THE IRISH PROBLEM.

Hokitika Guardian, 23 May 1922, Page 2

THE IRISH PROBLEM.

tCJaTHALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOC*-WON further outrages. LONDON, May 21. Snipers continue busily in Belfast. Each outrage is followed promptly by ferocious acts of reprisals. A snipejy stationed outside, a Catholic Chapel, shot a worshipper when He was leaving. Five armed men overcame the watchman 1 in a corporation depot, at the Shortstrand, set fire to the building and flung bombs., blowing off the roof. MORE MURDERS. (Received this day at 9.50 a.m.) LONDON, May 22. A Belfast telegram states the reign of terror continues. Twaddele, an Ul- .. ster Parliamentarian and prominent Orangeman was assassinated in the street to-day within fifty yards of his shop. The assailants escaped. A most powerful infernal machine, charged with high explosives, was discovered in the cable box of the Corn

Market. ~ Exhead Constable Ballaiitine R.I.C. was shot dead on Sunday at Raphoe. in the presence of his family. Bnllantine only returned home on Saturday after the disbandment, in order to remove his family and furniture out of the Irish Free State. THE IRISH TREATY. A PRESS OPINION. (Received this day at 9.50 a.m.) ■ LONDON, May 21

The “Obesrver” says the Irish Treaty is in graver danger than at any timesince it was signed. In effect, the agreement- is nearly a complete surrender of the pro-Treaty to anti-Treaty party. The main issues have been shirked. The price of Sinn Fein unity is silencing the people’s voice. . No opposition has a chance against Sinn Fein. • 'I Lie new coalition has artistically stereotyped the present position in such a way that the majority of an electorate must be stifled. Either the coalition will hold together on the basis of a renewed united hostility to Britain and Lister or it is a more grotesque sham than the Ardfheis agreement of February. In either case, the Irish people have suffered a betrayal/ We fear the future of'lreland has been sacrificed to the interests of party. We fear that Mr Collins is not big enough and that :.e has found the risk of war with the North a more comfortable risk for the Sinn Fein, than an assertion of democracy for the South of Ireland.

THE “TIMES” VIEW. “ THE TIMES ” SERVICE (Received this day at 9.50 a.m.) LONDON, May 21. The “Times” in a leader, commenting on the Irish agreement, says no government in Ireland can be estabI shed on a permanent basis, unless it will conform to the principles of the •Peace Treaty. In view of the new agreement the Parliament and people of England aie entitled to a prompt definite explanation of an event that has not been explained. It appears to men-■ ace the only foundations whereon the final Anglo-Irish settlement is practic-, able.