Lieut.-Colonel GUINNESS(by Private Notice) asked the Chief Secretary whether Lieut.-General Jeudwine, the G.O.C. 5th Division at the Curragh, has reprinted in his Divisional Orders with his own approving comment a newspaper article praising the Regular Army and criticising the so-called "Black-and-Tans" and police, and whether the right hon. Gentleman will take steps to avoid a repetition of such criticism by officers of the Army, in view of the importance of all forces of the Crown in Ireland working in co-operation and without jealousy to put down murder in Ireland?
§ Sir H. GREENWOODI have seen the statement referred to, and I am sure that General Jeudwine had no intention of casting any reflection upon the police forces in Ireland. The police and military are working in the closest co-operation, and the discipline of both forces, working as they are under conditions of great difficulty and extreme provocation, is splendid.
§ Sir S. HOAREDoes the right hon. Gentleman not think that this is another instance which shows that what is wanted in Ireland is unity of command?
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYIs the Chief Secretary not aware that the "Weekly Summary" mostly consists of newspaper extracts containing the most violent denunciations of his political opponents?
§ Sir H. GREENWOODNo, I am not aware of that. More than that, I am aware that it is not true.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYIs the right hon. Gentleman not aware that the "Weekly Summary" describes the right hon. Gentleman the Member for Paisley (Mr. Asquith) as being a member of the murder gang?
§ Sir H. GREENWOODNo, I am not aware of that.
§ Mr. SPEAKERThat is a long way from the question on the Paper.
§ Colonel ASHLEYWill the right hon. Gentleman issue instructions that the military authorities in Ireland are not to cast reflections on the Royal Irish Constabulary?
§ Lord H. CAVENDISH-BENTINCKDid not the Lord-Lieutenant himself cast reflections upon them?
§ Earl WINTERTONWill the right hon. Gentleman call for a copy of this article which has appeared in these Orders, and then he can say whether, in his judgment, it does or does not cast serious reflections upon his own troops?
§ Mr. MILLSIn order that Members may form an impartial opinion on this matter, can the right hon. Gentleman so arrange that every hon. Member of this House can have a copy of the "Weekly Summary," instead of only a few hon. Members receiving it?
Mr. O'CONNORI hope every, hon. Member will have an opportunity of seeing the article referred to. May I ask whether the article described as making an attack upon the Royal Irish Constabulary was not an attack on the Black-and-Tans? [HON. MEMBERS: "On both!"] I gather that it would be the Royal Irish Constabulary, which is a temporary force, which has been added. Was not the condemnation with regard to the Black-and-Tans, and is it not a fact that those remarks represented the opinion of a huge majority of decent soldiers in Ireland and in England, and do they not correspond with the statements made by the Viceroy as to the abominable crimes committed by this Force?
§ Sir H. GREENWOODI regret that I cannot answer all these supplementary questions, but I can say that the Viceroy made no statement about "abominable crimes" committed by the police in Ireland. He made certain statements about horrible crimes committed by certain members of the police force, and he referred particularly to the murder of Canon Magner, which everybody condemns.
§ Mr. DEVLINDid not the Viceroy mention Black-and-Tans in his speech?
§ Sir H. GREENWOODWith reference to the publication called the "Weekly Summary," a copy of it is laid in the Library every week. As for calling for a report from the General, I will ask him to let me see a copy of the Order. I am convinced that he never intended to make any reflections upon the police force in Ireland.
§ Lord H. CAVENDISH-BENTINCKIs it not proof that they are fed up with your dirty work?