THE IRISH PROBLEM.

Hokitika Guardian, 31 July 1922, Page 2

THE IRISH PROBLEM.

AUSTRALIAN AND N. 7.. CABLE ASSOCIATION. IRISH OFFICIAL REPORT. LONDON.. July 28. The Irish Government publicity Department has issued a statement that the Nationalists’ rapid progress west and in Munster, raises tile hope that tiie Irregulars’ resistance will he broken within a fortnight, that a further postponement of Parliament will he unnecessary. Five members of the Ministry and sixteen other members of the Dail Eireann are actively engaged in the suppression of disorder.

FREE STATE REFUSES . ARMISTICE. LONDON, July 29. Tne “Daily Telegraph's” Dublin correspondent states: —“Masses of tlie Irish people who are sick of bloodshed and disorder welcome the Free State Government’s decision to reject the Cork Irregulars armistice proposal. The Government is confident of success against the rebels. It announces the Dail Eireann will not he postponed beyond August 12. The Government is planning the establishment of a commission to -deal with all compensation matters arising fi-crh the civil war, including the reconstruction of Dublin. The Nationalists have captured Glenavngh Castle, in Donegal, containing looted goods, arms, ammunition, and a printing plant which was used to print the Irregulars’ war bulletins.

REPUBLICAN DICTATORSHIP. LONDON, July 28.

“An Irishman,” from Mayo, writes to the “Star”:—“We complained and fought the Black and Tans under British rule, but the suffering under De Valera’s green tans is much greater. A train whistle has not been heard in Connaught for three weeks, nor has there been telegraphic or telephonic cOnlmiitiication, and the postal ser-

vices arc suspended. Newspapers are controlled by extremists. The roads were made impassable by felled trees, trenches and barricades, which the population, ruder a throat of murder were compelled to construct. All motors. trucks, petrol, oil, bicycles, and even spades, wore commandeered; and shops looted. Thus the Irregulars have amassed food, clothing, and other stores, leaving the population partially fnniincd. Nine tenths of the, people are opposed to Do Valera’s gun-men. but the gunmen alone possess guns.”

• “It is impossible to overthrow the dictatorship until the Regulars gradually liberate the oppressed counties. The fairs and markets have ceased. Our new masters have proclaimed mar. tial law and curfew. The plain truth in these, forces have degenerated into gangs of robbers.

FREE STATE REFUSES PARLEY, LONDON, July 29.

The Irish Free State has rejected the Irregulars’ armistice proposals, and is demanding their unconditional surrender.