IRISH PROBLEM.

Press, Volume LVII, Issue 17112, 6 April 1921, Page 7

IRISH PROBLEM.

NEW VICEROY'S TASK. POSSIBILITIES OF PEACE. i jßy Cable—Pre<>« Association—CopyriaK \ ("The Times.") '• LONDON, April 3. "The Times,"' in a leader, says the fact that there has been no change in ihe Government's policy towards Ireland will inevitably impede Lord Edmund Talbot's success in regard to a settlement of the "trouble. The policy of forco is hopeless. The Government is proceeding with the elections against well-informed Irish opinion. The outcome of the elections is clouded.

Peace is within tho Government's grasp, but it. is allowing opportunities to slip. Peace can'be accomplished by a firm offer regarding concessions on financial and fiscal points which would remove the chief obstacle to acceptance of the Government Act. Tho Dublin correspondent of "The Times" says Lord Edmund Talbot's appointment is generally favourably received. If the situation undergoes no radical change, however, bis task is hopeless. ~ There is a definite hope, that tho appointment implies a change in the- Government's attitude, and a hope also that the menace of an Irish general election may be averted.

If the first step towards peace were taken to-morrow by either side it would release influences which would stop civil war. If Lord Edmund Talbot's appointment means a truce it means everything; if it means no truce, :t means nothing.

("The Tnnea,") (Received April sth. 7.25 p.m.} LONDON, April 4. The Dublin correspondent of "The Times" states that the .Dail Efreann says the British Government has not offered the- slightest genuine indication that it is prepared to negotiate on a basis likely, to achieve success. The correspondent remarks that the responsibility to negotiate rests with the officials of the Dail Eireann, and only confrtsion is caused by _ the futile 'interference of self-appointed negotiators, which must cease.

INCENDIARISM NEAR LONDON. (Australian aqd N.Z. Cable Aiaociation.) LONDON, April 4. An .epidemic of fires is reported to have occurred around London during the week-end. The fires are attributed to Sinn Feiners. Sixteen stacks were destroyed near Sevenoaks, and other, stacks at Bromley,' Kent, and also in Hertfordshire. The incendiaries apparently used time fuses.. • » . KILLED m AN AMBUSH. LONDON, April 4. Corcoran, la. prominent Sinn Feiner, who has been on the run for nine months, was killed in an ambush. THE ASHFOBD MUBDEB. (Received April stb, 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, April 4. The Sinn Fein murder at Ashford, Middlesex, created a sensation. A fly. ing motor aquad < froth Scotland Yard, ' comprising detectives who are all skilled ' revolver 3nots ia searching the district fdr the ( murderers, who are believed to be in hiding. , A woman identified the body of the dead man in, the tuary. She 1 says he was recently on duty in Ireland, and was on leave when he was murdered. The police have reconstructed' the crime from mud r stains and other indications on the body. They say the victim was caught a considerable distance away, and forced into a car by .two men who, together with the driver, '.drove along the Kingston, road >to the golf course, where the .man was dragged ■from--the-car, 1 forced to kneel and ' .aay nyi prayers, then being killed by three .revolver shots. ~-.•

as exciting noma. (Received April sth, 7.55 p.m.) - y LONDON, April %., 'A large, number of women and children picnicking in the mountains south' ot Dublin were nearly involved in a conflict with the Crowi} forces. Sixty ciyiHans were engaged in military manoeuvres, and the-authorities at Dub> iip, learning of the manceuvres, deWtched several loads of auxiliaries, who chased the Republicans across ' cwrntfy. The Republicans, by igniting "the furze, improvised a smoke screen. , fie police state that many of tl» rebels .jaipgled with the picnickers, preventing police jfrom firing. '• -- ESMONDS ARRESTED. v

(Received Aprd sth, 7.58 p.ta.) . VANCOUVER, April 4»;Esmonde has been arrested for seditious utterances. FEamonde, who was refused pernnu- % Eton to Janiin Australio or New Zealand, arrived at Vancouver last week : in the Makura, after months on board that .ship. He was ■ allowed to land after giving an under- ' taking to proceed without delay to , England, but when released he, addwa* ed a meeting of members of the Irish Self-Determination League, and made ,a fierce attack pn what he called. tfee , regimo of "a drunken Viceroy and murderous politicians/']