TABLE NEWS.

Hokitika Guardian, 11 December 1922, Page 2

TABLE NEWS.

THE IRISH PROBLEM.

AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION. IRISH EXECUTIONS. iIORY O’CONNOR Shßt. LONDON, December 9. Following on the shooting of a member of the Dail Eireami (Hales) by rebels, the Irish Free State Government has executed two further rebel leaders. They are Rory O’Connor and Mellows, who were both captured at Four Courts in Dublin last July. Both were court-martialled during the night on a charge of having been in unlawful possession of arms. Sentences of death were imposed, and these were carried out at Mountjoy Prison this morning. Rory O’Connor was one of the most prominent lenders of the 1.R.A., atid was responsible for the seizure of the Four Courts. -Mellows was formerly a member of the Dail Eireann. He participated in the 1916 rising, after which he escaped to America, where* he was one of the most bitter opponents of the Treaty.

An official announcement states that these executions were a reprisal for the assassination of Males, and also a solemn warning to those who are nowengaged in a conspiracy of assassination against the representatives of the Irish people.

The Irish Free State Army Council has issued a proclamation to the effect that all persons found in the possession of arms and ammunition will he immediately court-martialled and sentences, including death, will be carried out immediately.

EXECUTIONS CONDEMNED. LONDON, December 9. In the Dail Eireann Free State Parliament, the action of the Government in executing Republicans was debated. Oil a motion to adjourn, the Leader of the Labour Party, Mr Johnston, said that the rebels’ assassination of Hales was a dastardly thing, hut the executions were most foul,“bloody, and unnatural. The Government, be said, bad announced apparently with pride that they had taken four prisoners and murdered them as a reprisal for the assassination. Personally, he believed that the Government had killed the new State at its birth.

General Mulcaby, ill replying, said that the executions were ordered liecause there were forces more vicious and more insidious than those Britain ever employed now working against representative government in Ireland. The Army Executive, he said, had expressed to tlie Government, the need for exceptionally drastic, action. Mr Gavan Duffy (liis voice choking with emotion) asked when this “Corsican Vendetta” was going to end. Mr O’Higgins (Home Secretary) said: “We have acted coldly and deliberately. after looking the whole situation in the eye. You cannot meet this situation with a measuring tape.” A* certain number of Irishmen, he said, were parroting this county. “As for vindictiveness,” he declared. “Great Heavens, one of these men was a. friend of mine.”

Deputy O’Shannon, a Labourite! made a violent speech, and concluded: “Ah, if Britain would only come back!” Mr Cosgrave, the Prime Minister wound up a three hours’ debate with an address. Then the Government’s action was approved on a division by 39 votes to 14. SHOOTING OF HALES. LONDON, December 8. Mr Cosgrave, in the Dail, announced the assassination of Mr Hales and the wounding of Mr O’Malley, DeputySpeaker. As Hales and O’Malley left their hotel in a hackney car, several men who had been waiting for them outside opened revolver fife.' Hales received a liuHot in the jaw, and another in the right breast. O’Malley was hit in the hack and right arm. The assailants scattered and ran. The murder of Hales caused a sensation iii Dublin. Hales and O’Malley were about to enter a ear, when the murderers opened fire. O’Matley, supporting Hales, cried to the driver to drive to Jervis Street Hospital. Hales died a minute after admission. A bullet was extracted from O’Malley, who is not in a critical condition. A tender carrying British troops, reached the scene directly after the shots were fired, and they pursued the murderers, who fled. One of the officers leaped out of the tender, and dashed after the fugitives, firing a revolver, hut without result. The murderers escaped in the maze of streets. Hales was a close friend of the late Michael Collins. Hales’ brother, Tom was a leader of the Irregulars, and was taken prisoner only a fortnight ago. COMPLETED BY GOVERNMENT. LONDON, December 8. ’Pile Irish Free State Senate has been completed. The Dail Eiieann chose 30 nominees. They in.li d' the following: —Six merchants, six farmers, four Labourites, two doctors, two engineers, one schoolmaster and two women. Out of the President’s 30 nominees, 15 have been selected by lot. They are to sit for 12 years. The remainder sit for .six years.

A TRAIN OUTRAGE. LONDON, Dee. 9. Some rebels committed a dastardly train outrage at Dublin. As a night train steamed into T.iffey Junction, 20 youths, armed with revolvers, compelled the passengers in the front car riages to get to the rear of the train. Then they ordered the driver and firemen from the engine. The rebels the:: sprinkled the empty carriages with petrol, and set them on fire, without uncoupling the rear compartments. They then started the engine, the carriages being now ablate, and the ter-ror-stricken passengers, including five women, believed they would be burnt alive, and though the train was fullv under way, they all jumped for their lives, several being badly hurt. The uncontrolled train fortunately found Gto inints against it, and was diverted intw a goods yard, where it was brought to a standstill. j