IRISH AFFAIRS

Hokitika Guardian, 8 December 1925, Page 2

IRISH AFFAIRS

[Australia & N.Z. Cable Association.]. ULSTER NATIONALISTS PLEASED, LONDON, December 7. Tbo Ulster Nationalists are pleased with the agreement. Jt is expected that the ten absentee Nationalists will now take seats in the Ulster Parliament ; hitherto only two have been sitting. Judge Fcctham will receive an honour. Lord Carson is of tlie opinion that Britain’s action in foregoing the Free State payments mean a gift of three thousand million sterling to the Free Staters. LEAGUE OF NATIONS. | Australia & N.Z. Cable Association.] SOME IMPORTANT QUESTIONS. LONDON, December (i. Sir A. Chamberlain and the Hon. L. (• y| y. Amcry will represent the ‘Empire at the League of Nations Council to-morrow, when an important rpiestion will be the reception of the Hague Court’s decision regarding Mosul. - The Council also will discuss the preliminary report of the Disarmament Committee, which, possibly, will be leforred to a. World Conference. The third question is when will it be convenient to admit Oermany to the League ; whether to postpone the event till September, 192(1, or to summon an earlier assembly. The fourth subject for the Council’s consideration is Sir Horace Rumbold’s report on the Graeco-Bulgarian dispute. IN SYRIA. — [•‘Th‘- Times” Service.'. SHARP FIGHTING REPORTED. BEIRUT, December (1. Sharp lighting is reported south of Damascus where a large torcc ot Druses attacked a French post. A -troug French column with tanks, armoured cars and aeroplanes made a sort it* Iront the city and after a tight which lasted all day drove off the in--urgcuts with heavy losses. DRUSES ROUTED. BEIRUT, or f>. French tanks, aeroplanes and infantrv destroyed the Druses’ delences, and captured 1 lasheiya. The Druses have evacuated Lebanon. It is believed that the rebellion has now been broken. LONDON, December fi. The Beirut correspondent of “ The Tiihes” says: The French re-occupa-tion of ]Lasheiya, where the Druses had founded a Provincial Government, •s expected to react importantly ihroughout Syria.” The correspondent points out that liasbeiya is the Druse religious centre. Its recapture virtually removes the menace to Grand Lebanon. The rebels however, are not yet cowed, and the situation around Damascus and elsewhere is still disquieting. The general outlook is most unsatisfactory. Shelling from the forts is a nightly occurrence, and on the fourth of December Ihe rebels boldly attacked the Cadein ouarter. the French having to send a strong column, supported by tanks, to drive them off. CONSTITUTION FOR SYRIANS. BEIRUT, December o. M. Do Jonvenal. addressing the representatives of the Council of Grand Lebanon, said that as a reward for their loyally to France, as proved by their recent attitude, he would order the Governor of Grand Lebanon to convoke an extraordinary session for the purpose of entrusting the Council with the task of drawing up its own constitution. Other States could do like wise if (hoy ceased hostilities, as i here was now no excuse for a continuance of rebellion.