THE IRISH PROBLEM.

Hokitika Guardian, 16 February 1922, Page 3

THE IRISH PROBLEM.

reutek’s TELEGRAMS. THE DIEHARD'S LONDON, Feb. 14. The London “Daily Nows” states: The Government are gravely disquieted over the increasing Conservative unrest, by Collins’ and Craig’s boundary differences, the raids, and tlie shooting going on in Ulster. The anxiety has etrengthened the Conservative “Die-hard,s,” with the result that a first-class political crisis is possible’when the Irish Treaty Bill is debated to-day. Besides Captain Craig’s “diehard” amendment, the hae tabled another amendment that the House refuse to proceed with the Irish Free State Bill until murder, outrages and kidnappings in Ireland cease, and a tacks have been definitely abandoned, and kidnapped people released.

TYPICAL OUTRAGE. .Received This Day at 11.30 a.m.) LONDON, Feb. 15. The following are some typical, outrages in Belfast:—

A gunman fired into a tram filled with male and female factory workers. The conductor was wounded in the back and passengers cut by broken glass.

William Woring, caretaker of the Orange Hall was walking along Regent Street when a Catholic gunman knelt down, put the rifle to his shoulder and shot and killed Waring.

A youth named Harper was similarly shot in full view of a. tramcnr loaded with people. Shots were fired at ex-service, men engaged in relaying a road in Belfast. One was killed and another wounded. The bomb outrage on the skipping children was of a most horrible character. • They were playing in the moonlight, their parents sitting at the house doors looking on wTien the bomb was hurled through the air. In a moment later the 1 children lay in heaps in the roadway screaming and moaning whilo agonised mothers sought out their mutilated offspring. Six children are now dead.

COLLINS IN LONDON. (Received This Dav at 9.40 a.in.) LONDON, February 15. Collins has arrived in London and is conferring with Hon.'Churchill. The shooting continues in Belfast. The three bodies of the men shot during the night have been, recovered To-day, two others previously wounded have succumbed. THE KIDNAPPED. ’Received This Day at 9.40 a.m.) LONDON, February 15. In the Commons Hon. Churchill stated that Collins informed him lie secured the release of fifteen Ulsterites who had been kidnapped and hoped the remainder would be released during the day.

BRUTAL MURDERS. (Received This Day at 12.25 p.m.) LONDON, Feb. 15,

The “Evening News” Belfast correspondent says some of the murders have been carried out most brutally, re-sembling-an execution.

In one case six armed men seized James Rice, blindfolded him with scar-

ves, muffled his head with an overcoat, , set him against a wall and shot him | dead. j BRITISH TROOPS LEAVING. j LONDON, February "15. j The evacuation of British troops from Southern Ireland has been resumed.