The least Mr. Churchill could have said would have boon
that the Government would in future hold the Southern leaders " to strict accountability," in President Wilson's phrase, for the destruction of private property and for the loss of innocent lives in the South ; and that as for the North of Ireland, whose safety had been solemnly guaranteed, it would be wholeheartedly protected against aggression by the British Government. We have written on this subject elsewhere. Mr. Churchill's speech was made after several conferences in London with Mr. Collins, Mr. Griffith, Mr. Duggan and Mr. Duffy. It was reported that Mr. Collins, who listened to the statement in the House, declared afterwards that Mr. Churchill had given a fair summary of the situation. The Lord Chancellor made a statement in the House of Lords which corresponded closely to that of Mr. Churchill.
