IN IRELAND.

Hokitika Guardian, 17 April 1920, Page 2

IN IRELAND.

STATEMENT IN COMMONS. (Imperial News Service). 4 LONDON, April loin the Commons, Hon Bonar Law read a message from Lord French, stating, 'following the precedent of Alderman O’Brien, who was arrested on suspicion of implication in a conspiracy to murder loyal servants of the Crown, in Ireland, and hunger striked in prison and was sent to a nursing home, the Governor of Mountjoy pri-. son, Dublin, was authorised to liberate prisoners awaiting trial or deportation, whom the doctors certified to be in imminent danger of death, and requiring

treatment which could not be given in prison. Accordingly, 66 prisoners were released on parole for periods differing according to their particular case. Owing to a mistake of the prison authorities, some of these 66 were convicted prisoners serving sentences, who were in nowise entitled to release on parole. He emphasised this was not to form a -precedent. The

whole action taken in regard to hunger striking was based on a decision in regard to ameliorative treatment. He denied there was any change in the Government’s attitude. The same course was followed as in the case of O’Brien. Government would be only too glad to change the Irish policy, if conditions changed, but it must take every precaution to protect life.

DETAILS OF RELEASE-

LONDON, April 14

There is some doubt at present as to the extent of the concession mud*, to the demands of the Sinn Feiners.

Tlie authority for the Exchange Telegraph Agency’s! announcement is a speech made to a crowd outside Mountjoy prison, by a man giving the Acting Lord Mayor of Dublin’s word for it. The Acting Lord Mayor had been previously summoned to the Vice- Regal lodge. Another version has 'it that Lord French lias pronounced that he is leaving the matter in the hands of tlie prison doctors. Consequently many of the hunger strikers will be released forthwith. They are either in a state of collapse or are bordering (hereon. One Sinn Fein prisoner collapsed. Tliis prisoner was released.this afternoon.

Tlie situation in the Mountjoy prison was of the gravest. In the afternoon f many deaths were being expected at any moment.

Four men were unlikely to live and the remainder were in the last stages of exhaustion.

It was significant that simultaneously with Lord French’s summons to the Acting Lord Mayor to visit him (though previously an interview was refused) the military were withdrawn from the precincts- of the. prison. A priest appeared at four o’clock and’ requested tlie crowd to- allow a pas-' sage between the prison and hospital, and also not to make any demonstration, as the men are in the weakest possible condition. Tlie prison authorities then summoned an ambulalnice porps. The prison gates ( were thrown wide open, and the people were allowed freely to enter. Irish volunteers were drawn up, and they kept order. The police and troops were now invisible. Tli Punchestown races have been abandoned, involving a loss of thousands of pounds. Tlie strike has spread to Londonderry, but the Unionist workers are not participating.

EFFECTS OF THE STRIKE. LONDON, April 16. In consequence of the Irish strikes several shipping lines have ceased their services between Ireland, and Britain. Tin's is owing to the stoppage of transport in Ireland. The Customs offices in Dundalk were burned' down. The incendiaries used petrol. A strike picket boarded a passenger train arriving at Castleblayney, and ordered the driver and stoker to leave the engine. The picket then drew the fire. The strikers at Caiearkmarioro prevented the postmen from delivering the mails. FEELING IN GALWAY. LONDON, April 5. , An »xciting incident occurred in Galway, where the strikers held up the butchers’ carts that were conveying military rations. Three lorries and a tank were sent quickly to the scene. The strikers were dispersed before the levelled rifles of the soldiery.

Sergeant I.avin was found shot dead in a Dublin police depot.

TRIAL OF SINN FEINERS. LONDON, April 15. It is rumoured that the Government will suggest that the Irish Military authorities should try the untried Sinn Fein prisoners by court martial, CHANGE OF POLICY, LONDON, April 15. The “Daily Mail” sates:—“The release of the Sinn Fein hunger strikers marks the beginning of an entire change of the Government policy in Ireland. The first signs of this were the appointments of Sir H. Greenwood, as Chief Secretary, and Sir N. Macron dy as Police Head. The Premier gave Sir N. Mac-ready a free hand to initiate a conciliatory regime.” FRENCH’S RESIGNATION. LONDON, April 15. In view of the change,of policy in regard to Ireland the resignation of the Viceroy, Lord French, is now expected.

ULSTER PRESS COMMENT. (Received This Day at 8 a.m.) LONDON, April 15. The “Belfast News” in a leader commenting on the releases, says by this surrender Sinn Fein has gained in authority what the Government has lost, from its failure to assist the law. It has abandoned the law abiding people to the horrors of Irish rebels. The “Northern Whig” declares that outside of Unionist Ulster, the Government of Ireland lies in the hands of Sinn Feiners. The last surrender is the most calamitous of all mistakes and blunders marking Irish history. . The “Irish News’ ’ characterises it as the greatest climb down in the century.