THE IRISH PROBLEM.

Hokitika Guardian, 15 February 1922, Page 3

THE IRISH PROBLEM.

REUTER’S TELEGRAMS

ANOTHER ROBBERY. LONDON, Feb. 13. In Sligo some men drove up in motor cars and robbed the Bank of Ireland here of £9030, and the Provincial Bank of £6,000.

COLLINS’ ATTITUDE. FEAR OF DE VALERA. LONDON, Feb. 13. Mr Michael Collins of the Irish Provincial Government has telegraphed to Mr Lyons (Secretary of the League for the Recognition of the Irish Republic, at Washington) as follows:—“I hrmly believe that the Dail Eireann should not allow its funds to be applied either for the Free Ireland Party, or for the self styled Republicans. The alternative to the Treaty, sooner or later, » a reversion to war conditions. That is the issue. I want the people to decide. If they decide for war, no one can doubt where I stand! Meanwhile do not torpedo ns, and I warn you not to assist or to couitenance the coupe d’etat which is being planned against the new Government, as witness - ie affair in Cork where some departing British police had their arms seized by de Valera’s supporters. The only o>ject of such an action was to destroy the Irish Provisional Government and to hamper the evacuation of the British forces. Mr de Valera’s statement makes it perfectly dear that we are regarded as .greater enemies than the British. Do you stand for that. Let us all be frank, and candid, and see where the different policies lead.”

COLLINS CONFIDENT. LONDON. Feb. 14. Mr Michael Collins declares that the Irish Provisional Government is capable of dealing with the whole situation within the Irish Free State. BRITISH EVACUATION STOPPAGE. LONDON, Feb. 14. It is stated that the report of the suspension of the British military evacuation of Ireland is without foundation, but this statement lacks confirmation. Mr Collins and the Dublin military authorities state that they do not know of any reason for a suspension. A Londoh press message from Dublin states: “The situation is so serious thnt the departure-of the British troops from Dublin and Cork and the other Southern districts has been suspended.

PRISONERS RELEASED

'Received This Dav at P. 40 n.m.i

LONDON, February 4

gome sixty Sinn Fein political prisoners were released from English and Scottish prisons to-day.

A dastardly OUTRAGE. • (Received This Dav at 9.40,a.m.) , LONDON, February 14. A bomb was hurled among., Belfast children. It was a missile of powerful type, A group of light hearted girls and boys were playing with a skipping W. " rope. The children were mutilated by flying shrapnel. Four were killed and fourteen wounded. All were Roman Catholics. The total casualties since Sunday were thirteen killed and forty-nine wounded.