THE IRISH PROBLEM.

Hokitika Guardian, 20 November 1922, Page 2

THE IRISH PROBLEM.

AUBT.ItAI.IAN AND N.Z. CABLE A6BOCiATIU H WARNING TO DISTURBERS. ' LONDON, Nov. 18 It is officially announced that lour young men lravo been executed in Dublin this morning, after a trial by a military Court, for being in possession of revolvers and ammuilition. LONDON, Nov. 18: In the Dail Eireann, General Mulcahy (Minister of Defence) spoke justifying the executions. He said the four men executed were Republicans. He said: “No doubt the news of tlie executions would shock the people, but it was necessary to shock the country into a realisation of what a grave thing it is to take human life.. These four Republicans who had been executed were found in the streets of Dublin, carrying loaded revolvers. He said they were waiting to take the fives of other men.

“We are faced,” declared General Afulcaliy, “with the. task of eradicating such a state of affair's, in which some hundreds of llieh lire daily tryiiig to take the lives of others. The Free State Government is convinced that, unless they take the sternest of measures, they will not throw hack this tide oflawlessness, lust, and loot! live ry man who goes about with a revolver, seeking the lives of others, must face this jfaet; that lie thereby has forfeited his own life.” (Applause). CHILDERS IN DOCK. LONDON, Nov. 18. Erskine Childers’ trial has opened at Portobello Barracks in Dublin. The prisoner is 'represented by counsel. The proceedings arfe private. The charge was that- of being in unlawful possession of an automatic pistol. This charge has concluded. The accused claimed a belligerent status as a Republican prisoner of

The Court over-ruled the objection. Accused’s counsel claimed that, under the International Red Cross, civil prisoners of war were entitled to prisoner-of-war treatment. Childers’ counsel then withdrew from the case. Mr de Valera is appealing on behalf of Childers. He Says: “There Is a crime lil his regard contemplated which will make Irishmeii, tile . whole world wide hang their heads with shame. If Erskine Childers is shot by Irishmen, at England’s bidding, we shall he condemned to be the slaves of slaves. We shall not he loft with an ansVer.” MARY MncSWINEY. LONDON, Nov. 18 Miss Alary AlaeSwmoy is on hungerstrike at Mountjoy Prison. Her sister has at the same time begun n fasting vigil outside the prison, as a protest - against the authorities’ refusal to allow her to see her sister Mary. She says that a hosepipe has been turned on her. Relays of women are now supporting her. AN ULSTER VOTE. LONDON. Nov. 18 In connection with the British general election, the voting for two members in the British House of Commons to represent Fermanagh and Tyrone counties of Ulster constituency, has resulted in the return of Mr Harrison (Irish Nationalist) and Air C. Healy (Sinn Feiner). TRIAL OF CHILDERS. LONDON. Nov 17. Irish rebels report that Childers will be tried for his life to-day, before a new military court,