefully what you have suggest that the Government, acting on public security was at its lowest ebb, which would have relieved the congestion said, but we want to le assured, before 18 own responsibility, and with the owing to the intal disbandment of the anything is attempted of this kind, that perience it has gained, and as a result of police and Sendarmerie force, and all of the Imperial Parliament, and which it will not create Parliamentary dificut. the inquiries it tas, mate, should propom the treasuries were empty.
a disorganized, starving region, with its between the subordinate Legislatures and would, have chabted the Imperial Partities which no Government could possibly to. Parliament the separation of powers
state of panic and misery, that we entered ment to attend to duties which have been
the Imperial Parliament, and also the population depleted and generally in a basis of finance as between the two bodies; in November-last. demonstrated by this war to bave oeemof
that when those proposals have been accepted by Parliament, then the Govern. overwhelming importance
ment should set up commissions to work principles to the other parts of the United on the details of the application of these
case of Ireland.
I took the tromble some time age to examine the character of the work done
face in the middle of a war, because naturally, our time, our thoughts, and our energies must be absorbed by the over. whelming task of conducting the wars And here you can undoubtedly assist.
There are other special dificulties, re- ferred to. There is the question of Ulster
It was into
POLICING THE COUNTRY.
by the Imperial Parliament during the t..is not clear to my mind what, the view Kingdom, ax has already been done in the commanded the respect of even the most
Whether
Mr. J. M. Robertson (Badical): With regard to the Irish question, it will be in your recollection that when long 489 many of us urged upon our leaders and on our Irish friends the need for a federal rationally soluble at all, we were always solution of a problem not otherwise
of the deputation is as to what part last thirty years. I cannot say that I
Ulster would play in agfederal solution. have done that since the war, it was sonte
agree with what has fallen from Lord" time before the war: but I was very much Selborne, that the Irish question is a struck with the fact that looking at the difficulty for this Governinent. index to Hansard one found that about this will help to solve it I would not like three-quarters of the attention of Parlia to predict Prophecy is never very safe ment was occupied with matters that in the realm of politics: and it is er affected only one part of the United Kingainly never very safe to indulge in pro- dlom. So during that period the members 'phecy when you come to talk about Tro. I met with a protest that this would, an of the other parts of the United Kingdom and because there have been so many effect, be a measure of evasion delaying had only in indirect interest in the pro
Ah,
the very life of this country, the
Very
life
which were being discussed in that casual, off-hand, indifferent, apathetic manner. That is what will happen so long as you have a Parliament where you have all kinds of things crowded upon it, great and all important and trivial. In perist and lecal.""""
basis
we are taking
YOIL
the
bas
treatment,
The establishment of law and order was a comparatively easy, matter, since the presence of military forces naturally truculent characters, but as our line ad- vanced and the force in the rear became more scattered the, necessity arose for the creation of sonie body which would police the country. Directly in the wake of the Army the military police carried the gendarmerie front the remannts left out this task. In Jerusalem we reformed
of that force, and froni Arab deserters from the Turkish Army and elsewhere we been succeeded in the Jaffa area by locally under a British officer the jerusalem Sum
Thew
The distress took the
pre-
blems that were under discussion. On the prophecies, and they have always ended the granting of Home Rule to Ireland introduced a military police, who have since in dispute. You have to ease the national Well, if those who used that argument to other hand. Lord Selborne has pointed out how casually very often the Imperial consciente un the subject. At the presents could possibly have foreseen the delay recruited police, whilst we re-established moment Unionists and Hope Rulers have was to last thirty years without any Parliament t
took its discussions on foreign an uneasy feeling that the best is not attempt at the federal solution I do not inary Court for the trial of minor cases.
think that objection would have been Affairs Now we realise how important being done for the country, and
been very few gases, in some districts those discussions were bus we know per- moment you propose a sensible, fair, and ade. I think with confidence we couli It is satisfactory to note that there have
say that you could count on 93 per cent
where disrespect of the fectly well that a discussion on foreign just solution of this kind-if it is a busi of support in the Liberal
Parts. The ore, affairs was very often regarded as a kindnesslike one, and one which gives equal work of the House of Commons has berigime has had to be severely dealt with, or where any situation causing anxiety of off-day in the life of Parliament.
What is coming on Thursday!
treatment to Ireland, England,deral come far too great for proper and Wales you can say on
on the
exesterea A foreign affairs." Then you Well, we are giving you exactly and I was in absolute conviction, after to the occupying power has come into made other arrangements as a rule. That
hat what is really the fact, and here we know that wed enough fourselves and what is 100ly twelve years in the ouse of Com The relief of distress was a much more
aught
to be good inons, that it is utterly impossible for any difficult matter.
member to give proper, attention to one enough for
You would then satisfy half of the business that comes there, and form of real want of food and clothing, of civilisation was dependent upon topics Deminions, who for the moment are That no member does, because no meather or fanbility to cultivate or give the
per attention to the land, and collect, not convinced that the old country can. treated Ireland quite fairly. They are Mr. Adamson (chairman, Parliament-warket, and dispose of the crops as they became available As regards the lack not convinced of it. Whether they are
ary Labour party): The period of recon- of food, the military had at the outset right in coming to that conclusion or not,
problems this is not time to argue. They are construction will give us some great
wheat, maiz, millet, and rice in large Later the vind se have been trusting it tactlessly to which we must turn our attention, pro to bear the full brunt, and to import and clumsily and in the whole they are blens which I think it is impossible to tie from Egypt. convinced that we have not extended to mix up with purely local affairs belonging Palestine and Syria Relief Fund and the Ireland the measure of freedom which is to the various countries that make up Jewish organization relieved the Army When you come to Ametica, this United Kingdom." The only observat part of the work, but the main diff there is no doubt at all that that is the tion which we make "as & Labour part city has still been the procuring of the feeling in America. I have received let is that in attempting to set up this federal food itself. In many cases the people, of common consent it is left to the Scottish
ters within even the last few days from form of government we are not to make especially the Jewish community, had the that the excuse for hanging up the settle- members, and rightly so, and anybody very prominent Americans,
they could purchase. who is daring enough to intruse, well, he thoroughly pro-English, who have a great ment of Home Rule for Ireland. I think money, but there were no stocks which Relief work has now been properly or is soon put 15 his proper place by Scottish admiration for this country, a great affecit is possible for the twe" sections of the members of both parties. I recollect the old days, when some of us were rathation for this country and a growing affce-British people to settle this long-delayedganized, relief camps have been establish- King question, and we do not think that ined, and the refugees and distressed perple tion for this country. interested that Parliamentary business unhappy in their hearts sont the fact attempting to set up a federal form of has been provided with suitable, work to enable them to earn their living instead cuse for delaying making should not progress too rapidly, when that the Irish question is not solved. government we should make that the ex- there was a Secttish bill before the House, What you want is to be able to propose &
them are occupied in such work as road The trans some of us were daring enough to express solution which will enable you to any attempt to settle the Irish question. The of being dependent on charity. Many of our views, not because we had any parti- We have dealt justly with that coun-system of devolution is one that appeals making and road ending. cular interest in Scottish business, bu
Unionists. I think it is solution of our port dificulty has been the great obstacle, because we did not want the business of try. Therefore, I am glad that without to Labour as well as to Liberals and Parliament to get m too rapidly. Men of distinction of party you are taking this national dificulties which all sections of but it is gradually being overcome, and
matter in hand, and are promoting a all parties from Scotland turned round solution of this problem which will ulti-our people are beginning to recognise the amount of distress due to lack of food] and said: "Who are those intruders, to match, give some satisfaction. Without be absolutely necessary, and I believe that and clothing is steadily decreasing.
it you, sir, and interfere with Scottish business f
prejudice to the claims of Ireland-a
**
OLD ORDER PASSING AWAY. Take what is happening to-day. I am told in the House of Commons "you have got a Scottish debate. Almost by a sort
من
And
her. due.
who are
serious
to
Fet, when the division was on, we were all solution which is in itself a-fair, a just. see your way tour Government could-
Expected to take part in it without the slightest knowledge of the topic, without the slightest knowledge of even the ele ments of the fundamentals of the topic, and it was not regarded as even intrusion That is really
a most unintelligent way of doing
and a business one.
THE CASE FOR DEVOLUTION.
with this matter at A very early date, you would bave a large measure of support.
Mr. Laurence Hardy (Unionist), as a private member; Mr. Murray MacDonald The Prime Minister whs accompanied (Radical), on behalf of the Scottish mem by Mr. G. N. Barnes, General Smuts rbers; and Sir Herbert Roberts (Radical), Austin Chamberinin, Mr. Valter "Long for the Welsh Parliamentary party, also I sympathise.thoroughly with what has Dr. Addison, Mr. H. A. L. Fisher, and keen said, by all the speakers here about Mr. Shortt. The deputation was intro spoke in support of the principle.
happen if this is the kind of duced by Earl Brassey, and the following what will machine which has to deal with the pro- are the principal points of the speeches
delivered:-
1+
AMERICA AND IRELAND.
in
ACT
These
AT ONCE
brave men are fighting Every your fight for Liberty. dollar you can spare is needed
once
to alleviate the sufferings of those who fall. Act at and buy War Bond Tickets. You may
be 1 winner but never a loser by the transaction. Consult your conscience.
".
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'THANSPORT', AURIEVEMENTS. In this connection a word of praise is due to the military transport stall, who have achieved wonders, not only in handl. ing the purely military traffic, but also in meeting the requirements of the civil population. In practically every village which we have entered we bave had im- mediately to start distributing supplies, in this respect to and the task falling must have
been the transport stupendous et in spite of the heavy The Archbishop of York expressed to the demands necessarily made by the army lens of reconstruction. Lord Selborne Lord Brassey (Radical): We are all Prime Minister the thanks of the deputa anid the old order had passed away, or
means of communication with Egypt, It least was passing away. It is passing agreed that without prejudice to any pro tion: I have just spent, as is, perhaps in the field, and of the fact that the opp he said, some time in the whence everything has had to be brought, away in the terrors and horrors of the posals which the Government may have to known, war, and there is no doubt it will be, I make with regard to Ireland, the time United States, and i have conversed, has been the Trans-Sinai Railway line: will not say a new set of problems which has come for creating subordinate Legisla- think, with most of the leaders of both with latterly an occasional steamer to will confront us, but it will be a new tures in England, Scotland and Wales, political parties in the United States, and afla, it has been found possible, without attitude of mind with which we shall deal, as well as in Ireland. We believe that the it is impossible to exaggerate the concern
The inability to cultivate or give the with those problems. And the urgency strain on the machinery of government which they feel in this master, I think in any way, disorganizing traffic, to bring letters of fame upon the walls. You will Parliament and in one Cabinet with problem coming to the best minds of land proper attention and to collect and of those problems has been written in caased by the attempt to deal in one there is a new understanding of the Irish up thousands of toas of commodities. be called-upon to deal in the course of a matters of general Imperial concern, with America through the closer, intercourse dispose of crops as they became available session or two with scores of questions matters of common intereet to the whole who, happily, this war has brought to us: was due to lack of cattle, seed, fuel, and From the early days of our oc. which are of the most overwhelming of the United Kingdon, and with separate but I have had it repeatedly said to me abou
the military authorities did what cupation in urgency, and which will require very, care-interests of ench part of the United King- by men whose words ought to count education of public opinion. ful examination in detail, because they dom, which is great now, will be for the
It would make a great differ they could to assist in the matter of animal labour, and military horses have affect the life, industry, commerce, and greater at the conclusion of the war, when America. trade of the people at every turn. Farlia large problems of reconstruction, will be ence to us if we could understand why be freely lent, to the districts more ment, the present machine, has got to deal pressing for attention. The Home Rule Ireland has not been offered at least what urgently requiring such labour
We we would regard as State rights, because assistance thus given bas somewhat re with that and at the same time deal with question cannot stand where it is. Joeri affairs in Scotland, Wales, and in must set ourselves right with public opin we entirely understand that anything in lieved some of the districts and helped Ireland, as well as in England, with its ion in the Dominions and the United the nature of Dominion rights would be to, tide over the most critical period. The Army has, however, but'a Therefore gigantic problems. I do not think there States on this matter. It may be im- inconsistent with the problems which the
limited supply of animals, and requires An could be any doubt at all in the mind possible to set up an Irish Parliament United Kingdom has to face." of any man who has given thought to the under present conditions. It is clearly it would be a very grave matter if a solu- all the transport it can obtain. problem that this ought to be dealt with, impossible to concede the demand for tion could be found which not only satis arrangement has, therefore, had to be had to be reckoned at their face valne, Dominion Home Rule without impairing fed so large a measure of public opinion made whereby cattle are being imported though their real value was but 20 per and dealt with as soon as possible.
Now let us get on to the difficulties. the security and integrity of the United at home, but also vindicated the position for bond-file cultivators from Egypt. In cent. It may be interesting to record the in the eyes of those who fuition, large quantities of whent and fact that the German officers with the You cannot carry anything through dur- Kingdom. This makes it all the more of this ang the war without something like gen-recessary to show that the British attitude are increasingly our friends and partners, barley seed have, been imported from Turkish Army, have been making little
Home Rule is not a non-pic1 am sure we all feel this Federal plan Egypt. Even with this assistance only fortunes out of the note issue. They re la the oldest and still immeasurably the
~Advertizing medium among eral assent. I do not mean to say you
the Native Community. have to convert everybody in Parliament, one, but that we are prepared to deal sught not to be regarded as a device by about 50 per cent of the ufles normally ceive their pay-in-gold-which-they-in-
which are itself, either for solving or for postponing
Established for over Furry YAKE. That is impossible. I do not mean to say with the question on
many parts, and in some cases, owing to they send to Berlin, where they are that even if there is a fairly substantial understood as right and just in the the Irish problem. But if along these cultivated within the occupied territory variably force the people to exchange for
China, Indo-China, etc. body of opinion which is opposed, that Dominions and the United States, and lines we can give to Ireland an offer which has been put under these winter crops in notes at the current value. These notes Deutsche Bank having on agreement with you ought to regard that as final; but I which I venture to believe will in due will justify this country in the eyes of the lack of animals, cultivation was complete credited to them at their face value, the Circulates largely throughout Souther
whole world, and might ultimately even
ly stopped.
the Turkish Government that all noten *NOTES FOR GOLD.
Terms for Advertising (Translation think there ought to be not merely the time be accepted by Irishmen as a reason- ordinary kind of majority of 70 or 100 for ablo satisfaction of their demand. reconcile some of its warring elements,
Thus the Turks are losing twice over on fres) can be obtained at the Office, 10 great change of this kind. You ought to The Earl of Selborne (Unionist); and at the same time conter a permanent feel, at any rate, it is a sort of two or Unionists have never believed in that boon upon the whole Empire by freeing Another reason for the distress which presented by it shall be repaid at par.
Agente three to one in the House of Commons in what is called the Irish question was Parliament from much that stands in the existed when we entered the country was lavour of effecting a change of this kind capable of solution in isolation; and I way of the impartial consideration of the fact that the Turks forced the Pales the transaction, and the German officers Des Voeux Road Central, Hongkong, 181
to exchange their gold for notes, which salaries. I have no doubt about the state of opinion would remind you that you heard the great problems, we shall have made a tinians to accept payment in notes and are making: 100 per cent. profit on their Fleet Street, London or from the differe in Scotland; I have known that for some late Mr. Chamberlain in the House of great advance.
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