THE IRISH PROBLEM.

Hokitika Guardian, 1 June 1922, Page 2

THE IRISH PROBLEM.

AUSTRALIAN ANb N:jS. CABLE ASSOC’i^nOft. traffic Meld up. LONDON, MAy .30. The Ulster liave held up th e traffic Strabane and Lifford, and the rifle fire in the Stra bane streets ean be heard for miles. The populace are fleeing from the pLce and the business houses are closed. Many houses also in Lifford have b-cn sacked.

Tlie 1.R.A., however, are now sendittg heavy reinforcements there. Claybridge has been blown up by bombs. There is kidnapping of Unionists in country districts.

ANGLO-IRISH DEADLOCK

London, May ao. According to the “Daily Chronicle” (a Coalition organ), the present conversations between the British Government and tlie Sinn Fein delegates in London have resulted in a deadlock. It says, Mr Churchill to-day will point out in Parliament the gravity of the new situ- . ation. The British Government stands for the Irish Treaty. The Free Staters claim tlie treaty lias not been violated by their pact with Mr De Valera. The "Chronicle” declares that obviously the Irish Treaty is violated by the agreement with Mr De Valera, as . te Irish elections arranged for June under the pact are not the elections proscribed by the, London Irish Treaty. _ The deadlock, for the moment, 18 complete, though the British Govern- " "" nicnt will again discuss the iSsuefe.Wltlt the Irishmen, iiddsS the .“ChrdhUiljh’ Tlie Government of Britain considers it undesirable to precipitate li crisis by any hasty action, and will exercise patience, as was shown during .the n-gotiations for peace. If the Free Staters show no spirit of compromise, it concludes, a crisis cannot be delayed beyond the Irish June elections. OPEN AVAR. LONDON, May 30. Open warfare continues on Ulster boi tier, between Free Staters atld . tlie Ulsterites. Tlie former aie reported to be preparing for a general advance on Strabanc and Derry.