THE IRISH PROBLEM.

Hokitika Guardian, 3 April 1922, Page 2

THE IRISH PROBLEM.

IdhTlUl.lAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOOI..ITON y* THE IRISH BILL. LONDON, March 31, - During consideration of the House of Lords amendment to the Irish Free State Bill, Hon W. Churchill referring to the Irish Conference paid a tribute to the statesmanlike courage and earnest goodwill displayed at the most critical juncture in Ireland’s fortunes by Sir James Craig and his colleagues. The value of the agreement could not be over estimated. By taking all the measures humanely possible to bring about a cessation of religious partisan warfare, Ulster gave the Treaty and J Provisional Government a far greater chance of success than would have ever otherwise been possible. shis hope of unity and co-operation had undoubtedly opened out to the Irish, in all parts of Ireland, prospects of a peaceful progress and future for their country. The two Governments • in Ireland, by arriving-at an agreement bad rendered a supreme service, not only to Ireland, but to the whole British Empire. In consequence of this ilctiotl, our pledges and obligations to secure Ulster’S rights under the Treaty are redoubled. Ulster’s position will be strengthened before the whole world by her earnest desire to create peace and goodwill. The Government could not consent to any alteration of the Treaty, however •small, even if it felt the Treaty was ' l ~ in some respects deFecttive. These de-. fects were not comparable in importance with the danger that was beginning to lttair the symmetry of the posiion. Those wild arts fighting for the Treaty were loath to erieburfigd optimism. A long, -weary period of anxiety and uncertainty was before the country. He had complete confidence in faith ana: good will of the iiisn signatories, but less confidence in their powers to discharge fully, ulut they undoubtedly desire. I Mr Churchill said, speaking absolutely Irankly, that he felt it better 10 lace the facts quite brutally, and not nourish illusions. The Irish Free State, white still in the cradle was exposed to deadly- foes, who would not Hesitate to use any means, however cruel, treacherous and mad, to destroy it. He might have cause in the next icw- weeks to use grave words about some aspects of the occurrences in several parts of Ireland. Captain Craig assured the House (hat Ulster would do all possible to carry out the agreement. Mr Devlin believed the new policy in Ireland would succeed. Lord Hugh Cecil was pessimistic, as the agreement had no driving force behind it, and was unlikely to settle tilt l Irish qii&siott.

Mr Whdgewood voiced the Labour Party's approval of the ftgrenient, Mr Jdlni Ward said Government r should! make it clear that it was responsible for the carrying out of the Treaty. The delay had given de Val* era a chance of influencing opinion against the document. Mr Churchill replied that the Provisional Government was responsible for the delay. They knew their own - business best, and it remained to be seen whether the course taken was not

a right one. The House .then considered the l ords amendment to the Free State Bill seriatim. A Government amendment relating to Ulster being allowed a month, for contracting out, was accepted, hut they disagreed with all the other amendments.

Sir Haar Greenwood announced the disbandment of the R.I.A. in Southern Ireland would commence to-day and that the Northern Ireland force would he disbanded as soon as possible.

ULSTER PRESS OPINION. “The Northern Whig” says the Catholic minority are now enabled to show, once for all, that Catholicism a lid Sinu Feinism are not synonymous. It is obvious Griffiths and Collins have signed an agreement in order to he in a better position to concentrate, against De Valera. What is doubtful is not their good faith, hut their power to control the T.R.A. mutineers.

lEISH BILL PASSED. LONDON, March 31. The Irish Free State Bill has received the Royal, assent.

Mr Griffiths, interviewed, said if the ’’V document signed last night as the outcome of the London Conference is carried out in the spirit of the signatories, it will give us a united Ireland which every honest, sensible Irishman, whatever his creed, desires. » Dublin and Belfast newspapers joyfully hail the agreement. The “Irish Times” says: Th e terms represent a large-minded courageous effort to remove causes of strike between North and South } and lay foundations for national settlement. Good Irishmen will thank God for this agreement.

The “Northern Whig” says that the Catholic minority are now enabled to show once and for all that Catholicism and Sinn Feinism are no? synonymous. It is obvious that Griffiths and CollinS signed the agreement in order to be in a better position to concentrate against De Valera What is doubtful is not their good faith, but power to control the I.R.A. mutineers. ■LORDS’ AMENDMENT LONDON, March 31. The House of Lords decided not to insist on its, amendment to the Irish Free State Bill, which then immediately received the Royal assent. republicans in north. Some Irish recalcitrants held up a Londonderry train at Newtown-Cun-ningham, and burned some newspapers. They also ejected the Free Slaters fro the Oardoagb-Morville bar-: racks and commandeered a Hotel at Bunerana, the largest in Donegal. IRISH NEWS. Received This Day at 8 a.m.) ' LONDON, April 1. The Irish Free State assumed full powers te-day, hut the Provisional Government confronts an immediate crisis, It is reported the Republicans con- .

template secretly mobilising for camp to-morrow, consequent all troops loyal the the Free State were assembled at the respective headquarters to-iiight.

Ulster is still without peace. Large Irish Republican forces at midnight on Friday attacked a party of Ulster police in the mountains district, near Cooktown, East Tyronne. A running fight ensued, the rebels being driven off, losing one killed and several wounded. Commander Ackland, of the Royal Irish Constabulary was wounded.

Armed men raided Claremorris post office and stole £IOOO sterling at the revolvers point.

PARADE IN DUBLIN. (Received This Dav at 12.2.3 p.m.) LONDON, April 2. A parade of De Valera followers and Dublin Brigade of the Republican army was held at Smithfield market. Two thousand attended, armed with rifles and revolvers, also representatives of the women’s clubs and boy scouts, though the official section of the Republican Army, issued a proclamation forbidding the demonstration.

MURDER AND REPRISALS. LONDON, April 2

'There was a terrible series of tragedies in Stanhope Street area, Belfast; Consnble Turner was shot while on patrol duty and killed instantly. A special constable with him was wounded.

A great deal of firing followed, in which four persons were shot dead in their own houses and two children wounded.

A jmother, with an eight months child, was crossing a road when a bullet killed the baby and wounded the mother. All the victims were Catholics except Turner. There was a series of hold-ups bv civilians in various parts of the city. In .one case, six men raided a house, but the occupier produced a rifle, whereupon the raiders left, but returned with reinforcements and took the rifle away.

A REPRISAL. 'Received This Day at 11.30 a.m.) LONDON, March 2. The death of four men followed on the murder of Turner within half an hour. Turner was the nineteenth policeman to lie assassinated in a month. An angry crowd immediately raided the Sinn Fein quarter and entered the house of a man named Walsh, who was in bed with two children. Walsh was shot and the children wounded in the firing. Tho other victims were killed in their kitchens.

AN IRISH CRISIS. LONDON, April 2

There is every indication that a crisis is imminent within the Irish Republican Army, the expected mobilisation of which has been ordered by sections by the officer commanding the Dublin ILigade, to show the strength of the mutinous element. General Headquarters has replied, warning the men what mobilisation means. Tbev have the choice of defeating the will of the Irish people, involving the suppression of the Dail Eirann or of defending the people and their own Government. Out of tli 1 crisis, it is hoped in some quarters that. ,a reconciliation of North and South will he facilitated.

Stephen Gwynne writing in the “Observer” says: “It is now clear that if there be a war de Valera will be responsible. If sectarian passions are kept at fever heat, lie will be the cause. It should not be left to two sections of the Irish Republican army to fight the matter. It concerns all Ireland, expeeially ex-service men. The “Observer” comments editorially that south and Ulster alike have had in the last few weeks an object lesson of the meaning and consequences of De Valera’s creed. The “Sunday Times” expresses the trust that Collins, equally with Craig, will deal with crazy Republicans with a firm hand. The paper points out that the formal inception of The Free State makes the Provisional Government i esponsible.