CAPTAIN CRAIGI beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether his attention has been drawn to the statement of Mr. James Donnelly, of Armagh, on 19th March last, to the effect that the Ancient Order of Hibernians had the men and the guns and only wanted powder and shot to blow English rule out of Ireland, and if he has any information to show whether this body has imported any large quantity of arms for the purpose 993 indicated since the dropping of the Peace Preservation (Ireland) Act; and what steps, if any, he is taking in the matter.
§ MR. BIRRELLAccording to a local newspaper report Mr. Donnelly made a statement to the effect mentioned in the Question at a meeting on 18th March. The meeting was in commemoration of St. Patrick, and the somewhat intemperate language used by Mr. Donnelly may be accounted for by the festivities usually associated with the occasion. The police authorities have no information which would go to support the hon. Member's suggestion as to the importation of arms.
§ MR. J. MACVEAGHThe hon. Member has himself threatened to get up a bloody war in Ireland. Will the right hon. Gentleman search his house and see what arms he has there?