IN IRELAND.

Hokitika Guardian, 15 December 1920, Page 3

IN IRELAND.

THE CORK SENSATION

(Reuter’s Telegram.!

(Received This Day at 12.20 l> i» ) LONDON/ December ]4. In the House of Oommonß, Sir Hamnr Greenwood states that only one woman looter lost her life in the

Cork fires. He read a telegram from the Lord Mayor of Cork and Sinn Fein Commoners alleging that (luring the week men and women in Cork were hold in the streets and robbed, and unoffending citizens publicly whipped and shot. It is believed some were burned aliv e in their houses. The telegram demands the immediate wihdrawal of the Army of Occupation. Sir H. Greenwood s*d a full inquiry was proceeding. The signatories of the telegram had been asked to give evidence under safe conduct. Dealing with the argument that we should endeaxour to stand well in the ' eyes of the world as regards Ireland, he declared that the only part of the world as regards Ireland, he declared that tho only part of tlio iworld which counted in this difficult period was the part which wished us well. He had yet to see any comment, official or unofficial from any civilised country condemning the British Government. On the other hand he saw many communications wishing us well in one of the most difficult tasks ever faced by a Government. He could not imagine anything more contemptible than to yield at all costs to gangs of assassins, who, by murder and arson, were endeavouring to intimidate them into surrender. We are dealing with this conspiracy fairlv and fearlessly. It was unfair to attribute every burning incident in Ireland to the gallant men who showed such splendid restraint against almost intolerable provocation. All burnings ■ and murderings were logical conse- ■ queiices of the Sinn Fein extremist conspiracy to smash the Empire. The way to prevent the consequences was to uproot the cause.

MARTIAL LAW PROCLAMATION (Received This Day at 11.30 a.m.) LONDON, December 13.

Sir N. Macrendy has issued a proclamation in the martial law districts saying the Irishmen will understand from this that Great Britain has no quarrel with Irishmen. The sole quarrel is with crime, outrage and disorder. The sole object is to restore peace in a distracted unhappy country, whose sole enemies are those who countenanced, inspired and participated in a rebellion, murder and outrage. It is to end once and for all, the campaign of outrage that martial law has been declared. . The proclamation published the names of the military governors. It announces the death penalty for a refusal to surrender arms, ammunition and explosives, or illegally wearing naval or military uniforms. It concludes with the note that while a state of armed insurrection exists, any person participating or harbouring, inviting, aiding or abetting other persons in participation, are guilty of levying war against his Majesty the King, °and liable to the death penalty. It concludes that the Crown forces in Ireland are hereby declared on active service.

* The British Labour Commission has returned to. Dublin. The Chairman, (Mr Cameron) in a statement, said the Commissioner’s outstanding impressions were that the population in Ireland were in terror. Not, infrequently, the Crown forces appear to be attempting to achieve their declared purpose by ter rorising the civil population and inflicting a harsh indefensible oppression on men, women and children not participating in the policy of violence. Life and .property seem almost valueless in the eyes of some sections of crown forces. The Commission - will unhesitatingly express its utmost abhorrence of the criminal, ruthless spirit which dictated some of the worst acts, ever committed in the name of British law and order.