IN IRELAND.

Hokitika Guardian, 17 April 1920, Page 3

IN IRELAND.

(Australian a n.z. cable association!

McREADY’S REQUIREMENTS.

(Received This Day at 8 a.m.) LONDON, April 15

Tim “Daily News” states Sir T. Mclieady told General French on arrival, that he must be given a clear field in his new position as Chief, and at the same time a free hand in army administration.

y THE RELEASE. B (Received this day at 9.20 a.m.) ~ (LONDON, April 15. The situation at Mountjoy prison was perplexing through the afternoon and evening, and it was not until sixty or seventy hunger strikers had been carried to the hospital between nine and midnight, that it was certain the Government had reversed its policy and released the 'Sinn Feiners unconditionally. Throughout there was intense excitement. The strike at Dublin liberated the entire working population and the majority gathered in the vicinity of the prison, not knowing whether

the strike had achieved its purpose

There was wild excitement when certain men were released without parole, but the vast crowd was instantly quiet when the ambulances .appeared carrying the. men to the hospital. ' Sir N. MacCready is credited with the responsibility of the dramatic reversal of the Government’s policy. It is believed he told Lord French that lie must have a clear field as.eomman-der-in-'Chief. MacCready’,s representations were submitted to Downing Street, hnd resulted in the repudiation of what the front bench’ said in the Commons twenty four hours earlier. It is understood Hon. H. Greenwood also expressed a desire that the hunger strike should be got out of the way before he took up the reins of the Chief Secretaryship. * Some papers state Lord French is coming to London to consult the Government relative to the responsibilities of MacCready and himself. The “Daily Chronicle” opines that Dublin Castle rule is not Government’s policy. MacCready and Greenwood have been given full power to pave the way to a reconciliation, and the making of the Home Rule Bill possible.

. AIK ARMED RAID. A- t —— (Received this day at 10.35 a.m.) LONDON, April 15. Following the release of sixty eight Mountjoy hunger strikers last night, there was a big military raid at two in the morning in the neighbourhood of Harcourt, where the Sinn Fein head.q'uairtetrs are situated. Many houses were visited and it is reported there were a hundred arrests. 24 more hunge strikers were released to-day. COLD BLOODED MURDER. (Received this day at 10.35 a.m.) LONDON, April 15. It is signifiaent that while political prisoners are treated as heroes, Dublin ■had scarcely a word of sympathy for the unfortunate policeman killed, who after 22 years’ of 'service was murdered in a cold blooded manner, as he was going to work. Ho was in plain clothes. The assassins were evidently familiar with his movements. They hid in a ** quiet spot until Kells was passing and fired shots at the unsuspecting man. Then three men were seen to walla quietly away. A CORK MEETING. * ; ' (Received this day at 10.35 a.m.) ‘LONDON, April 15. Tlie Lord Mayor of Cork announced the release of Sinn Feiners at a mass meeting in Cork. The audience marched to the county gaol where political offenders were incarcerated and played and sang Sinn Fein songs, the prisoners responding and waving flags from the windows.

Irish Trade Union Congrss manifesto congratulates the workers on showing how they can'irnpose their will on the authorities and urges the workers to prevent the exportation of foodstuffs until the rstoration of normal supplies, which were hindered by the stoppage of transport.

The newspapers gonerally consider release marks an entire change in the Irish policy. Hon Lloyd George is personally responsible for the change. French, MaoPherson and Sir John TayJor permanent XJnder-S'ooretaa’y, are gonerally held responsible for the earlier policy. MaoPherson has already resigned and French is likely to follow. It is rumoured Taylor will have a colonial appointment.