THE IRISH PROBLEM.

Hokitika Guardian, 26 February 1923, Page 2

THE IRISH PROBLEM.

ATJSTiIAUAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION. REPORTED CAPTURE. LONDON, Feb. 23. It is reported that detectives arrested five of the principal Irregulars at an Army Council meeting in Drumeondra. The authorities arc most reticent regarding the names. CAPTURE OF REPUBLICANS. LONDON, Feb. 23. The Free State headquarters confirm the capture of Sean Fitzpatrick, acting officer commanding Dublin Brigade of Republicans. Altogether five leaders wore captured. Detectives arrested over twenty men in Dublin. Seven men were taken in a raid to-day in which Fitzpatrick and two men were charged at Birkenhead with being in possession of ammunition. The men were seen leaving a tramcar and as it was known a boat was leaving for Ireland tliev were followed to it. Deters lives then searched them and fouqs seventeen hundred rounds of pistol ammunition in their belts. Mr Cosgrave’s Secretary also denies the arrest of De Valera. FRESH FISCAL DUTIES. LONDON, Eel). 24. The Free State Revenue Commissioners have promulgated regulations under winch customs duty will be collected, from the first of April, on all dutiable commodities coming from outside countries, including Britain, and Northern Ireland. Tt will he necessary to establish a customs frontier, which will temporarily be placed along the boundary between the six countries and the Free State.

Farm produce will he exempt. It is reported the I Ister commercialists are not perturbed. Ulster's trade with the Free State is now only ten per cent of the total. The capture of Do Valera and Lynch is officially denied but Sean I* ltzpatrick is a prisoner.

REBELS CAPTURED. LONDON ,Feb. 24. Armed men burned the mansion of the Earl of Bessborough at Piltowu, County Kilkenny.

The arrest of some Dublin conspirators was of a most dramatic nature. Having seated themselves in a small upper room of h house in llojec Terrace, the plotters discussed the failure of the recent attack on Jury’s Hotel, and the desirableness of executing a number of rebel troops tor cowardice. Detectives crept upstairs, slipped noiselessly into the room, which was dimly lit, pointed revolvers at the plotters, and ordered them to put their hands up. The order was obeyed without resistance. . Sean Fitzpatrick’s companions alleged the lenders included some small money-lenders, a scavenger and a sausage maker, all of whom pursued their prosaic occupations by day, and plotted iiy night.

REBEL ATTACKS. LONDON, Feb._2!. Rebels attacked various military posts in Dublin last night, including a hall and telephone exchange. One soldier was killed and several civilians were wounded. ~ , LONDON, Feh. 24 Damage by fire at the Earl of Bessborough’s mansion is estimated at £30,000. Earl DesarL’s residence m Kilkenny lias also been burned down. BELFAST REVIVAL. LONDON. Fell. 24. The Belfast religious revival is giving the city a new prosperity. All Ireland is ringing with reports of the revival. The business men are receiving conscience money daily. Bad debts are vanishing. Footballers are submitting to moral uplift, They refuse to play on any of the grounds that are notorious for unseemly sjjeetators. A hoys’ brigade has been converted on masse by ail address during diill. They marched in fours to a meeting

place. The women are refusing to draw unemployment doles. Many men are abandoning lucratuo, , but ethically dubious, jobs. John Redmond, the rector of Ballymaoarrett, says ho is training the reformed gunmen to become Sunday school teachers.