IN IRELAND.

Hokitika Guardian, 17 August 1921, Page 2

IN IRELAND.

AUSTRALIAN AND" N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION. SINN FEIN’S ATTITUDE. LONDON, August 15. The “Daily Telegraph’s” Belfast corms])(osn<k;nt' says that eintiro public opinion is aghast at Sinn Fein’s folly in rejecting the offer. It is not believed that Mr do Valera is bluffing, but it will not *be surprising if negotiations continue some time before a final rupture CARDINAL LOGUE RETICENT. LONDON, August Iff. Cardinal Logue, interviewed, refused to express an opinion at this stage. The Moderate Nationalists favour , acceptance but they are inarticulate. So far as the rank and file of Sinn Feiners are concerned, there is a hope ful feeling that progress towards a settlement has not been checked. PRESS VIEW. LONDON, August 15. * “The Times” lobbyist says*: “English members of Parliament are unanimous that the Government has gone to the limit of its concessions. Wellinformed persons in close touch with Sinn Fein and the South of Ireland are interpreting Mr de Valera’s statement “that the Dail Eireann could not and the Irish people would not accept Mr Lloyd George’s proposals” os an indication that the ultimate recommendation of the Sinn Fein Cabinet to Dail Eireann will be a referendum of the Irish people, .and not a rejection of the English Government’s terms Any rejection, with the possible renewal of the hostilities, would undoubtedly lead to a general election in England in which the Goverpnient would appeal to the electors for an unchallengnble authority to resist the separatist movement in Ireland.” The Dublin correspondent of “The Times” states: The general feeling in Dublin is that an agreement will eventually be reached. NO AMNESTY GRANTED. LONDON, August 16. Mr Lloyd George, replying to questions in the House of Commons, said that an amnesty had not been granted to any person in Ireland. The release of members of the Dail Eireann was not a precedent for any other releases. LONDON PRESS PREDICTION. LONDON, August 16. The “Daily Express” Lobbyist reports that Mr de Valera is credited with the intention of standing up to the Sinn Fein extremists- and pressing for an Irish referendum on the English Government’s offer. If the Dail Eireann-attempts this method the English Government is prepared to give all the facilities without committing itself to acceptance of the result. Those in touch with Sinn Fein opinion declare that, though Mr de Valera wrote the letter of rejection to please extremists, the letter must not lie taken _ as Sinn Fein’s last word. If the extremists attempt further negotiations it is possible a serious split may immediately develop in the Sinn Fein movement.” AGAINST A CLIMB DOWN ' LONDON, August 16 The “Daily News” Dublin correspondent reports: “The extremists are daily bombarding the members of the Dail Eireann with messages demanding that there shall be no surrender to the British Cabinet. These advocates are supported by a section of the younger priesthood. They commit three errors. Firstly, they badly linder-esti-mate the British military strength; secondly they fail to appreciate the strength -/ of sincerity of the-new spirit regarding Irish affairs that is pervading Great Britain; thirdly, they make insufficient allowance for effect of the British offer on world opinion MEETING OF DAIL EIREANN. (Received This Day at 8.30 a.m.) LONDON, August 16. Leave to all soldiers from Ireland has keen sancelled and they have been ordered to return immediately. Despite downpour of rain, enormous crowds waited outside Dublin Mansion House for the opening of lae Dail Eireann. Traffic was suspended. Large contingents of Irish Republican Army held the streets for a radius of one hundred yards.