(c) crown copyright
Catalogue Reference:CAB/23/30
Image Reference:0010
C A B I N E T
(22)
32
COBOLUS10US of & M e e t i n g o f t h e C a b i n e t h e l d a t
1 0 , D o m i n g S t r e e t , S . W . , on F r i d a y , 2 n d J a n e ,
198,2, a t 1 1 a . r a .
R E S E 1
T-ir
The P r i m e M i n i s t e r
The E i g h t H o n . A . C h a m b e r l a i n ,
Lord Privy Seal
The E i g h t Hon. V i s c o u n t
Lord Chancellor
(in the
The R i g h t Hon. t h e E a r l o f
B a l f o u r , K . G . , O.M., L o r d
P r e s i d e n t of t h e C o u n c i l .
K.P..
Birhenhesd,
Chair)
. The E i g h t
of
Hon. S i r R o b e r t H o m e ,
Chancellor
t i i e Esre&equer.-
S h e R i g h t Hon. W . S . C h u r c h i l l ,
The E i g h t Hon. B . S h o r t t , K . O . . I I . P . t
S e c r e t a r y o f s t a t e f o r Home A f f a i r s M . P . , S e c r e t a r y o f s t a t e f o r
the Colonies.
The E i g h t Hon. V i s c o u n t P e e l , G . 3 . E
S e c r e t a r y of S t a t e f o r I n d i a .
The E i g h t Hon. s i r l . W o r t h i n g t o n Evans, B a r t . , M.P., S e c r e t a r y
of S t a t e f o r War.
The E i g h t H o n . L o r d L e e o f f a r e h a m ,
S.S.S.,
P l r s t L o r d of
the Admiralty.
The R i g h t H o n . S t a n l e y B a l d w i n ,
M . P . , P r e s i d e n t of the Board
of Trade.
The R i g h t Hon.' s i r A l f r e d Mond,
B a r t . * IS*£., M i n i s t e r o f H e a l t h .
The S i g h t Hon. H . A . L . P i s h e r , M . P . ,
P r e s i d e n t of t h e B o a r d o f
Education.
The R i g h t Hon. s i r A r t h u r G r i f f i t h Boseawen, M . P . , M i n i s t e r of
Agriculture & fisheries.
E h e R i g h t Hon. T . J . M a c n a m a r a ,
M. r . , M i n i s t e r o f L a b o u r .
The E i g h t Hon. S i r Hamar G r e e n w o o d ,
B a r t . , K.C., M.P., Chief S e c r e t a r y
for Ireland.
The R i g h t Hon. t h e E a r l o f
C r a w f o r d & B a i c a r r e s , K/T.,
F i r s t C o m m i s s i o n e r of W o r k s ,
The f o l l o w i n g w e r e a l s o
She R i g h t Hon. " V i s c o u n t P i t s A l a n o f
Derwent. G.C.V.O., D.S.O.,
Lord
L i e u t e n a n t of I r e l a n d ,
S i r Edward C r i g g ,
E.CV.O. ,
Sir M.P.A.Hankey,
G.C.B.
Mr, T. J o n e s ,
C.M.G.
present:L i e u t . - G e n e r a l the E a r l of
Cavan, K . P . , G.C.M.G. , K . C . B .
C h i e f of t h e I m p e r i a l G e n e r a l
Staff.
Mr. L i o n e l C u r t i s .
* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . S e c r e t a r y .
-Principal Assistant
Secretary
(1) With r e f e r e n c e to Cabinet
r e a d to the Cabinet the l e t t e r
S I ( 2 2 ) , THE PRIME MINISTER
h e h a d a d d r e s s e d t o Mr A r t h u r
G r i f f i t h dated June 1 , 1922, d e a l i n g w i t h the d r a f t
Irish
Constitution (Paper S.F.B.-62).
explained
THE PRIMS MINISTER
t h a t t h i s l e t t e r had been handed to the I r i s h
a t about 6 o * c l o c k on t h e p r e v i o u s
Ministers
x eguost
evening, with a
t h a t t h e y s h o u l d meet the B r i t i s h S i g n a t o r i e s
at
5
6-30.
f o r m e r c o m p l a i n e d t h a t t h i s g a v e them v e r y l i t t l e
The
time
in
which t o c o n s i d e r t h e document,
and i t had t h e n been
arranged
t h a t Mr C o l l i n s a n d Mr G r i f f i t h
should s e e the Prime
Minister
and t h a t t h e f o r m a l r e p l y o f t h e I r i s h M i n i s t e r s
handed i n t h i s
afternoon.
should be
I n t h e course of the. i n t e r v i e w
w i t h t h e P r i m e M i n i s t e r t h e I r i s h l e a d e r s h a d r a i s e d a number
of d i f f i c u l t i e s .
the attitude
the l e t t e r
Mr C o l l i n s
a l l e g e d t h a t we w e r e t a k i n g
o f S h y l o c k s and d e m a n d i n g t h e f u l f i l m e n t
of the bond.
of
He (THE PRIME MINISTER) h a d
o u t t h a t we h a d s h o w n o u r b o n a f i d e s
up
pointed
by w i t h d r a w i n g o u r t r o o p s
and h a n d i n g o v e r t h e r e v e n u e s o f I r e l a n d t o t h e P r o v i s i o n a l
Government.
When a s k e d w e r e t h e y p r e p a r e d t o b e
in the'Empire,
State,
or were they s t i l l
included
contemplating an
Independent
t h e y h a d r e p l i e d q u i t e d i s t i n c t l y —- b o t h Mr
a n d Mr C o l l i n s — t h a t
Griffith,
they s t o o d by t h e T r e a t y and were
w i t h i n t h e Empire, an a d m i s s i o n which didaiot a g r e e w i t h
draft
Constitution.
the strong feeling
Mr C o l l i n s h a d l a i d g r e a t s t r e s s
prevailing in Ireland against
appeals to the J u d i c i a l
view of the fact
publicly
no d o u b t t h a t
position,
allowing
Committee of t h e P r i v y C o u n c i l ,
in
t h a t t h r e e o f t h e J u d g e s w e r e men who h a d
Pree
Lord C a r s o n , Lord Sumner and Lord G a v e . T h e r e was
t h e conduct- of t h e s e J u d g e s had p l a c e d
M a j e s t y s Government i n a v e r y awkward and
f
their
on
taken up a v e r y h o s t i l e a t t i t u d e to t h e I r i s h
State, viz.,
,
His
indefensible
a n d l i e (THE PRIME MINISTER) h a d a n s w e r e d b y
t h a t where a J u d g e h a d taken pe,rt i n a c o n t r o v e r s y
stating
he would
stand a s i d e should questions
eome b e f o r e
the Court.
in political
affecting
such
The p a r t i c i p a t i o n
controversy
of t h e s e
q u e s t i o n s was a g r e a t m i s f o r t u n e ,
e f f e c t would extend beyond I r e l a n d .
Judges
and
Mr C o l l i n s
its
had
r e p e a t e d l y r a i s e d t h e q u e s t i o n of t h e U l s t e r s i t u a t i o n
of our r e s p o n s i b i l i t y
for i t ,
were a t any r a t e i n p a r t
and p r e s s e d
paying the cost
f o r an i m p a r t i a l
MINISTER) h a d r e p l i e d
i n v i e w of t h e f a c t
Enquiry.
of the
that
He (THE PR1MB
K i n g d o m a n d t h a t we h a d a g r e e d t o t h e e m p l o y m e n t
able.
At t h e
of
for troops which were not
m o s t solemn, t e r m s t o t h e I r i s h l e a d e r s ,
leaders
United
avail­
c l o s e of t h e i n t e r v i e w he had spoken i n
i m p r e s s upon them t h a t
the
and had s t r i v e n
t h e y now h a d t h e b e s t
ever had of s e c u r i n g r e a l
we
"Specials",
t h a t U l s t e r was a p a r t of t h e
Specials as substitutes
and
liberty
chance
for
to
any
their
i
country,
i n a s s o c i a t i o n w i t h a p a r t n e r s h i p of f r e e
w h i c h was f i l l i n g
a g r e a t p l a c e i n the world .
t h e i r i m p a t i e n c e or f o l l y
they
t h r e w away an
If,
such as G r a t t a n or C C o n n e l l ,
would be e x e c r a t e d f o r g e n e r a t i o n s
countrymen".
out that i f
through
opportunity
which had n e v e r been g i v e n t o any o f t h e g r e a t
of the p a s t ,
nations
Irishmen
their
names
t o come b y t h e i r
I r e l a n d would never f o r g i v e them.
own
He p o i n t e d
t h e y f a i l e d t o s t a n d by t h e s i g n a t u r e s
they
had appended to the T r e a t y t h e y would be d i s h o n o u r e d ,
such conduct would be a d e p a r t u r e
for
from t h e h i g h
and
reputation
good f a i t h w h i c h I r i s h l e a d e r s h a d e n j o y e d i n t h e
They had r e c e i v e d t h e s e o b s e r v a t i o n s
without appearing to resent
In reply
in silence,
past.
but
them.
to a question whether the I r i s h l e a d e r s
realised
t h a t t h e t i m e h a d come f o r t h e m t o c h o o s e b e t w e e n De V a l e r a
and t h e t r e a t y ,
THE PRIME MINISTER s a i d t h a t h e d i d
think they quite r e a l i s e d the i s s u e .
d i d , b u t Mr C o l l i n s
P e r h a p s Mr
Griffith
a p p e a r e d t o t h i n k t h a t he c o u l d
the others along with him.
He h a d r e a d t o t h e
not
carry
Irishmen
repeatedly,
i n t h e c o u r s e of the i n t e r v i e w ,
clause of the Treaty,
the
second
a n d had i m p r e s s e d u p o n them t h a t
p o s i t i o n o f I r e l a n d i n r e g a r d t o t h e Crown must h e
w i t h t h a t of Canada.
that
the reply
THE PRIME MINISTER f u r t h e r
difficulties
Council,
identical
explained
from t h e I r i s h M i n i s t e r s w a s e x p e c t e d
5 or 6 o*clock today,
and t h a t
the
they would probably
about
make
i n r e g a r d t o the Oath, t h e a p p e a l to t h e
Privy
a n d t h e p o s i t i o n o f t h e R e p u b l i c a n Members o f
forthcoming
Coalition
the
Government.
THE SECRETARY OP STATE FOR THE COLONIES s a i d we c o u l d n o t
possibly
g i v e way on t h e q u e s t i o n of r e q u i r i n g
t l o n from a l l
With regard
the M i n i s t e r s
of t h e C o a l i t i o n
the
declara­
Government.
to the E l e c t i o n i t s e l f , i t would be b e t t e r
the
of t h e e l e c t e d p a r l i a m e n t ,
w a i t u n t i l we knew Sgft c o m p o s i t i o n ^ a n d t h e m e t h o d o f
e l e c t i o n , before denouncing I t .
The m o r e t h e f e a r
to
its
of
renewed w a r f a r e was p r e s e n t to t h e minds o f t h e
electors,
t h e m o r e l i k e l y w e r e t h e y t o go t o t h e p o l l s a n d
support
the
Treaty.
THE LORD PRESIDENT OF THE COUNCIL s t a t e d
mind,the Parliament
be a r e a l
t h a t he d i d not
being a very imperfect-one,
tragedy i f
but i t
i n d a y s t o come I r i s h m e n a s s e r t e d
t h e C o n s t i t u t i o n of t h e i r country had been adopted by
P a r l i a m e n t w h i c h d i d not. t r u l y
"W
might be n e c e s s a r y to t e l l
the
l e a d e r s t h a t we c o u l d n o t c o n s i d e r t h e E l e c t i o n a s a
basis
for further
l e g i s l a t i o n by t h e I m p e r i a l
and t h a t we p r o p o s e d ,
until
their
suffrage.
therefore,
next P a r l i a m e n t ,
that
a
represent Ireland ,
SECRETARY OP STATE PGR THE COLONIES s a i d t h a t
t h e June E l e c t i o n i t
would
to postpone
Irish
sound
Parliament,
ratification
w h i c h w o u l d b e b a s e d on
That would a u t o m a t i c a l l y i n v o l v e a
after
adult
postponement
o f t h e d a t e from w h i c h t h e " U l s t e r m o n t h " w o u l d r u n .
THE LORD PRESIDENT OP THE COUNCIL p o i n t e d o u t t h a t t h e
o b j e c t i o n to t h e course suggested by the S e c r e t a r y of S t a t e
f o r t h e C o l o n i e s w a s t h a t w e s h o u l d b e b l a m e d f o r f a i l i n g to
g i v e n o t i c e i n advance of t h i s postponement of r a t i f i c a t i o n ,
h a v i n g known a l l t h e t i m e t h a t t h e J u n e E l e c t i o n w a s n o t a
bona fide, expression of I r i s h p u b l i c o p i n i o n .
THR mim
HXffXSHR o b s e r v e d t h a t i t , w o u M
hardly be possible for the Irish people to
turn
r o u n d a n d b l a m e u s f o r t h e i r otm a o t f a r d i o e
at
t h e p o l l i n g booths
as if
flic s i t u a t i o n w*a n o t t h e same
we h a d B r i t i s h s o l d i e r s
were e x e r c i s i n g
in the country
and
any presattre f o r or a g a i n s t
the
expression of opinion.
. According to the
paet*
a n y and e v e r y n a t i o n a l
i n t e r e s t i s free to
mm
i t s own c a n d i d a t e s *
?4R * CHAMBER X*AXH a s k e d w h e t w o u l d b e t h e
of Ireland during the period of waiting for
s e c o n d P a r l i a m e n t and r a t i f i c a t i o n .
would
consent t o such postponement of t h e i s s u e s
s t a k e u n l e s s t h e r e was i n the meantime
OF
t h a t ho d i d n o t d i f f e r
at
very
s e n s i b l e improvement i n t h e s i t u a t i o n and
SHE
the
He A i d n o t
believe that Parliament or the country
protection afforded to the
state
adequate
minority.
FOR
from t h a t
ViK GGISffltEB
said
view.
THE LORD PRIVT S33A&, e o n t i m i i n s , a n i d t h a t
s i t u a t i o n i n the South d i f f e r e d
from t h a t i n
f o r t h i n so much a s t h e R e p u b l i c a n a h a d
the
the
refuaed
o u r o f f e r a n d t h a t t h e o n l y p e o p l e -whom t h e J ? r o ­
visional
So^rerniient c o n s u l t e d and t r i e d t o
were the Republiaans.
l o o t i n g went on.
conciliate
In t h e meantime murder
This could n o t c o n t i n u e and
ought not to oontlnue*
it
We h a d d o n e a l l we c o u l d
t o implement our s i d e of t h e b a r g a i n .
Xt w e e
t h e I r i s h l e a d e r s d i d t h e i r s h a r e a n d g a v e nn
g
that v e r y soon, a Constitution in conformity
the
and
time
and
with
Treaty*
/ T O BRIMS h x n x s t h r
THE mm?,
MINISTER observed that having
t*eg&rd to all the facts there wae l i t t l e
difference
between the efforta put forward to deal with
outrage between the *3oventente of the north and
the Souths
In reply to a question ae to the publication
of the Irish Constitution the Prime Minister said
that the Irish Ministers probably realised that
the publication
a break with 9 t . *
Its original f o m would Involve
They sight therefore endeavour
to escape from their proviso to Do Vhlera to
publish.
m*omnomu
f
\tom&%
the qneatlon of the
publication of the Constitution ought to be pressed
forward now end that we should reelst a fresh
pact with De valera to postpone the publication
and dissuasion of the Constitution until after
the Elections *
The people of this country would
see through such an arrangement.
He had told.*b%
Collins In advance of his statecraft to the Houae
of commons what he proposed to tell the llaanm
in
regard to the Constitution end M^*CollinR hf$
agreed*to the line proposed^
In any case whether
they published the Constitution or not in Ireland
the Important matter wee that we should agree the
Constitution with tbesu
THE LORD FfUVY SEAL stated that he concurred
in the views of the Secretary of State for
Colonies,
the
The draft Irish Constitution was a
direct challenge to us*
^e had described It as a
negation of the Treaty and we could not behave
/as if we
I t?0 $
A
m
if
we
not asara of i t s
ej&stenne*
fla m i a t
see t h a t t h e y ^*ie3$ly prednee a c o n s t i t u t i o n I n eon­
formlty with the Treaty *
I t w a s Imowii t h a t a t
this
v e r y moment t h e y w e r e p l a c i n g $ r ^ a ^ s f o r arras end
i m m t t i e s t s i n t h i s e o n n t r y * i** Belglwis and i n t h e U n i t e d
states*
Was i t r i g h t t e i g n o r e t h i s p e r i l and a l l o w
these preparations
C o n s t i t u t i o n m9
it
t o he?
i n d e f i n i t e l y when we Jaiow that,
vastly different
their
w h a t wo i n t e n d e d
I n h i s wlew t h e i s s u e o u g h t t o h e b r o u g h t
to
a heaeU
THE mim
nmiSftM
suggested that
tha dismission
was t r a v e r s i n g gjpouad w h i c h h a d h e e n s e w e r e d a t
the
C a b i n e t on t h e p r e v i o u s d a y ­
%W LORD PHOT SEAL l a i d s t r e s s on t h e
of
importance
the q u - s t i o n s put to the I r i s h l e a d e r s being
clearly
answered sod t h e i r answars p u b l i s h e d .
.
THE PRIME MXHXSTKR s a l A - t h a t h e waa a l l f o r
on-with tha r e v i s i o n of the C o n s t i t u t i o n but i t
t a k e a c o n s i d e r a b l e t l s t a s n d he d o u b t e d i f i t
got through before t h e U l a a t i a n .
I t hadt
going
would
oould ba
ha
teai5
i n a i n d t h a t t h a doeucment a d d r e s s e d t o t h e I r i s h
leaders
an t h e p r e v i o u s day a l t a r a d t h a whole slfcuatian*
In the
event of unsatisfactory
On t h a o t h e r h a n d i f
a n s w e r s t h e r e w o u l d ba a b r e a k .
t h e a n s w e r s ware s a t i s f a c t o r y
isonl&he a b r e a k w i t h Da v*ie?ft*
He t h o n g h t t h e
there
answers
o u g h t t o h e p u b l i s h e d end t h a t i f s a t i s f a c t o r y t h e L o r d
C h i e f J u s t l a e s h o u l d h a i n v i t e d t o a s s i s t i n t h e amsnd­
ment o f
the Constitution.
m
thought t h e r e
mmhl
/ha
be an agreed eemraunique so that the Xrish people
t$&0i% know the position before the Election.
Xt
would, he very difficult to put the whole Constitution
before the electorate whereas the questions which
we had put were clear a n d comprehensible.
THE LORD Ql^MIQRLX^R Stated that such a plat­
form for the Election would be a most unfortunate
one for the supporters of the Treaty in Ireland
because It would stress the special points in which
we were interested-and these only.
Several Ministers agreed in the view of the
Lord Chancellor*
THE mmzym
mi
rmnxsxcm
thought that if
they accepted our points and were prepared to re­
draft their Constitution in the light of them, that
should suffice for the present,
THE $l*?8$9?AEt OF STAfE FOR THE COLONIES reminded
the Cabinet that if their answers were satisfactory
they would be massing no new concession but simply
re-asserting their concurrenoe in the Treaty.
He
thought that in four or five days the Constitution
might be revised.
A number of amendments had already
been prepared*
t h e cmmmm
or t h e k x g f d b w h r said that the
answer to the questions this afternoon ought to show
whether they were going to agree with P e yalera or
going to fight him.
TRB LORD CHANCELLOR, in reply to criticism,
/thought
thought tho 7.1*1 oh leaders had known long ago
that they w o n M h a w to hro&k with $ 0 y a l e m and
pointed out that the slow but inevitable course
of events was at last forcing the i^sne*
He
did not think we could decide at tho moment the
question of publication^
TEH £ECBETARY OF S!??ATH FOR TTJB fiOLOMIES said
that It might be necessary to come to some O O H ­
projyjise on the question of the appeal, to tho Prtfcry
Council*
His Majesty^ ftevemnnnt night conceivably
make a public declaration that certain JndgOS had
disqualified themselves by political action from
hearing Irish appeals*
The Irish Free state was
entitled to itnow that the throe Lords referred to
would have nothing to do with appeals fnom Ireland *i
It ?re.iS a question whether the Tribunal ought not
to be purgeeU
THE CH/U10ELE0R OF THE EXC5&5*nSR urged the
importance of forcing tho Irish Ministers with
tho straight issue on tho Constitutions
THE
$mm mmmffift wm
ctssvaup thought
that we ought to prepare our own draft asnendrcenta
and Insist on their embodiment In the Irish Oon­
atiiutlom
THE mm
said he had glanced at
the amendments which had been proposed from cits?
side and thought that these oould bo modified
and that a much more moderate instrument would
suffice for our purpose.
/THE SECRETARY OF STATES FOE THE
COLOHIES.
The Secretary of State for the Colonies said that subject
to securing our essential conditions, it was desirable that
the Constitution should be drafted in language which would
command the widest assent in Ireland.
The Minister for Education reminded the Cabinet that the
British Constitution had a 13th century exterior or facade
with an interior domestic arrangement of a very modern
character.
The Irish were interested in the latter and not
at all in the faqade.
The Secretary of State for the Colonies remarked that they
had agreed to come behind the facade.
The Prime Minister said that it had to be remembered
that the "Crown" had too often in Ireland represented
repression - the Crown -Forces, the Crown Solicitor, the Crown
Prosecutor, and so forth.
ijriew
Lord Balfour stated that in accordance with the desire of
Sir
Craig. the Cabinet he had that morning had a conversation with Sir
James Craig and Lord Londonderry.
difficulty as follows.
They had put their
The whole of the rebellion organisation
of the South which had been engaged in resisting the British
forces, having nothing further to do in the South had immigrated
to the Berth, where they were concentrating all their machinery
and were making the utmost trouble.
The Northern Government
had to cope with this increased force.
They had to protect a
frontier extending 300 miles and. they had not enough soldiers
for the purpose.
They were, therefore, compelled to use the
best members of their special force.
The less excellent parts of the Special force were being
used for dealing with the chronic and at the present time
- acute disturbances in Belfast.
Insofar as soldiers could
be provided for guarding of the frontier, it would be by
so much the easier for the Northern Parliament to divert
the best of their Specials to Belfast.
In the view of the
Northern Government the present disturbances were being
deliberately aimed at destroying Ulster —
2fc3ra4 they were
a part of a great conspiracy for exacerbating the secular
feeling between the Roman Catholics and Protestants, and
these disturbances were being used as propaganda with
extraordinary
/ skill. After giving examples, LORD BALPOUR proceeded to
say that additional difficulty had been experienced by the
Northern Government owing to the unfortunate moment chosen
for the disbandment of the R.I.G., who wore now utterly
demoralised, and. consequently one of the best Police Forces
in the world was only partially available.
He had pointed
ii
out to Sir James Craig the extraordinarily difficult situs­
tion which would arise if the Treaty broke down, and he
emphasized the importance. of the view set forth by the
Prime Minister to the Cabinet on the previous day, that in
the event of a break-down we' should have behind us a- united
country at home,supported by the public opinion of the
Dominions and of the United States of America.' This would
not be easy if the South had any ground for contending
that the Belfast outrages were part of a movement to per­
seeute Roman Catholics.
Sir James Craig had called his
attention to the fact that the Southern Government had
voted £100,000 for propaganda, by means of which they were
spreading lies all over the world in a very dexterous
fashion.
The Northern Government could not afford to
undertake similar propaganda.
He himself had pointed out
that this was very dangerous, and the only way he could see
The l e s s
excellent
p a r t s of the S p e c i a l
f o r c e w e r e losing
u s e d f o r d e a l i n g w i t h t h e c h r o n i c and a t t h e p r e s e n t
- acute disturbances
be p r o v i d e d
in Belfast.
the best
Insofar as s o l d i e r s
for guarding of the
so much t h e e a s i e r f o r
frontier,
to B e l f a s t .
N o r t h e r n Government t h e p r e s e n t
deliberately
a part
it
Ulster -
b e t w e e n t h e Roman C a t h o l i c s
divert
In the view of
the
being
sfctmt t h e y
of a g r e a t c o n s p i r a c y f o r e x a c e r b a t i n g
feeling
to
disturbances were
aimed a t d e s t r o y i n g
could
would be by
the Northern Parliament
of t h e i r S p e c i a l s
time
the
were
secular
and P r o t e s t a n t s ,
and
3355$ . t h e s e d i s t u r b a n c e s w e r e b e i n g u s e d a s p r o p a g a n d a
extraordinary
/
skill.
say
that
After
giving
additional
e x a m p l e s , LORD BALFOUR p r o c e e d e d
difficulty
N o r t h e r n Government owing
for the dlsbandment
demoralised,
t o t h e u n f o r t u n a t e moment
of the R . I . G . ,
and. c o n s e q u e n t l y
if
chosen
one o f t h e b e s t P o l i c e
available.
He h a d
the view set
Forces
pointed
difficult
the T r e a t y broke
emphasized the importance.of
the
who w e r e now u t t e r l y
to S i r James C r a i g t h e e x t r a o r d i n a r i l y
t i o n which would a r i s e
to
had been e x p e r i e n c e d by
i n t h e w o r l d was o n l y p a r t i a l l y
out
with
situa­
down, and h e
f o r t h by
Prime M i n i s t e r to t h e C a b i n e t on t h e p r e v i o u s
day,
the
that
in
t h e e v e n t o f a b r e a k - d o w n we' s h o u l d h a v e b e h i n d u s a u n i t e d
country a t home,supported by t h e p u b l i c
Dominions and of t h e U n i t e d S t a t e s
not be e a s y i f
that
of A m e r i c a .
t h e S o u t h had a n y ground
the Belfast
outrages were part
s e e u t e Roman C a t h o l i c s .
a t t e n t i o n to the f a c t
o p i n i o n of
for
This
would
contending
of a movement t o
S i r James C r a i g had c a l l e d
that
the
t h e S o u t h e r n Government
per­
his
had
v o t e d £100,000 f o r p r o p a g a n d a , b y m e a n s of w h i c h t h e y
spreading l i e s
fashion.
all
over the world i n a very
that
dexterous
The N o r t h e r n G o v e r n m e n t c o u l d n o t a f f o r d
tmdertake s i m i l a r propaganda.
t h i s was v e r y d a n g e r o u s ,
were
to
He h i m s e l f h a d p o i n t e d
out
a n d t h e o n l y way h e c o u l d see
to meet it was by a British Enquiry into the facts of the
recent events in Ulster.
To this Sir James Oraig had
stated he had no objection, provided it was initiated from
had
Ulster.
LORD BALFOUR/then summed up by stating that he
"understood Sir James Oraig would have no objection to an
Enquiry provided it was the Ulster Government which ap­
preached the British Government and said that in view of
the false reports in regard to what had happened there
they would, be glad if an impartial body could be sent over
to investigate and report.
LORD BALFOUR continued that
Sir James Craig had admitted that the British Government
had given them a considerable amount of help, but had sug­
gested that Ulster was treated by the Chancellor of the
Exchequer rather as he treated another Department of the
British Government, whereas their attitude was that this
Parliament bad been forced on them, though they did not
they
want it,, by the British Government, and consequently/ought
to be treated generously.
Another point which Sir James
Graig had made was that it had been very unfortunate that
the Irish'Regiments had been disbanded at the very moment
when trouble was brewing between the North and South.
He
had said that what South Ireland required was non-eeiamisSaned
officers, and these were available from the disbanded Regi­
ments.
THE LORD PRIVY SEAL said that he had made a note to raise
this point.
THE SECRETARY OP STATE FOR THE COLONIES said that this
question had been gone into at his meetings on the previous
afternoon, and it had been found that the action taken was
unavoidable.
The best plan was to try and. absorb the
non-commissioned officers and men disbanded into other
Regiments.
Many of them, he understood, were willing to
adopt this course.
At the present moment a good many of the
d i s b a n d e d men w e r e on l e a v e i n
Ireland,
THE LORD PRESIDENT OF THE COUNCIL s a i d h e h a d a s k e d
Sir
James Graig i f he expected t o reduce U l s t e r to order,
he had r e p l i e d
t h a t i t was a troublesome m a t t e r , but
that
i n t i m e h e h a d no d o u b t o r d e r w o u l d b e r e s t o r e d . I n
t o t h e M i n i s t e r of E d u c a t i o n ,
reply
LORD BALPOUR s a i d t h a t
h a d c o n s u l t e d S i r Jareas O r a i g a b o u t t h e a p p l i c a t i o n
martial
ed,
law i n U l s t e r .
on t h e g r o u n d t h a t
impose m a r t i a l law,
British
and
he
of
S i r James C r a i g had s t r o n g l y
object­
a s a G o v e r n m e n t t h e y h a d no r i g h t
and I t w o u l d i n v o l v e a c t i o n b y
to
the
Parliament.
THE LORD PRIVY SEAL s a i d , h e t h o u g h t
the f e e l i n g
of
the
U l s t e r G o v e r n m e n t w a s t h a t it- w o u l d b e t a n t a m o u n t t o
d e c l a r a t i o n o f b a n k r u p t c y i n t h e power of t h e i r
a
Government,
THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE COLONIES s u g g e s t e d
the s i t u a t i o n was analogous to the. C e n t r a l
declaring martial
i n some g r e a t
that
Government
l a w i n t h e e v e n t o f a Communist
rising
city.
THE LORD CHANCELLOR s a i d t h e r e w a s no a n a l o g y i n
THE PRIME MINISTER r e c a l l e d
w h e r e a Oonanunist r i s i n g
o f which t h e t r o o p s not
Government h a d had t o b e
the precedent of
Winnipeg,
h a d o c c u r r e d and f o r t h e
of t h e S t a t e h u t o f t h e
law.
suppression
Central
employed..
THE LORD PRESIDENT OF THE COUNCIL r e c a l l e d t h e
precedent
of t h e U n i t e d S t a t e s of America, where the i n d i v i d u a l
always resented action by the Federal troops unless
were p l a c e d u n d e r t h e o r d e r s o f t h e
States
they
State.
THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE COLONIES t h o u g h t t h a t
i t w a s deemed n e c e s s a r y t h e r e w o u l d b e no g r e a t
difficulty
i n i n d u c i n g t h e U l s t e r Government t o c o n s e n t t o t h e
t i o n of m a r t i a l
law i n B e l f a s t .
if
applica­
i
THE LORD PRESIDENT OP THE COUNCIL e x p r e s s e d d o u b t s
w h e t h e r t h e B r i t i s h Government c o u l d m a i n t a i n o r d e r
as
any
to
better than the Ulster Government even If they did declare
martial law.
THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR WAR stated that that was the
general military view.
THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE COLONIES pointed out that
the troops were l e s 3 hated than the Constabulary.
By taking
over the protection of the frontier and adopting the mili­
tary dispositions which had been prepared for that emergency,
a number of good Special Constables now employed on the
frontier would "be released for the preservation of order
in Belfast,
THE LORD PRESIDENT OF THE COUNCIL said the point i7hich
had most impressed him in regard to Sir James Graig's diffi­
cnlties was that the best of the Constables had to be em­
ployed on the frontier.
THE FIRS' COMMISSIONER OP WORKS asked whether Sir James
11
Craig would apply for an Enquiry?
THE LORD PRESIDENT OF THE COUNCIL said he had no doubt
he could be induced to do so.
At this point there was some discussion as to the most
suit-able individuals to conduct an Enquiry into recent
events in Ireland, and as to the Reference for such an
Enquiry, which, it was generally agreed, would have to be
very carefully drawn.
THE LORD PRESIDENT OF THE COUNCIL thought it w a 3 most
important that the Reference should be wide enough to
cover the oxitrages in the South of Ireland.
THE LORD CHANCELLOR said he did not wish to put any
obstacle in the way of an Enquiry, but he expressed eonstd­
erable doubts as to its utility.
Events moved so fast in
Ireland- that before the Enquiry had proceeded far the
events would be replaced in the public mind by later happen­
ings.
THE PRIME MINISTER s u g g e s t e d
that
the mere f a c t
p r e s e n c e o f such a Commission m i g h t p e r h a p s
of
check
the
further
disturbances .
THE MINISTER OP EDUCATION d o u b t e d i f much w a s t o b e
e x p e c t e d from t h e l a b o u r s of s u c h a Commission, b u t a t
r a t e i t w o u l d show t h a t
ly
t h e B r i t i s h Government was
any
absolute
impartial.
THE LORD PRESIDENT 0)? THE COUNCIL s u g g e s t e d t h a t
no d o u b t J u d g e s w o u l d do t h e w o r k v e r y w e l l ,
what was r e q u i r e d was a s t a t e s m a n l i k e
tion,
rpip?
nevertheless
r e p o r t on t h e
s u c h a s w o u l d b e r e n d e r e d by a n e x p e r i e n c e d
PRIME MINIS TEE s u g g e s t e d
would b e t o s e l e c t
make t h e
a Protestant
that
Judge
enquiry.
The C a b i n e t t h e n a d j o u r n e d t h i s p a r t o f
t h e i r d i s c u s s i o n , a s i t w a s f e l t t h a t no
d e c i s i o n c o u l d be t a k e n u n t i l t h e r e p l y
of the r e p r e s e n t a t i v e s o f the P r o v i s i o n a l
Government, w a s r e c e i v e d .
(At t h i s p o i n t
General S t a f f
the Chief of the
entered.)
Imperial
situa­
Statesman
perhaps the b e s t
and a C a t h o l i c
though
plan
to
REPORT CF.-JOIB
MEETING OF
.ROVISIGNAL
GOVERNMENT OP
IRELAND CQHHITaaBB
AND 3UB-G OMMITTEE
ON IRELAND OF TUB
COMMITTEE OF
IMPERIAL DEFENCE.
(g)
5
With, r e f e r e n c e t o C a b i n e t 3 1
Conclusion
(£2),
( c ) -the SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE
COLONIES g a v e t h e C a b i n e t a r e s u m e o f
reports
which had been p r e p a r e d as t h e r e s u l t
of
j o i n t meeting of the P r o v i s i o n a l
o f I r e l a n d Committee and t h e
Government
Sub-Committee
on I r e l a n d of t h e Committee o f
D e f e n c e h e l d on t h e p r e v i o u s
a
Imperial
afternoon.
Mr.Churchill explained that the
joint
Committee
had d i v i d e d i n t o Sub-Committees which had
produced t h e r e p o r t s which he
These r e p o r t s s e t
summarised.
forth,
s i d e r a t i o n of the Cabinet,
for
certain
the eon­
economic
and m i l i t a r y m e a s u r e s w h i c h c o u l d be t a k e n ,
if
t h e C a b i n e t s h o u l d so d e c i d e .
In c e r t a i n
even­
tualities.
She C a b i n e t a g r e e d
t­
( a ) That no d e c i s i o n was
f o r a t the moment;
called
( b ) That t h e C o m m i t t e e s s h o u l d
pursue t h e i r i n q u i r i e s under the
general direction
of the
S e c r e t a r y of S t a t e f o r the
Colonies.
MARTIAL LAW IE
AREAS AFFECTED BY
POSSIBLE MILITARY
MOVEMENTS.
3.
In the course of the discussion on the
subject referred to in the preceding conclusion,
THE SECRETARY OP STATE POE WAR raised the
question as to whether, in the event of a
decision to ma&e the military dispositions
outlined by the Secretary of State for the
Colonies, the military authroities would be
permitted to declare martial law.
THE LORD PRIVY SEAL considered that if
it should become necessary to have resort to
military movements, the military authorities
must be supported by the Government in any
steps of the hind indicated by the Secretary
of State for War, which they might deem
necessary.
lo dec1st on was reached on this
point *
TREATIES OP
WASHINGTON
(4) With reference to Cabinet 92(81),
Conclusion 1, the Cabinet aiithorisetl the intro­
dnction in the House of lords by the First lord
of the Admiralty of a Bill to give effect to
those Articles of the Treaty for t h e £imitation
of Naval Armament and of the Treaty to Protect
Neutrals and Ion-Combatants at Sea in Time of
War, which were concluded at Tfeshington and
which necessitate fresh legislation in this
country
(C.P.3977).
PIKTZHE CABIIBf
BtTSIHESS.
( 5 ) SHI PRIME MIIISffiEH said he would have to
ask his colleagues to remain available in case
it was necessary to hold a further meeting of
the Cabinet after the reply of the Members
of the Provisional Government of Ireland was
received.
2,vaiitehall
Gardens, S.W,/l
2nd June, 192£