THE IRISH QUESTION

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 154, 19 March 1918, Page 5

THE IRISH QUESTION

MORE FORMIDABLE IF CONVENTION FAILS STATEMENT BY MR. DILLON London, March 17. Mr. John Dillonj replying to congratulations from Inniskilling on his election to the leadership of the Nationalist Party in succession to the late Mr. John Redmond, said that his first step would be to tell England and her statesmen that they must cease talking about a League of Nations and pretending to be carrying on the war in the defence of small nations unless she freed a nation which had been groaning under her mismanagement for seven centuries. He hoped within the nest few days that Ireland wtiuld be allowed to know, the result ot' the Irish Convention. If a settlement had nob been reached the blame must rest on the members of the convention, or a certain section of it. If the convention. failed, the Irish question would assume a more formidable shape. Mr. Dillon'asked the Sinn Feiners to drop their dangerous hluff and unite with their fellow-countrymen It was futile to discuss a possible Irish Republic. Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

IRELAND'S FUTURE INVOLVED IN THE ISSUES OF. , THE WAR. London, March 17. At the Irish Club dinner, at which Sir Thomas Mackenzie (High Commissioner for New Zealand) was present, Mr. J. H. Thomas, M.P., said he refused to separate Irish men and women from the great rtruggle in which the nation was now engaged. The issues were so great and fundamental that no Englishman, Irishman, or Welshman could remain neutral. Ireland's futtiiy was involved, because unless the war was settled on a democratic basis the only alternative was <111 armed Europo and an end to democracy and freedom. , • • Sir Thomas Mackenzie said he had never been able to understand the Dominions were entrusted with the management of their own affairs while the same right was denied to Ireland. —Aus.-N.Z. Cable Aesn.

RIOT AT BELFAST SINN FEINBfIS ATTACK THE POLICE. (Rec. March 18, 10 p.m.) I London, March 18. A collision between Sinn Feiners ai>d the police at Belfast resulted in rioting on Saturday night. There were many casualties. Tho Sinn Feiners, with hurleys, stones, and lighted torches, attacked the police, who charged, using their batons. The polico broke up a ■proclaimed meeting at which Mr. de Valera was speaking—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.