THE IRISH PROBLEM.

Hokitika Guardian, 12 April 1922, Page 2

THE IRISH PROBLEM.

UNITED SERVICE TELEGRAMS. REPUBLICAN ACTIVITIES. LONDON, April 10. ▲ When Judge Cooke attended the Lif ford Courthouse to open the Donegal sessions, he found that a party of armed Irish Republicans were in possession. They refused him admission. Two armed wometi held up a Donegal train as Cresslough and seized aiid burned the Belfast and Derry newspapers which it carried. While Mr Gavin Duffy (Free State Minister) was addressing a meeting at Tullamore. the Irish Republicans rushed his platform, and overturhed the press tables. They seized Mr Duffy and dragged him from the platform, amid cries of “Up De Valera !” “Up the Republic!” Some .Sinn Feiners wrecked the Ah. bert Street Presbyterian Church in Belfast and smashed the communion plate so that the church is now useless for service.

COLLINS’ FEARS. LONDON, April 11

The “Daily Express’ ’ Belfast correspondent says he learns authoritatively that Mr Collins has requested Britain to retain the remainder of the British troops in the south of Ireland, where the position is serious. Tt is stated Mr de Valera may possibly declare an Irish Republic during Easter, on the anniversary of the first Sinn Fein rebellion.

IRISH HAPPENINGS. {Received This Day at 9.5 a.m.) LONDON, April 11. An armed body of the Irish Republican Army suppressed the Clonmel sessions function as a, free;' State Court, despite the Judges and Counsel’s protests.

Ulster Government has issued a pro clamation 'prohibiting anyone except Crown forces, and certain specified special constables, from possessing arms.

Donegal railways have notified that owing to the conditions of the. country. they cannot guarantee that trains will reach their destination, and disclaim ajll responsibility for delays, injuries to passengers, or losses of luggage and merchandise. Hon W. Churchill in the Commons denied emphatically, rumours that plans for the evacuation of Ireland bad been changed. The specials eapured at Clones liad been released.