IN IRELAND

Hokitika Guardian, 22 September 1920, Page 3

IN IRELAND

(By Electric Telegraph—Copyright.)

MORE MURDERS. (Received this day at 9.30 a.m.) LONDON, Sept. 21. Police Inspector Burke and Sergeant Burke, who are brothers, were shot dead in Balbriggan at mid-night. Uniformed men then* sacked Balbriggnn. Two civilians were shot dead and several wounded, Many business houses were destroyed, About 50 constabulary recruits were engaged in sacking Balbriggan. Dairyman Gibbons and Barber Lawless were dragged out from their houses and were first bayoneted then shot ' houses, mostly belonging to prominent Sinn Feiners nere 'b/hrned,

TIMES AND DAILY MAIL’S CRITICISM.

(United Service Telegrams).

(Received This Day at 8.40' a.m ) V' LONDON, September 21. - Interviewed by a Parisian correspondent, Police Comm&ssfpner. Macready said: “Yes, there lias been some reprisals in Ireland; say three at most. He added : “We are taking every step to prevent a. recurrence. The troops mission is to help protect the police force which is insufficient to maintain order. The British Government faced by the Sinn Feiners 5 practical declaration of war, does not wish to retaliate m the sapie manner; but in the event o a general revolt we are perfectly reacjy. He. insisted' that Ireland really desired peace, b»t a very small hand of terrorists was imposing a violent policy ■ ((We know most of their names and ie day may come when we shall effect a clearance ; If so Ireland would a month later know tranquility and order. Ihp correspondent frankly disagiees with Mr Macready’s first statement. The “Times” Dublin correspondent telegraphs that there had been a good many reprisals by the police, and a {ew by the soldiers. The Sinn Feiners began the campaign of political murder -and outrage. Such reprisals are at least intelligible to all who know the present conditions of life in Ireland. Tlie police in lonely places are attacked and martyred. They would be morg or less than human if the passion of ] resentment did not strain the bonds of discipline. The people argue that the reprisals are haying the merit pf checking outrages where vigilance and discipline have failed. Many towns are now quite peaceful, in other places outrages are discouraged by the hvely fear of retaliation. None-the-less reprisal® are deplorable, because they are creating permanent bitterness between the Afferent cesses of Irishmen in weakening to a daqgerous W respect surviving fqr constitutional law and order. The public is forced to Infer that the Executive either recards reprisals leniently or Is powerless to prevent them. Both theories work great mischief while the splendid traditions of the Royal Irish Con- j stabulary are damaged. The “Daily Mail” Dublin correspondent states’the English auxiliaries of the Irish Constabulary are responsible for the reprisal tactics, which has spread terror throughout the country districts where every policemen or soldier is shot. The nearest community lives throughout the night in fear believing the curse of Oliver Cromwell lias been revived. The correspondent adds that the Sinn Feiriefrs are drifting into two camps. Griffiths is fighting for the leadership against the violent, and influential leaders of the Republican ar- < my; meanwhile British military system has markedly improved.