THE IRISH PROBLEM.

Hokitika Guardian, 17 February 1922, Page 2

THE IRISH PROBLEM.

I BY TELEtiItAFH —PER PRESS ASSOCIATIONJ

CHURCHILL’S MOVE.

LONDON, Feb. 14. -

Mr Winston Churchill, in the House of Commons, announced that he had arranged for two liason Commissio move about the frontier between'The north and south of Ireland, keeping in touch with each other, iti order to allay unrest.

He added that he had received a quali fled acceptance of this scheme from the Northern Government, and a full agreement with it from Mr Michael Collins. Mr Churchill also stated in the House , of Commons that the greatest pressure is being put ori the Irish Free Stfife Provisional Government tt> effect tlie release of the remaining kidnapped persons. They must also, h« said, 'loojj for similar action by the Northern Government for the release of certain prisoners in their hands. He said that lie did not, however, compare the prisoners taken lawfully with those kidnapped. ULSTER’S SPECIALS. LONDON, Feb. 15. The London “Daily News” Dublin cor respondent states:—The Ulster “Specials” have arrested and have detained at Newry Baracks, Commandant Mona, chan and the two' brothers, Murray, who are I.R.A. officers. This incident may be fraught with grave consequences.

AN URGENT MEASURE. LONDON, Feb. 15. Rt. Hon A. Chamberlain, replying in - the House of Commons to a. question, said that the Government intended to proceed with the proposed Irish Free State Bill relating to Southern Ireland. He added that here was a lamentable state of affairs, which made this measure one of urgency/ in order to give the Free State Provisional Government full legal power to deal with disorder.

THE BELFAST SNIPING. LONDON, Feb. 15. The sniping continues in Belfast. Many of the snipers are mere boys. This week’s casualty list includes 27 killed and. 100 wounded. BONAR. LAW AND ULSTER. LONDON, Feb. Mr Bonar Law, speaking in Glasgow, ■ said that some parts of Ireland were not far removed from anarchy. Ulster was like a powder mine, where an explosion niight occur at any moment. He thought the British Government had made a great mistake in interfering with the boundaries in Ulster, which it had set up without Ulster’s consent. A mid cheers and some interruptions .Mr Bonar Law said he thought they could send the following message to Ulster:—“We don’t intend to supportyon in anything that’s wrong; but you ran rely upon the wholehearted support of the people of this country in continuing to seek your rights that Parliament ha.s given you.” DE VALERA’S WORK. flfe LONDON, February 15. Mr Fjiimonn de Valera, when inter- -•*- viewed said he would refuse to reply to the charge that any coup d’etat was being planned. Mr de Valera said: “Mr Collins should lie asked what he means!” Possibly it was the c-ase of a prentice hand at its first “German plot”, or perhaps, it was merely a little appeal for sympathy. Mr de Valera added: “My work is to retrieve the Irish nation what it has momentarily last. It can be done!”