IN IRELAND.

Hokitika Guardian, 8 April 1920, Page 2

IN IRELAND.

(Hy Electric Telegraph—Copyright.) HUNGER STRIKING. LONDON, April 6. There are 80 of the Sinn Fein prisoners now hunger-striking in the Mount Joy gaol in Dublin. A Sinn Feiner, while blowing up police barracks on the Donegal coast was killed by the explosion. Othlr Smn Feiners hid the body, hoping to conceal the tragedy. LORD FRENCH INTERVIEWED. fßeceived This Day at 8 a.ni.) LONDON, • April 7. The “Daily Express” had an interview with Lord French. The latter denied any truth in the report of his intended resignation. He added—“lt is true I am fed up and wish somebody would relieve me on the job, but I am not resigning.” French complained that the position in Ireland has been exaggerated. Too much of the criticism was merely distructive. Nobody was offering a constructive alternative to the present Home Rule Bill. He bad always been a Home Ruler and had been more so since he became Viceroy. - e totally disagreed with Dublin Castle methods. He unable to spend £2O without White- ; .h'all’s permission, but Hon. Lloyd George and Hon. Bonar Law had splen- | didly supported him. The Smn Fein ' movement meant a reign of terror. The best brain in Ireland was behind it and its headquarters were in Dublin.

LORD FRENCH INTERVIEWED. (Received this day at 8.40 a.m.) LONDON, April 7. Lord French in the course of an interview, further said that Sinn lein had now organised an army of one hundred thousand in regiments and brigades under disciplined- officers. Most of the arms had been stolen, lmt they are a formidable army. The authorities had proof from whence the money had came, and know who the three treasurers are. Two are famous men, one is a well-known professor and the other a leading Catholic bishop. Lord French says he is convinced that English opinion is being misled by exaggerated reports. England does not understand Ireland one bit. Asked what the end wbuld be, Lord French replied: “There is clear evidence of a split in the Sinn Fein ranks, which will probably mean the undoing of 4 Sinn Fein leaders, who are behind the Irish murders. Despite the attempt to throw the blame on other shoulders, the Sinn Feiners executed Mac Curtain, because lie refused as a Brigadier of the Irish Volunteers to sign the death warrant of a certain man condemned to die. This man was later found dead outside the town of Limerick.”

DESTROYED BARRACKS. (Rereived this dav at. 8.40 a m.l LONDON, April 7

A total of 165 barracks have been destroyed in Ireland. The authorities intend to lev y a form of compensation In the event of payment being refused, the Government will withhold amounts from grants for local services.