THE IRISH PROBLEM.

Hokitika Guardian, 28 October 1921, Page 2

THE IRISH PROBLEM.

AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION. NEGOTIATIONS SUSPENDED. LONDON, Oct. 20. It is understood Trisli negotiations are suspended pending important communications from Ireland. THE IRISH TRUCE. LONDON, Oct. 20 In the Commons Hon A. ChamberInin when questioned regarding the signature of the Irish truce, said he believed the document was not formally signed, but the truce was agreed upon by the two parties. There bad never been any question that the document was binding on both parties. SINN FEIN VIEW. LON DIN, Oct. 27. The Sinn Fein official organ, the “Iridi Bulletin,” says that the so-call-ed “crisis” alleged to have arisen from Air Do Valera’s recent telegram to the Pope, was one that existed' only in the P *Tim’telegram of the Irsli President it savs, became necessary owing to the British Government’s making a public declaration, during the London negotiations, that the Irish were a subject “The real danger to the Irish Corner cnee’s success lies in the misrepresent tations of the situation in Ireland. The assertions mtide that the Irish arc ready to accept any settlement- will m cvitiiblv. and miseliieviously, strengtliei British opinion against o- just settlement. CONFER UNCE PR OCEEDINGS. DOUBTS AND FEARS.

(Received This T)av at 10.15 a.m.) LONDON. Oct.. 27. •phe Australasian Press understands that unexpected delays are retarding the Irish Conference, and may possibly deter Hon Lloyd George from handling the opening sessions of the Washington Conference. It is believed Sinn Fc”in now demands a discussion bn frontiers, before committing themselves to the question of allegiance to the Unionist Commoners, who demand the immediate cessation of negotiations and closing down of the i-onfer-enoo have increased to fifty-two. This augmentation was expected. Displeasure and excitement followed the disclosure in a white paper that the truce was not in the form of a document. It was pointed out that wholesale breaches are occurring in the south and west of Ireland, and gives instances of establishment of Sinn Fein courts and the mulcting of citizens of sums ranging from £2OO to fioOOopenly deolared for the purpose of arming the I.R.A. It is now ashed if the truce was subject of an honourable understanding, how are these outrages to he explained. H is bluntly assorted in “Diehard” circles that Sinn Feiners are attempting to compel Hon Lloyd George and Hon Chamberlain to again dismember the north of Ireland as a constituent in the Home Rule Act, and curt'nil.its parliamentary powers in exchange for Irish allegiance to the Crown. An absolute vile secrecy is enveloping the conference proceedings, and this prorides scope for the wildest speculations, the only certainty being the rapidly growng suspicion among Unionists and some Liberals, that all is not well.

IRISH BULLETIN. LONDON. October 27. An Irish bulletin referring to the complaint of forced levies for the Republican Ajrmy declares officially all such levies were unauthorised, and must be stopped. Where collections are found necessary in order to finance the local administration, the subscription must be purely voluntary.