IRISH AFFAIRS.

Taihape Daily Times, 28 February 1918, Page 5

IRISH AFFAIRS.

CRIME AND INTIMIDATION IN

IRELAND.

AN INSIDIOUS BEGINNING

Received 8,55. LONDON, February 27. *

The Manchester Guardian says the authorities in Ireland have failed to realise the importance of the insidious beginning of semi-agrarian crime and intimidation, which has now become a reckless, irresponsible and defiant movement. It would be deserving of the name anarchical if it did not seek to justify itself by attempting to perform some neglected duties of the anarchical system of government. Sporadic bauds, calling themselves provisional governors are lawlessly attempting rural reconstructions which the executive suspended at the outbreak of war. Almost every parish has its Prothero or Rhondda instructing farmers and grazers not to buy or sell. Sinn Peinors threaten to control the exports of Ireland. She must be given a government which will govern, whatever its constitution. A REIGN OF TERRORISM, ; Received 9.5. e LONDON, February 27. The Times’ Dublin correspondent says that Mr. H. E. Duke, Under-Sec-retary for Ireland, has ‘promised the Government’s practical help for persons whoso lands had been seized in the name of the Irish Republic, The correspodent adds that for months past the peasants have been seizing and ploughing lands, despite the presence of the police. He urges the gravity of the position and the necessity for prompt action. The next few weeks, perhaps the next few days, will severely test the Irish Executive, and possibly place the fate of the Irish Convention in Mr. Duke’s hands. Latest outrages disclose that an armed band stuck up and stole £5500 from a bank manager who was motoring to Kelfeyra Castle Fair to pay the dealers. The police cautioned men driving cattle to Castle Fergus. The drivers attacked the police barracks, shouting, Kil] them!” They refused to disperse and the police fired wounding two. The mob then dispersed, carrying off the wounded. At Roscommon pig fair the farmers, resenting the fixed prices, mobbed the Dublin Food Control Office, wEom the police rescued. The dealers refused to purchase the pigs,' fearing another Sinn Fein seizure.

EXCITING SCENES AT CORK

SINN FEINERS THRASHED BY AMERICAN SAILORS.

LONDON, Feb 26

Exciting scenes occurred at Cork County. Sinn Feiners mobbed a party of American sailors. The Sinn Feiners cheered for the Germans, Turks and Bulgars, and stoned the 'Americans, who charged and captured a number of youths and gave them a sound thrashing. Finally the police assisted the sailors aboard their warship, at which the crowd flung stones until the police dispersed therm The Press Bureau says: An outbreak of lawlessnes in County Clare necesitated the sending of additional troops on Sunday to assist the police. The county has been declared a special military area under the Defence of the Realm Act. ' ] The Press Bureau says: At a meeting 0 f the Irish Convention the chairman reported the results of the delegation to the Cabinet. After discussion, the meeting adjourned until Wednesday to consider Count PluiTkett’s report. Martial law has been Imposed in County Clare.