STRONG ACTION IN IRELAND

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 139, 1 March 1918, Page 8

STRONG ACTION IN IRELAND

WAR COUNCIL INTERVENES

FURTHER SINN FEIN OUT-

RAGES

POLICE FIRED ON

London, ..February 27

The ''Daily News" correspondent at J/imerick sap: Council has takeii a strong line in relation to the unsettled conditions, and thero is no cause"for alarm;, Arrangements have been made capable of coping with any trouble." .

Mr. H. E. Duke (Chief Secretary for Ireland) states, that Sinn Feiners commenced the' disorders, 'hoping to wreck 4he Convention, which, is at a critical stage. i ' Mr. Duke has written to the Lord Mayor of. Cork that physical disability,' due to hunger-striking, is not a ground for discharge from prison. Ordinary criminals in all parts of Ireland are adopting the. hunger-strike. The '"Freeman's -Journal" reports that Mr. Duke , is resigning, but the latter says he has no statement to make- on the subject. ■ The "Manchester Guardian" says that the authorities in Ireland iiave failed to realise the importance of the insidious beginnings of semi-agrarian crime and intimidation which have now become "reckless,: 'irresponsiblej ■ and defiant. • The movement would deserve ithe name "anarchical"-if it did not seek-to justify, itself; by attempting .to perform; some of the neglected duties of the existing anarchical ■'vsfcem of government. Sporadic bands, colling themselves provisional governors, were ■lawlessly attempting rural- reconstruction, which the Executive had suspended r at the outbreak of the T.ar. Almost ieyery parish; has its ,I'rothero and Rhbndda,' instructing farmers 'acd graziers not-to buy or sell; The. Sinn Feiners threaten to; control the, exports.' Ireland must be given, a Government which will govern, whatever the constitution.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable 'Assn. '. CRISIS APPROACHING , •'■ London; February 2". The Dublin corresnondeht,'«f ''The Times" states that "Mr. H. E. Duke, Chief Secretary for Ireland, has piomised the Government's practical help to .persons who.se lands have been seized in the name of the , Insh Republic. The correspondent adds that for months past peasants iieve been seizing and ploughing lands, despite the presence of police. He urges the gravity of tho position, and the necessity of prompt action. The nest i'e\> -weeks, perhaps days, will severely test the. Irish-Executive. Possible peace, 'and the fate of ilie Irish Convention, are in Mr. Duke's hands. Among the latest outrages reported is one in County Clare, where an armed bank stuck 'up a bank manager who was motoring to the Kilfeafagh cattle fair to pay the dealers, and stole from him £5500. The police cautioned three thousand men who were driving cattle at Castle Fergus. The drivers attacked the police barracks and shouted: "Close in! Kill them!" They refused to disperse, whereupon the police fired, wounding two men. The mob then dispersed, carrying off the wounded men. At Eoscommon pig fair the farmers, resenting the fixed prices, .mobbed the Dublin Food Control officialXThe police rescued him. The dealers'refused to purchase pigs, fearing another Sinn Fein seizure.— The Times." '

CLARE UNDER MARTIAL LAW

London, February .27. The County of Clare has been declared a special military area under , the Defence of the Realm Act. 'iii military forces have been strengthened.—"The Times." TYPICAL OF THE. DISORDER IN GLARE. London, February 27. A daring outrage in County Clare on Sunday was typical'of the utter disorganisation of the country. Two constables were bady shot while protecting a family who were Crown witnesses in the Berryniore murder, five years ago. A man named Marrinan was returning home, with constables escorting him, when suddenly six masked men jumped over a wall and disarmed and knocked down the constables. -They then fireoVtheir revolvers, wounding' the fallen men. The masked men escaped. No arrests have yet been ■ < made.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable 'lAssn.' ( : , ■.'■■■■■ . OUTRAGES'.CONTINUE.(R'ec. February 28, 10.10 p.m.) ''."' London,. February 27. There have been.further cattle drives in Roscommqn County, and conflicts with the 1 police. Many persons .were injured on both sides.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable 'Assn. . '

THE ARMY OF ZION

■ RECRUITING IN AMERICA. (Rec. February 28, .8 p.m.) New York, February 27., 'A Jewish contingent has been drawn .from-various cities and sworn into the British Fusiliers. They are proceeding overseas to join the Zionist regiment and form the nucleus of a Jewish army.—Renter.