IN IRELAND.

Hokitika Guardian, 9 August 1921, Page 2

IN IRELAND.

tUSTRALIAN AM, N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION. CHARGED WITH MURDER. LONDON, Aug. 7. * The “ Doily Express ” Dubliu correspondent says:—The Dail Eireann Cabinet states authoritivelv that if Mr McKeown, the Sinn Fein M.P., ia not released from gaol, the will be terminated. The correspondent- states that telegrams have been exchanged between the Sinn Fein authorities and the British Government. A special courrier . was despatched to Hon Lloyd George. A prominent member of the Sinn Fein Cabinet- says that the English Government has taken tlii s opportunity of raising a' test ease in the most pointed fashion, calling Mr McKeown a convicted murderer. The «videnee at the trial, however, did not furnish a- reason for describing him as a "murderer. On the contrary, members of the Crown Forces testified to his chivtylry 1 to the foe.’' > The “Daily News” states that Mr McKeown was sentenced to death on June 14th, but the sentence is still unconfirmed. The “ Daily News” also says:—lt is true that Mr McKeown is only a mem. her of the Dail Eireann, whof has been convicted of murder. \et it is impos- ( sible to deny that others are now being released who could have been charged with murder, instead of being charged with being concerned with ambushes. The point is that the truce and the circumstances under which it was arranged, between Sir N. Macready and the chiefs of the Irish Republican Army, involved the full recognition of the status of the Irish Republican forces ns a .combatant army. The British Government’s insistence on • the right to hang Mr McKeown is a reversion to the theory of the “murder gang” in its crudest form. Somebody has blundered. There is no time now to enquire who, or why. Events may soon be swept beyond the power of our control. Let the blunder be admitted and the thunder cloud will be dispersed RELEASED SINN FEIN. (Received This Day at 8.30 %m.) LONDON, August 8. Eleven members of the Dail Eireann were released to-dav and proceeded immediately to Dublin to see de Valera. A DENIAL. LONDON, Aug. 8 The Sinn Fein organisation denies reports that unless MeKeon is released, Sinn Fein will end the truce or the „ Dail Eireann will not meet to discuss proposals.