IN IRELAND

Hokitika Guardian, 14 February 1920, Page 2

IN IRELAND

Electric Telegraph—Co jyright ,)

HUSH PRESS COMMENT. LONDON, February 11. The Irish press is generally hostile and sarcastic in commenting on the Home Rule proposals mentioned in the klving’s speech. The “Freeman’s Journal” says the proposals are a mockery to the public intelligence, and merely another contribution to Irish anarchy. Tile “Independent” is confident that Ireland wilT not give the scheme a moment’s consideration. The “Irish Times” says Government clearly intends to rush the Bill through, though it ha s not yet consulted any party interest in Ireland.

THE IRISH QUESTION.

LONDON DEMONSTRATION. LONDON, Feb. 12

There was a great crowd at the Sinn Fein demonstration at London in the Albert Hall. The speeches at the meeting were a most vigorous and violent denunciation of England for her rule in Ireland. It has-been suggested by some that the date of the meeting was chosen to synchronise with yesterday’s London meeting of the Council of the League of Nations. The audience sang the Sinn Fein rebel songs and waved Sinn Fein flags. . Mr Arthur Griffiths (Acting Sinn Fein Republic President) declared, in reference to the rule of Dublin Castle that a few months ago the Irish Chief Secretary (Macpherson) had instructed the Irish Constabulary to shoot their prisoners if any rescue were attempted, and also to shoot a certain Sinn Fein Member of the House of Commons on sight and to then accuse him df shooting first. The Chairman rend Mr Robert Smillie’s message to the meeting on behalf of the Scottish National Committee. The message saluted the represents' tivcs of the Irish Republic, and went on to say that the Scottish Nationalist Committee is preparing for tho day—that was. not far distant—when English control of Ireland and Scotland would cease,

The persons, on the platform included the Irish Viceroy’s (Lord French) sister (Mrs Despard). There were guardsmen and pickets stationed at the hall doors to prevent soldiers attending the meeting and breaking it up. Several interruptors were put out,

HOME RULE IN A- YEAR!

(Received This Day at 8 a.m.) LONDON, February 12

Official circles regard Mr MacNeili’s statement to tho Australian Press Association agent as a valuable contribution to the Irish controversy. They consider the moderate tone of the interview augurs well for the smooth working of Home Rule, which is almost certainly to be in operation within a year.- It is well 'known that a largo section of the Sinn Fein, while professing to he dissatisfied with any proposals short of complete independence will not refuse to participate in the advantage of a wise measure of selfgovernment which is contemplated. There are indications that Ulster will not persist in the establishment of its Parliament. It will be a paradoxical situation if Ulster accepted and Sontherjn Ireland, where demands for Home Rule originated, refused to elect members to the Dublin Parliament. But as the interview suggests, even the ranks of Sinn Fein include a moderate wing. As far as the flrjtish Government fe concerned the Home Rule Act will undoubtedly be interpreted in a most generous spirit, thereby piinimising the opposition. Proportional representation introduced into the Irish Municipal election, strikingly demonstrated that Sinn Fein lias a sryialjer following than was generpjly supposed aj> the Parliamentary elections,' wliei} the passions were inflamed by the conscription campaign, and resulted in the return of 75 out of 105 Irish members. An analysis o/ the figures of the municipal elections shows that roughly the votes were distributed as follows; Sinn Fein, thirtytwo per cent • Labour, twenty-two; Unionist twenty; Nationalists, twelve; Independent eight; Municipal Reform, five. It is- undoubted that a great amount of earnest determination and profound conviction is behind Sinn Fein, but it is difficult to believe they ignore the valuable means for securing selfgovernment which the new measure provides. Mr Mac Neill apparently frankly and fairly recognises this.

ANOTHER HOLD UP

(Received this day at 8 a.m.)

LONDON, Feb. 12

There was an amazing hold-up of a military motor van in the heart of Dublip by armed men. A hand cart on which was a long ladder was pulled across the street and formed an effective barricade. Twenty men produced revolvers. Two officers and nine unarmed soldiers were riding on the motor van and obeyed tho command “Hands Up” and alighted while the raiders searched •thq van ,apparently seeking Mr Barton, I, member q ffclie House of Commons, who was undergoing court martial. Failing to find Barton, the raiders coolly walked away. Meantime the tram anil other traffic was held up. Crowds oi people looked on amusedly. A pedestrian was wounded in the foot by a revolver bullet.

FURTHER IRISH ATTACKS. , (Received This Day at 8 a.m.) LONDON, Feb. 12. During tho early morning there was in attack on the police barracksi in an solated village westward of Castle(Qivn at Borehaven, “in which a con (table was killed and another wound* ■ j»he "able was blown out ot the ba ,; n ,kfT The details are meagre. A gang of armed men raided a farrnBr . s House near Rosemoon and compelled the farmer to swear lie would not permit Ida son to join tho police to.ee.