THE IRISH PROBLEM.

Hokitika Guardian, 13 June 1922, Page 2

THE IRISH PROBLEM.

AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOOi«fION.

WEEK END HAPPENINGS. LONDON, June 11. Six incendiary fires occurred at Belfast during the week end. T* It is reported the Republicans are preparing a hospital preparatory to an attack on Derry. The British are believed to be con- X tcmplnting occupying the salient of East Donegal in order to protect trains traversing the Free State, on route to Derry. Raiders stole two hundred tins of petrol from a train, between Derry and Rtrabane.

IRISH SETTLEMENT REPORTED : . ~ LONDON, June 12. The ‘-Daily News” lobbyist- states: Mr Lloyd George has invited-the representatives of the Southern Irish- Union, ists to attend Monday’s conference, which can be taken to indicate an Irish settlement is now practically assured. The “Daily News” well-informed special Dublin correspondent says that he is satisfied that necessity justified. Mr Collins in arranging for the coalition with Mr de Valera. The former found that he could not carry the Irish election decree through' the Dail Eireann, where a defeat would have more gravely affected the treaty than would the Coalition. Mr de Valera, he says, is now believed to he preparing the way for a qualified acceptance by his Party of both the treaty and the constitution, in order that hisfollowers may accept office under the new arrangement. He adds that from the first, the pact has been for. Mr -do Valera a death blow with the left wing of the Irish Republicans.

IRISH. REPRISALS. (Received this day at 8.30 ri.ftt.) LONDON, June i2. A number of Protestant country houses in Westmeath were burned during the week-end, as reprisals for happenings in Belfast. A number of Protestant shops in Mullingar were also wrecked. Armed robbers entered the office of Devine, a business man in Belfast, and ordered him to put his hands up. Devine refused, and was shot dead.