THE IRISH PROBLEM.

Hokitika Guardian, 25 May 1922, Page 3

THE IRISH PROBLEM.

AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION. WHAT WE HAVE, WE HOLD. r- .. (Received this day at 9.50 a.m.) , LONDON, May 23. Sir J. Craig in the Northern Parliament, said the whole Irish situation had been changed hy the Collins-De \ alera pact. Ulster was now prepared to meet what had been arranged behind the scenes. The immediate result ‘of the pact was that Ulster would not have any Boundary Commission, under any circumstances whatever. What we have we hold, and will hold despite all oumlunations and opposition. As for the future, Ulster would require military if there was an invasion. The most satisfactory arrangements had been completed with the British Government. They had only to ask for more regiments and they would get them. Although I am prepared to treat with the Southern representatives who are with- ' ' in the ambit of Empire, I am not prepared to treat with a composite Government whereon one half is practically Republican, while the other half is represented by men whose view is that the Treaty is a step towards a Republic. The figures of the Sinn Fein arrests were exaggerated. In the round up today between three and four hundred were taken into custody. Major General Solly Flood has been appointed to command the entire Ulster Constabulary. THE IRISH COUP. (Received this day at 9.50 a.m.) LONDON, May 24. The Collins-De Valera pact, coupled with the Northern Government’s energetic action against the campaign of murder, have resulted in a crisis of which the consequences defy analysis. The arrests of Sinn Feiners continue, t “ but a number of the wanted men are now fleeing to the Free State. Ulster Constabulary bad laid their plans so carefully that not a bint of the coup reached those wanted. A big encircling movement ■commenced throughout the six Counties at four in the morning. Houses were rapidly and efficiently visited ,and practically every Sinn Fein officer on the list was arrested. The proclaimed organisations are Republican Army, Republican Brotherhood, Irish Volunteers, Fiannn (which is a women’s and youth’s society), and Cum annamban. Persons who remain members are likely to prosecution. Ganron Towers, Cushendall, which has been burned belonging to Hon \\. Churchill, and was inherited from Vane Tempest, a year ago. An aeroplane bomb, thrown in from the street exploded in Gaiety Theatre. Belfast, hut little damage was done. A CABINET MEETING. ’ (Received this day at 9.50 a.m.) LONDON. May 24. I , Cabinet members take the gravest view of the new political situation in ] Iceland. Hoti Lloyd George. Mr Chamberlain. , Lord Birkenhead. Hon Churchill. Honj Worthington Evans and Lord Green-, wood held a hurriedly arranged conference. frequently calling in General , Mat-ready and other administrators dur- | jug the plot eedings. the character <>f . , which, though obviously most import- , ant, did not transpire. I

SINN FEIN ASPECTS. (Received this day at 9.50 a.m.) LONDON. Mav 23. 4 1 ' The “Daily Telegraph’s” Dublin correspondent savs Tuesday’s meeting of Sinn Fein Convention, elucidated some aspects of the Collins-De \ alera pact. It is evident the Imperial Government will he confronted with a demand from the whole forces of tie- Had for an acknowledgement of Ireland, not only as a. Sovereign Stat** hut an Independent Republic. Do Valera showed there will he no freedom of election candidates who stand against members of the panel. They wdl lie treated as enemies. A significant passage in the I speech was that conditions here in the . South prevent us from concent ratine on the position in the north-eastern corner. Collins said If this agreement imperials the Treaty, we have made an agreement which brings stable conditions, and we most face what these stable conditions will enable us to face. Collins continued that at present six Counties are ma’-in" the last desperate stand for their ascendency. If thev are confronted with the I’nited National voice of all Ireland, which thinks as we do. Ulster cannot i-nore that voice. In sneaking with that national voice! it does no* matter whether «e support the T-eotv or not. We support a.nttTV'fti*ion. The tore'vpst need is unity if «•» a-e to fa- the situation in the North-east. w» l! nrt"d to f»/ ,p that, and also unitedly to face nnv situation that, femes to ns from outside, or from nnv other (martors < cheers'). The “D-ily Tpl'frnli” snvs Coffins speech lofu-es no doubt as to the real objeet of the new agreement. 1 n v 9()\. Mav 24. Armed m°n seized a t'-amcnr in Falls Rond. Belfast, sprinkled it with petrol and burned it. ULSTER’S BUDGET. (Received this dav at 12.25 p.m.) x OvDOV,0 v DOV, M-v ‘-’l. The Northern t*nrl'ntn"Ot’s fust Budget .’estimates the revenue at r 13.708.000 and shows a surplus of C 119.f)00. No new taxation is proposed. Seven-eighths of the taxes were imposed hy the Imperial Government. The expenditure on special constabulary is estimated at two millions. CABINET AND IRELAND. lON DON. May 23. A “Dailv Mail” message says the Cabinet Committee for Ireland considered the Cnllons-De Valera agreement and decided while thev would make every effort to come to an accommodation. the real issue ennno he shirked. The British must face the responsibility frankly. let Collins and his associates realise there is a point beyond which the Government cannot go. This view is supported hy military authorities.