IRISH AFFAIRS.

Taihape Daily Times, Issue 220, 16 July 1917, Page 4

IRISH AFFAIRS.

THE SINN FEIN PROGRAMME. Received 9.5. LONDON, July 15. The death of Patrick O’Brien promises to the Sinn Feiners another seat for Kilkenny. Devalera, speaking to a large crowd in the chief thoroughfare of Dublin, said the Irish could not , fight for the blood-stained Union They had no particular love for Germany, but if a foreign nation held out a hand they would grasp it. Such nation would naturally expect something in return; that was commonsense. The Sinn Feiners’ programme* was for absolute independence, arming and equipping the yubth of the country, and the organisation of the Irish people to prevent the impositionof unjust taxes.

A crowd at a rally union attacked the police barracks and fired shots. The police fired, and a youth was shot dead. Received 11.40. LONDON, July 15. The “Observer’s” special correspondent calls attention to the Sinn Feiners’ amazing outspokenness. Devalera, is an unemotional' speaker, but his words were violent. The Government must adequately and promptly deal with this audacious challenge, which is only short of armed rebellion, remembering it is outlined by a scholarly leader of a numerous party. Southward of the Boyne everybody in Ireland believes another rebellion is certain unless the Government pre? vents it. A policy of"soppression cRf the Sinn Feiners will not suffice, because the unconstructive Nationalist party is tottering, and because the Nationalist democracy has not been consulted. Strong opposition exists to the Nationalists’ party’s back-parlour intrigues and wirepulling methods, flferefore th? convention prospects are the poorest. Mr. Rtffimond might save a desperate situation if he promptly summoned the National Assembly and sought its amndate, and also requested it to appoint k small council whereto the Nationalist %elegates might report, and thus relieve the Nationalists from the fear of being possibly kicked into an unrepresentative settlement. It is popularly suggested the Government should enforce the convention’s agreement only after a referendum thereon. Received 10.15. , LONDON, July 15.

Mr. Lloyd George has invited Sir Crawford, McCullagh, Sir. Hiram Wilkinson and Sir William Whitla to join the lirsh Convention.