IRISH AFFAIRS

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 160, 2 April 1921, Page 7

IRISH AFFAIRS

COMMISSION’S BIASED REPORT

MISAPPREHENSION IN AMERICA / STATEMENT BY BRITISH EMBASSY fly Telegraph—Press Association-Copyright (Rec. April 1, 10.30 p.m.) Washington, March 31. The British Embassy has issued a statement commenting upon the Commission’s report on Ireland, which charges the Crown forces with perpetrating atrocities. The statement says: "These reports are entitled to exactly the amount of weight which should be given to any judgment 'based entirely on ex parte evidence, that is biased and wholly misleading both as to its general conclusions and in matter's of detail.” The statement denies that Ireland is a devastated country, but. states that it is one of the most prosperous parts of Europe, that the deposits in the joint stock banks have increased fifty-three million pounds since 1914, and that the Sinn Fein votes at the 1918 cdection were loss than half a million out of two million. The Commission's report admits that it did not receive any evidence from British sources.

The statement! proceeds Misapprehension appears to exist regarding the- necessity for raising funds in America for Irish relief work. Statistics show that Ireland was never more prosperous than now. Every case of distress and destitution, aside from unemployment due to normal trade depression and normal poverty, is due directly to the Sinn Fein rebellion. Sinn Fein regions refuse to accept funds raised in the United Kingdom for their aid, but appeal to America for charity. The British Government, while not agreeing that there is any need for American charity, will not place unnecessary burdens on any charitable organisation constituted strictly on a non-political basis.—Aus.N.Z. Cable Assn.

BARRACKS BLOWN UP TEN POLICEMEN KILLED. London, March 31

A large force of armed men blew up the police barracks at Rosscarbery (12 miles from Skibbereen, in Cork). The attack opened' at 2 o’clock in the morn, ing. when bombs and explosives demolished the front wall, and lasted for several hours. There was heavy and continuous rifle fire. The garrison, numbering twenty-two, held the barracks until the last room took fire, then six escaped from an upper window.. Five police were killed and twelve wounded, and two are missing. The explosions were heard thirty miles distant. Reinforcements were dispatched to the scene, but as moter traffic was impossible owing to the destruction of bridges they were obliged to walk. When they arrived tho attackers had disappeared, taking equipment from the' destroyed barracks. It is stated that the rebels lost heavily.— Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

DESPERATE FIGHT AMID FLAMES. (Rec. April 1, 8.30 p.m.) London, Api-il 1.

The /latest Report states that ten policemen are dead at Rosscarbery. A tragic story states that the defenders fought' amid flames until driven from their last refuge in a small upper room, from which they leaped to tho ground amid barbed wire defences. They thus became a target for the attackers’ concentrated fire. Only three escaped and reached Clonakilty. It is believed that most of the casualties were duo to a heavy explosion of stored bombs and ammunition.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

GUNS AND AMMUNITION CAPTURED

FARMER SHOT DEAD. London. March 31.

The police captured a. Lewis gun, a German aeroplane gun, and five thousand rounds ,pf ammunition in a stable in Harcourt .Street, Dublin. William Lattimer, a former, living near Mohill, did not respond to. a demand to go outside, whereupon a bomb was throw through the 'window. Lattimer then went outside, and was shot dead.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. SOUTHERN UNIONISTS INTERVIEW CARDINAL LOGUE. London, March 31. (.'ordinal Logue received a- deputation of Southern Unionists. It is understood that the meeting had reference to opening negotiations between the Dail Eireann and the Government.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

FLAG INCIDENT IN MELBOURNE

INQUIRIES REGARDING SEDITIOUS

DOCUMENT. Melbourne, April 1

Mr. W. M. Hughes, referring to the document found on one of the men arrested in connection with the St. Patrick’s Day flag incident, said the question was whether ithe document was genuine. Amongst the names mentioned on it was that of a member of the British Parliament. The -probability was that the names and designations used were not to be regarded too seriously. If they turned out to be genuine the necessary, steps would be taken. People could not come to Australia and use it as a vantage ground for the propagation of sedition against the Empire. The police are investigating whether, as the document alleges, a branch of the Irish Republican Army actually exists in Australia.—Press Assn.

fA typed document found in the pocket of one of the arrested men was headed, "Irish Republican Army, Melbourne Branch.’’ It was signed by three officers claiming to Ire ex-members of the Republican Army in Ireland. The document urged Irishmen not to follow the Union .Tack, and declared that any attempt to carry the flag would be met by armed resistance."|

ESMONDE TO EMBARK FOR ENGLAND PERMITTED TO CROSS CANADA UNDER SURVEILLANCE. (Rec. April 1, 9.55 p.m.) Vancouver, March 31. Osmond Grattan Esmonde having undertaken to crnlrark without delay for England, has been permitted to cross Canada under surveillance. —Aus.-NZ. Cable Assn.