THE IRISH PROBLEM.

Hokitika Guardian, 1 August 1922, Page 2

THE IRISH PROBLEM.

IUBTRALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION. VIEWS OF IRELAND. LONDON. July 31. Mr W. Jeffries, writing in the “Daily Mail” utters a warning against an expectation that the fall of Cork will spell a settlement of the Irish question. The Irish question, like ill-health, will only dissipate gradually and insensibly. The Republican aim is by a policy of perpetual continuous interference in the civil life and business of the country by minor raids, burnings and snipings to fatigue the hostile majority of the Irish people into an acceptance of the Republican programme for the sake of peace and ransoming of the country from ruin; also to fatigue the English people into washing their hands of the problem. This plan has very little to do with the war proper. Troops can do something against it and the police more, but only tbe people at large can bring it to naught. Only when the people themselves turn round aiid expel the rebels will the Free State take shape as an edifice. The troops may lay the foundation, hut only the public can build.

BATTLE FRONT NEWS. LONDON, July 30. • News from the Irish bnttlefront indicates that the Free Staters are surely, if slowly, completing their task of enforcing peace. The cost of success is nevertheless heavy. It has been especially so during the week-end, when the Free Staters lost several useful officers, including Commandants MacCilitain and Collissen, who were ambushed near Marlborough, while racing to the assistance of some Free Staters Who were stacked by an overwhelming tony of Rebels. Twenty eight were captured, and they possessed dum-dums and explosive ammunition. An official Free State bulletin states: ’ine Free Staters captured an important line along the Maigne R,iver from the Shannon to ChnrleVillc, making a Rebel sronghold at Kilmailock untenable. The Rebels are rdmittedly strongest in this area, they have mustered there the best fighting material. Limerick’s communications have been again cut off. The Free Staters are now attacking Cashel, whore the fighting is heavy. The Rebels, have beeil evacuated from Atlnnca. They hold only Kilrush lit County Clare. Their lieadquarers are now iii the bleak Clare mountains. A majority of their lenders in Galway are in gaol.. The Free Staters have recovered all County Gal%'ay south of the railway from Ballinasloe to Galway.

CARDINAL LOGITE. LONDON. July 30. Cardinal Logue has threatened to ex* commlinicate the whole town of Dundalk. unless what lie terms a disgraceful plunder and murder campaign there ceases immediately. .