§ MR. MACALEESEI beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, can he state if the Belfast constabulary have made amenable to justice any of the persons who, under the excuse of celebrating the relief of Mafeking, caused damage to Roman Catholic buildings, and committed other breaches of the peace in the above-named city on Saturday last.
§ MR. M'CARTANI beg also to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that the demonstrations in favour of the relief of Mafeking on Friday last in the city of Belfast, Ireland, involved an attack upon the Mater Infirmatus Hospital, and also upon the residence of the Roman Catholic priests at St. Patrick's Presbytery, Donegal Street; and that offensive language was used towards two sisters of charity while engaged on their mission of charity to visit some of the poor citizens; and if he can state what 1122 damage was done to the property of Roman Catholics upon the occasion.
§ MR. G. W. BALFOURIn answer to this question and the subsequent question on the same subject in the name of the hon. Member for South Down, I am informed that the streets of Belfast were the scene of considerable enthusiasm and rejoicings when it became known on Saturday last that Mafeking had been relieved. Large crowds paraded the streets on the occasion, accompanied by several bands of music. It is much to be regretted that amongst the thousands who thus marched through the thoroughfares in a perfectly peaceful and orderly manner, there were a few individuals who broke windows in some buildings, the property of Protestants as well as of Roman Catholics. There were seventeen separate cases of malicious injury to property, and the total damage committed is estimated to amount to £42 19s. In ten of these cases, including the hospital and residences of the clergymen at St. Patricks Presbytery and the Passionist Fathers at Ardoyne, the property of Roman Catholics suffered to the extent of £21 16s., and the damage done in the remaining seven cases of Protestant property amounts to £21 3s. No arrests were made by the police on the occasion for stone-throwing, as, owing to the band-playing and density of the cheering crowds, the damage to property was not discovered until after the people had dispersed. Four persons were made amenable, however, for disorderly conduct on the occasion, and have been fined in the sum of 40s. each. The allegation that offensive language was used towards two Sisters of Charity is without foundation, and is apparently based on a local newspaper report, which is a grossly exaggerated account of what did occur.
§ MR. WILLIAM REDMONDMay I ask whether the Irish Government have any reason to believe that the riotous conduct is attributable to the statement of the First Lord?
§ * MR. SPEAKEROrder, order!
§ MR. WILLIAM REDMOND (continuing)Is the statement of the First Lord of the Treasury that allowance should be made, and that there was some limit to human endurance?
§ * MR. SPEAKERWhen I rise and call an hon. Member to order it is decidedly disorderly for him to persist in standing and continuing to speak.
§ MR. WILLIAM REDMONDWould I not be in order in asking whether in the case when similar matters occurred in England the First Lord did not make a certain statement, that allowance should be made?
§ * MR. SPEAKERIt is not in order, because it does not arise out of the question.
§ MR. WILLIAM REDMONDI think it does.
§ * MR. SPEAKERThe hon. Member is not treating the Chair with proper respect.
§ MR. WILLIAM REDMONDI have not the slightest intention of showing any disrespect to your ruling, but I have a strong feeling that it does arise out of the question.
MR. PATRICK O'BRIENWhy not send your recruiting officers to Belfast, and get these men to go out to South Africa to fight?
§ CAPTAIN DONELANWho made the calculation as to the damages?
§ MR. G. W. BALFOURThe estimates are those of the police.