IN IRELAND.

Hokitika Guardian, 18 February 1921, Page 3

IN IRELAND.

* AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION. bridges blown up. (Received this day, at 9.30 a.m.) LONDON, February 17. AH bridges within an eight, miles radius of Sbikereen were completely destroyed during the night by powerfc fill explosives. Similar outrages occurred at Bantry and elsewhere m Cork County. The military have commandeered men in the district and are compelling them to repair the bridges. DE VALERA’S CHARGES. (Received This Day at 9.45 a.m ) LONDON, February 17. De Valera, addressed a letter to all British Commoners, accusing troops in Ireland of torturing prisoners, the assassination of men and hoys, the murdering of women and children, the outraging of-women ffnd girls, the flogging of civilians, and forcing of crawling and other degrading orders and th forcing of tliem to work in slave gangs. AN AMBUSH RESULT. (Received This Day at 5).45 a.m.) LONDON, February 17. An official account of Mourneahlev affairs states a patrol surprised two men digging the road and proceeded to arrest them. They discovered forty nv- . —Rians in an ambush. The latter weto intercepted and eight were killed and others were seen to fall. THE “TIMES” COMMENT. “the times” service. (Received This Day at Y 2. 20 p "lA LONDON February 17. The “Ti'mes” in a leader, says the Premier in a speech on Ireland attempted to brazen out the situation that defies a, satisfactory explanation from the first. There is little doubt the burnings in Cork were due to the Crown forces The Irish administration must bear the stain of a lasting disgrace that cannot fail to react on the good repute of England. The authors of the present policy of administration are directly blameable for connivance in rendering the burning of Corkpossible. Their offence morally, is not less grave than that of the criminals who actually perpetuated the arson. ; The plresent administration has Jong since forfeited all claim to public confidence, either in deftire or ability to maintain the high traditions ol British Clove mine nft. The speocih is nothing less than a confession of failure in Irish policy. Tlie path to truce negotiations through Archbishop Clune was the right path, lmt it ‘appears to have been deliberately blocked at a critical moment. Is it not possible for it to bo reopened. GUILTY OF LARCENY. (Received this day at 9.30 a.m.) LONDON, Feb. 18. O’Hara- and Myers <of the Royal Irish Constabulary pleaded guilty at a court-martial at Waterford to eight charges of larceny. The police gavt evidence that accused admitted robberies of money and jewellery during raids to various bouses.