IN IRELAND.

Hokitika Guardian, 23 February 1921, Page 2

IN IRELAND.

AUSTT.AI.IAN AND N. 7.. CAULK ASSOCIATION. MR DEVLIN’S ATTACK. LONDON, Feb. 21. Mr Devlin called on Government at least to fight) the band of peasant hoys who formed the Sinn Fein Army, fairly and cleanly, and if they could not overcome them, let the British clear out of Ireland. Both Sinn Feiners and Government were engaged in a fruitless task. Let the Government invite Sinn Feiners to meet them a fid fashion out some plan of agreement. If the moral conscience ot the country aas not aroused by what is going on in Ireland, public opinion had got into the deadly grip of gross materialism.

INDIGNANT DENIAL j OF DE VALERA’S CHARGES. LABOUR COMMISSION’S FINDING. LONDON, Feb. 21. In the Commons Sir Ha-mar Greenwood indignantly denied De \ alcra s statement that the Crown forces were guilty of any outrages on women. Even the Labour Party’s Irish Commission admitted that not more than one per cent, of the constabulary were bad. Considering the danger these men were placed in, this was a superb compli- i ment. Every man in the Crown forces j who was accused, was brought to trial. J They found most of the accusations wore false. The reason there were no ’ more casualties in the Crown forces ■ was that the soldiers were not sealed up ; in barracks, hut were fighting for,authority of the Crown and were succeeding. The Irish Republican Army was confined to certain areas. The Govern--ment had broken the reign of terror in two thirds of Ireland. LEADER ESCAPER CAPTURE. LONDON, Feb. 22. The Chief of Staff of the Irish Republican Army had a narrow escape from capture in the military raid on the Dublin headquarters, cabled yesterday. The military found a cup of tea on his desk, and also an unfinished ; letter to his wife. j Bloodhounds were put on, but failed . to find any scent. He had previously j had a narrow escape in his night clothes j ARCHBISHOP M.ANNIX. ' LONDON, Feb. 21. 1 Archbishop Mannix addressed 20(X) sympathisers with Sinn Fein at Edinburgh. As the Usher Hall was refused, the meeting took place in the playground of St Patrick’s Church. Archbishop Mannix addressing 2000 Sinn Feiners at Edinburgh, declared that the Irish are being bludgeoned and murdered daily. It was a disgrace to civilisation and an eternal disgrace to Britain. If there had been any chance of a union between England and Ireland the present Government had destroyed it. '