IN IRELAND

Hokitika Guardian, 22 January 1920, Page 2

IN IRELAND

(By Electric Tejegrapfr—oo lytighj,,) fiORD FRENCH’S VIEWS. LONDON, Jap. 20, An important statement regarding tlie future of Ireland appears in the “Pall Mall Gazette.” The Dublin correspondent of flie “Gazetfp’ ’ announces that Vispqupj, French, (Viceroy of Ireland) has been converted fo H°|iif* Rule.

Lord French has become convinced that the only method of dealing with Ireland is by conceding her the fullest measure of automony consistent with Imperial supremacy. Lord French recognises that there are only two courses possible. These are either the present system of military rule or self-govern-ment. The Viceroy has now become convinced of the futility of military rule in Ireland.

Tho correspondent add.su These statements are made by a high authority who is associated with the present Irish administration. 'the authority further asserted that Lord French favours a more comprehensive measure of selfgovernment for Irplapd than that Mr Lloyd George proposes. He tilso declares that Mr Lloyd George’s proposals when they become embodied in a Bill will lie found to be more comprehensive thail that what has already been indicated.

IRISH MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS LONDON, Jap. 20.

Tiie “Pall Mill Gazette’s” Dublin cor respondent reports that Sinn Fein ha* won the Irish municipal elections, Tho correspondent- emphasises the su. premacy that lias been gained in the elections by Sinn Fein.' Sinn Fein, he says is now the Party power in Ireland. He added: ‘‘Any Irish settlement *m;ust he arranged with Sinn Fein.

The Dublin correspondent of the “Pall Mall Gazette” reports that he understands that one of the first actions of the new Sinn Fjein Majority in tho Dublin Corporation will be t'o repudiate the authority of the English' Lineal Government Board in ionnection with the municipal administration.

IRISH MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS. THE RESULTS DISCLOSED. (Received 'this* day at jj1.40 A.m.) ' ' • jbONJ)()N, Jan. 11$. Sinn Fein did "not obtain tho pr.}dieted sweeping victory at the Irish municipal Elections in which proportional representation was introduced. Sinn Fein had small majorities ip Diifrjiii, CprkV J/jmerick ans ofh«p towns'll) the south and wgsj. s|<* Labour Party, which is favourable R( flip Sing Feiii, secured the next lar£: cs(i representation. pnipfiisis, EOr formers, Nationalists and Independents combined have a substantial represent tatlon though in tho minority. The Sinn Fein have forty one out of eighty eaets in Dublin Corporation, compared with seven, previously, nnd the Nationalists nine compared ■ with fifty-one. In Ulster, the Unionist majority was substantially reduced. They have thirty-one seats in Belfast out of sixty, and compared with fifty-two previously.

SINN FEIN RECOUP, (Received this day, at 9.30 a.m.) LONDON, Jan. 18. An official return covering the last seven months of 1919, shows that Sinn Fcinners murdered eighteen police and two civilians: fired at the police on 63 occasions, and civilians on 14. They fired into dwellings on 41 occasions and also made 598 raids for arms, and caused 70 incendiary fires.