IRISH AFFAIRS.

Hokitika Guardian, 3 January 1925, Page 3

IRISH AFFAIRS.

— —— 1 r.RRTITEnS Tk LKOKAMH.! GOVERNMENTS TASK. I-OXDOX, December MO. The “Daily Telegraph's” Dublin correspondent says that the Free State Government is confronted by a serious crisis. Since March certain influences have been at work within the Army and Civil Service ranks, and the action of * ■ secret groups has now reached a point at which the Government must grapple , with conspiracy, or submit to another (/rv ultimatum from the Army. An official statement just issued is highly reticent, hut reading between the lines it. is apparent that the Free State Executive and the Constitution are in parlous plight. The statement after announcing the dismissals already cabled, says that in all eases the persons ’’ere in active association "ith a conspiracy on hchulf of ex-officers connected with the mutiny in March. Ministers now have the choice between firm action or extinction, but it is very clear that the Ministers are divided on the issue confronting them in tbe seeds of disaffection which have taken deep root in the Army and Civil ,Service. However matters may lie smoothed y over for the moment, it. is certain that the Government is imperilled. CUR,FE W Cl. PEE I!EVOKED. LONDON. December 31. Tn consequence of the peaceful conditions of Northern Ireland, the Government has revoked the curfew order, which has been enforced through Ulster for three years, GfTYO .WARU’S STORY. NEW YORK, January 1. The Gifcyo Maru, which was abandoned afire, carried eighty saloon passengers and a crew of one hundred. Within a few minutes all the Pacific radios had been silenced to give full -A opportunities to the rescuers in ascertaining the direction, while the steamer Julia Luckenbaek speeded to the scene. She arrived at three in the morning, finding a calm sea dotted with life-boats surrounding the blazing ship. The captain and thirty of the. crew stayed aboard. It was a forlorn hope to ug'iit with the fire, which had entered No, 4 hold, where nitiatos momentarily were expected to explode. The Julia buckenhaek stood by after reselling the lifeboats, and at liie o’clock a terrific explosion occurred. The radio failed with daylight, leaving the fate of those on board somewhat doubtful.