Irish Free State.

Part of Orders of the Day — King's Speech. – in the House of Commons at on 15 December 1921.

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Photo of Mr Rupert Gwynne Mr Rupert Gwynne , Eastbourne

Were the Members of the Cabinet laughing because they had surrendered to intimidation and murder? It has been contended on behalf of the Government that this is not a surrender. I think my hon. and gallant Friend who moved the Address said that no one could contend that it was a surrender. I believe the Prime Minister said that the Sinn Feiners do not look upon it as a surrender. I have before me an extract from a paper, "New Ireland," which, I understand, is a Sinn Fein publication. Under date 10th December of this year, that paper said: We predict that Imperialism has become a losing game. Ireland has taken the strongest Empire by the throat and has brought it to its knees. Ireland has proved that the soul of man has grown greater than Empire. And that fact will have a more enduring repercussion on mankind than had either the French Revolution or the Russian Revolution. Henceforward, no small nation will despair, no small people will accept slavery. We have shown the way and others will follow. Some of them are following. India and Egypt are following, and there will be a general awakening. There are many other specimens from so-called responsible Sinn Feiners which I might read to the House. I do not think it can be seriously contended that Sinn Fein does not claim that it has brought us to our knees, and it seems, alas, that there is some justification for the suggestion. I take exception also to the new methods of statesmanship adopted by the Government, this policy of haste. At one time it was procrastination. When the right hon. Member for Paisley (Mr. Asquith) was Prime Minister it was always "Wait and see." Now you are not allowed to wait or to see. You have to pass proposals without being allowed the time to read them. What an amazing sitting it must have been the other night when the final terms were agreed to! We were told that at 11 o'clock or midnight the negotiations were practically "off," but that by 3 a.m. the matter had been settled. Matters affecting this Empire, which under ordinary circumstances would have been submitted to a General Election, were decided by, I think, four Cabinet Ministers and four representatives of the murder gang.