THE IRISH PROBLEM.

Hokitika Guardian, 16 June 1922, Page 2

THE IRISH PROBLEM.

AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOOI-TION.

ALL IRELAND WATCHING ULSTER LONDON, June 15

The “Daily Chronicle’s” Dublin correspondent states: —“Ireland is little interested in the London negotiations, because nil attention is focussed on the doings in Belfast. The encouraging progress in London, however, has already alleviated the pessimism which has latterly weighed heavily on t:ic public mind of the country. It is expected that the Irish Constitution will he published on Friday, which is the polling day. The Constitution cannot influence the electors. The debate on this constitution in the Provisional Free State Parliament will occupy four or five weeks. “It is becoming, more and more doubtful (adds the correspondent) whether -Mr lie Valera will be a member of the new Government, though it may contain .a subordinate member of his group, as its nominee. The repeated statements of the Sinn Fein leaders, principally those of Mr Collins, indicate that the dualism of the Coalition will hardly appear at all in the new Coalition Government, whose principal function will be to restore order and discipline in Ireland.

ULSTER PLANS. LONDON, June 14. The London “Daily Chronicle’s” correspondent at Dublin says:—Public cpinion. in 26 of the 32 counties of all I,eland is now convinced that an attempt is being made in Belfast to exterminate, or to expel, the Catholic minority in Ulster, who are there unprotected. . . The Northern people’s passions are being inflamed by the fact that there arc now hordes of Catholic refugees who are streaming across the Ulster border into the Free State. The suec Hiring of these refugees is a serious p ihlem.

i border bombardments. 1 LONDON, .Tune 14. i Air Churchill, replying to a question in' the House of Commons as to whether it is intended to hold an enquiry into the action of the British Forces at Pettigo, Belleek, on the Ulster border, wherel.R.A. men were bombarded stated that the British Government- does not intend to hold any enquiry-.

I COMPLETE IRISH SETTLEMENT. I LONDON, June 15. . It is semi-officially announced that an agreement on all points at the J Irish Conference in London has been

! reached. j Air Arthur Griffiths hopes 'to retard to Dublin to-morrow, when Mr Church-

ill will outline the settlement to the

House of Commons. I British Government circles say they j lielieve the Irish Conference has secured a final settlement. It includes provi--1 sion to secure representation in the Free Stale I/gisldturc for the Unionist minority in southern Ireland. It is also understood that Air Chtir-

chill has plainly intimated to Sir James Craig that it was the Northern Government’s duty to have kept order in Belfast in return for Britain’s assistance -given for the safe-guarding of Ulster’s frontier.

I A ROMANTIC ATTACK. 1 LONDON, June 14.

There was a romantic attack made on Kilyleigh Castle, which was built in King John’s reign. It belongs to Colonel Hamilton, who is a brother of the Dowager Marehionness of Duffer, in, both being well-known Ulster Unionists. The castle had been expecting an attack for months. Home ingenious secret defences were laid down by which there was a garrison who instantly were advised in the event of any Sinn Fein Attack. When it Commenced, Colnel Hamilton, who is an old man, led his party of Ulster “special” constables, who then mtjnned the castle battlements. They fired into the darkness. The raiders were surprised, but they responded vigorously in an exchange of volleys and finally the Sinn Feiiiers were beaten off. Their losses are not known.