Mr. O'CONNORasked the Chief Secretary whether the British Embassy at Washington have issued a communication in reference to the charitable organisations for the relief of distress in Ireland, to which, among others, President Harding has contributed, declaring that no case of distress could not be adequately met from British sources; and whether, in view of the refusal of the Government to give compensation to the 462W citizens, such as those of Cork, whose premises have been burned down admittedly by the forces of the Crown except by the payment through their own rates of their own losses, the British Minister at Washington will, in consequence, be instructed to withdraw or correct this statement?
§ Mr. HENRYThe following is the text of the statement issued by the British Ambassador at Washington:—
"Representatives of the Friends' Committee have had several interviews with the Commander-in-Chief and representatives of the Civil Government in Ireland and have been given to understand that provided any organisation set up is constituted on a non-political basis and deals in an impartial spirit with cases of hardship coming before it the Government will not place any unnecessary difficulties in the way as regards the last part of the telegram. I would point out that Ireland as a whole has never been more prosperous than at the present time, as banking and trade statistics clearly show. Every case of distress and disturbance is directly due to Sinn Fein rebellion save those cases of unemployment which are the result of the world-wide depression in trade, and this depression in trade is less severe in Ireland, being largely agricultural, than in England. Millions of pounds sterling are available for housing, land settlement, and other employment schemes in Ireland, but the rebellious counties and cities of Ireland refuse to accept the money. They prefer the self-made grievances for American consumption. If the rebellion ceased and the ordinary law became operative there is no case of any individual or his property that could not be adequately dealt with without the charity of anyone. There is no shortage of food in Ireland."
It is a statement of fact, and no question of withdrawal, or correction arises.