THE IRISH PROBLEM.

Hokitika Guardian, 24 May 1922, Page 2

THE IRISH PROBLEM.

IUHTKAI'IAN and n.z. cable association SURRENDER TO I)E VALERA. LONDON, May 22. The London “Daily Chronicle,” after alleging a war against Ulster, says: “The only justification for the Free Stale Party’s agreement with Mr De Valera is that they should use their undivided influence with Sinn Fein to discontinue war against the North, and called to heel the unruly Republican Army. British Ministers take a serious view of the mysterious deal with the Republicans, and many believe Mr Collins surrendered to Mr De Valera. If so, a clash on the Free State constitution will lie inevitable.” Mr Joseph Devlin complained that this was a one-sided statement of the conditions in Ulster and he said that several Roman Catholics nave been murdered.

Mr Churchill replied: “I have not at:einp f eil to conceal the obvious fact that the murders anil counter-murders are being done by both religious sects, hut the principal fact during the weekend has been violent attempts to. crea‘c outrage and disorder in what hitherto was eonsidore da quiet portion of the North of Ireland. Replying to Mr Lambert, Mr Churchill said' the British War Office was not responsible for law and order in the North of Ireland, but the War Office was responsible for its defence.

BATTALIONS FOR ULSTER. LONDON, May 22,

Mr Churchill, in the House of Commons, announced that the signatories to the Irish Treaty would confer during the week-end with the Imperial Govern- ,, — ment. He also announced that the Governn*i'iit was co-operating with the Northern Parliament in restoring order. Ho said that four additional battalions of troops had been landed in Ulster on Saturday, and further reinforcements jirtri ammunition would be sent if considered necessary. Mr Churchill said that after the con-f-relic’ proposed at the week-end, he hoped to make a statement to the House. Meanwhile lie trusted the House would refrain from premature or hasty judgment upon the Irish parties’ agreement, either in a favourable or an unfavourable sense. He went on to detail the murder of Twaddle in Belfast, and outrages organised by Republicans in various parts of the six Ulster countries. He said he had every ' confidence the Northern Government would continue to grapple with its serines task of restoring order. Lord Londonderry, he said, was conferring with the Government regarding the arms and equipment of a police force, which H’o Northern Government were organism x. It was the British Government’s intention to support the Ulster Government in every way in its power. SOLDIER SETTLERS NEGLECTED. SYDNEY, May 23. ’ One of the most pressing problems .. itli which the new Government of New "outli Wales is faced is that- of the . .-thing discontent that exists on some ,<•' the soldier settlements. The men a•• ke sweeping complaints regarding t'*o alleged inefficiency of the official administration, the broken promises, t' e want of necessary funds to tide over H-,,:- earlier stages of settlement and to develop the holdings, and other what :ie called remediable troubles. Con- - .-'durable numbers of the settlers have abandoned their holdings, being dis- - ~s.ed with the treatment, and with t’ o barren outlook. Others are threatj < ning to leave. A bad season has add,H| to the difficulties of the position. ■ colonel Chaffey is visiting the settlee.its, and inquiring into the complaints with a view to Government action for removing the causes of disI . onteiit. CRAIG’S MANIFESTO. LONDON, May 22. : Regarding Ulster, Sir J. Craig, Preni„r. lias issued a manifesto regarding - v i at fie terms the foul assassination of Tv. addell. He was one of the most able ami courageous members of the .Northern Parliament. He states:—“l have ■•ailed a special, meeting of the cabinet, • li.l of all the authorities who are dealing with law and order. Such an event demands swift retribution. Mr Twoddell was murdered solely because of his loyalty to the Empire and for ’ is devotion to the cause of Ulster, but liis colleagues will carry on. Some peop'e may imagine this horrible crime demands their unlicensed retaliation. Let justice and retribution rest with tbe higher authority. Let the people rally round our Established Government and prevent our province plunging into •i welter of crime and bloodshed. I appeal to all sections of the community to exercise every restraint, and to beat themselves like' Ulster men, and show the world at large that, while filled with unspeakable indignation, they remain unshaken, undismayed, and self controlled.” ' _ .. “I will address the Ulster Parliament to-morrow. The public will realise the Government plans sufficiently comprehensively to meet any eventual,tyLONDON PAPER ON ULSTER? LONDON, May 22 The “Daily Chronicle” in a leading article, entitled “Ulster Peril,” says: “The murder of Twaddell, also the burnings and looting in Counties in Antrim ’ and Down have revealed a new phase of an organised war against Ulster. .The agreement between Collins and Craig has broken down. This is owing to a failure bv the Provisional Government to impose it’s will on the Republican Army. Murders and destruction during the week-end are sinister acts of war. The Southern. Government must take u c ssarv measures. Griffiths and Cql- | n. must condemn these outrages with unmistakable frankness. ' SINN FEIN ARRESTS. I . (Received this day at 9.60 a.m.) LONDON, May 23. The Police and military carried out night rams in Belfast and six Ulster Counties and arrested fifteen hundred Sinn Eein officers. Those arrested in Ulster include all persons known to have executive authority.

Lord Herbert Van Tempest’s Sftat near Ashendall, on Antrim Coast Jlas been burned down.