IRISH AFFAIRS.

Press, Volume LVIII, Issue 17471, 3 June 1922, Page 9

IRISH AFFAIRS.

FREE STATE CONSTITUTION, j DBAFT UNACCEPTABLE. (By Cable— Press A?soci»tioEr—Copyright.) iA'ustraban acd K.Z. Cable Association.) (Received June 2nd. 9.15 p.m.} LONDON, June 1. A prolonged conference, in which Mr Lloyd George. Mr Winston Churchill. Lord Birkenhead, nnd Sir Haiuar Greenwood were most active, failed to find a solution for the problems arising from the draft Constitution for the Irish Free State. After discussion with Mr M. Collins, Mr A. Griffith, and other Irish delegates, tho Cabinet ctimo to the conclusion that the Constitution does not carry out the letter or spirit of the Treaty, and asked that it he revisad. The only hope is that the conference of Irish l«aders at Dublin at tho week-end may lead to a decision to revise the uraft Constitution, and thus save Ireland from tho renewal of warfare. It is understood the draft in iio way follows the Canadian precedent, as was promised, and in some respects it is a violation of the Canadian systemThe Government warned the Free Stnters that, any attempt to deviate from the terms of the Treaty must wreck the Treaty and reverse the Government's policy. Mr Collins replied that he was personally desirous of carrying out the treaty, but everything must be done to reconcile the de Valera party.

Mr Collins, in au interview, admitted that the situation whs not without difficulty, but the difficulties were created by people in high places. Asked to explain, he said: "Wo cannot allow men like Lord Carson to dictate what is best for Ireland." Mr Collins is returning to Dublin to-night. Mr Griffith and Mr Duggan ore staying on in London. The political correspondents of the London dailies admit that civil war in Ireland is not far off. The latest news is that Earl Balfour is taking a hand in the negotiations. He will see Sir James Craig and Lord Londonderry on Friday. STATEMENT BY MR DE VALERA. (Keceived June 2nd, 8.0 p.m.) LONDON, June 2. Mr de Valera has issued a statement in which he says: Mr Churchill's threats do not affect us. We deny the right of any English authority to prescribe what Irishmen should or should not do. ( CONFERENCE OP PREMIERS. (Received June 2nd, 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, June 1. Sir James Craig and Lord Londonderry had a lengthy interview with Mr Lloyd George. It is understood that the latter submitted the Government's views on the Coliins-De Valera pact. (Received Juno 2nd, 11.45 p.m.) LONDON, June 1. Sir James Craig takes the gloomiest view of the Irish outlook.

A BORDER BATTLE. TBOOFS BUSHED UP. (By Cable—Prcsi Association-Copyrigkt.) (Australian and N.Z. Caule Association.) LONDON, Juno 2. Fighting is proceeding on a mile front on the southern border of Ulster. British troops are being rushed to the scene. The Manchester Regiment has been ordered to proceed to Ireland on June 20th. SNIPING AND BOMBING. ■ (Bv Cahle—Prew ..seo.-tioß—Copyiig-»t.) lAuatralian and N.Z. Cabio Association.) LONDON, June 1. There was considerable firing in the Grosvenor road district of Belfast today, the Crown forces vigorously replying to the snipers. A boy eleven years of age was killed and several people AVore injured. Bombs were thrown at tram-cars last night. The gunmen's firing is said to be the most extensive that has ever occurred. A truce has been declared in Strahane and Liffoid, on the Donegal-Fer-managh border, and so far has been honourably observed. Road traffic has been resumed.

SITUATION IN BELFAST. | CONTINUOUS WAEFAEE. (Received June 2nd, 9.40 p.m.) LONDON, June 1. There is anxiety on the part of the Northern Government regarding an invasion, resulting in much activity at Lough Foyle, whero the destroyer Warwick has arrived. Part of Lough Foyle is in the Free State territory, and the Free State authorities challenge the British right of search there. There are already nineteen British battalions in Ulster, in addition to artillery, which is moving near the frontier. The situation in Belfast continues of the gravest charucter. The Opera House has been closed. The picture palaces and music halls are doing 60 little business, owing to Sinn Fein threats to blow them up, that they contemplate closing down immediately. There were numerous attempts at murder and burnings during the afternoon. Fourteen people were killed in the Millfield area in twenty-four hours. The military are doing their best to isolate the Sinn Fein gunmen. Their machine guns are raking the streets, but the Sinn Feiners are well concealed. The machine-gunners are inexpert, and the machine-guns finally jammed after several civilians, some of whom were Roman Catholics, had been killed or wounded. After a bomb had been thrown at a tram-car, a Loyalist mob got out of hand and burned several houses in the Catholic area, but the gunmen were always able to escape. Pedestrians meanwhile went to work at the risk of their lives. Several were killed or

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wounded who were taking no part in the conflict, including a boy going to school and an old blind beggar selling laces. In one case a Sinn Feiner stopped a man driving a motor-lorry, brutally murdered him, and drove off with the lorry, throwing the body in the roadway. During the day the Belfast Fire Brigade answered twenty-six calls. There were many cases of looting, including spirit shops. Boys ran about offering bottles to the passers-by, hiding when the police came in view. The shooting in Belfast has been marked by most atrocious crimes. Many people were killed in houses where the rival factions pursued them, and the houses set on fire. The bodies were rescued just in time to prevent cremation. In some instances the firemen's hoses were played over themselves. Bayonet charges by the military dispelled the mobs who joined in the appalling battle. The situation is still grave and entire lamilies are fleeing in