IRISH AFFAIRS.

Taihape Daily Times, Volume XI, Issue 3461, 15 April 1920, Page 5

IRISH AFFAIRS.

REPLY BY GOVERNMENT. «: N 0" RELIEF FOR HUNGERSTRIKERS. V Received 10.15 am. - ' LONDON, April 13. Mr Bonar Law, in the Commons, said the prisoners in Mountifiy prison were being treated as untried prisoners. It was a. matter for the Irish administration, but the Government had the fullest confidence in its oflicials. Murder was so rife in Ireland and evidence so difiicult to obtain that it became necessary to arrest on suspicion. ‘The Government had no intention to alter its course. The House would adeplore suicide by hun-hger-strike, but the danger of suicide iwould only, be increased if the prisloners were led to hope the GovernEment would alter its action,

THE IRISH STRIKE.

250,000 ‘PEOPLE IDLE.

Received 9.35 a.m.

LONDON, April 13. The Irish strike has rendered idle 250,000.

The chaifman and secretary of the Irish Trade Union Congress, in a manifesto, announced the continuance of the strike, and are appealing to the citizens to pres'c'fve order. The proclamation statesi “To-day’s demonstration has impressed the world; let nothing happen on our part to give the military occasion for an outbreak of violence.’ ’ V

Twenty thousand demonstrated outside the Mountjoy prison. The -belief is expressed that the prayers are keeping the prisoners alive. Several -are in a state of coflapse.

Irish bishops, at a meeting at Dublin, passed a resolution drawing attention to the fact that an appalling tragedy was seemingly imminent. If digaster enspres from This insensate course the responsibility must rest on the Govérnment, which has 'su-'bsfituted cruelty, vengeance, and gross injustice for equity, moderation, and fair plaiy.

THE HUNG~ER~ b‘TRIKERS.

APPIQAVL TO AUTHORITIES.

BY -LORD MAYOITUF DUBLIN‘.

Received 9.5 a.m.

LONDON, April 13. The Irish strike has been prolonged indefinitely. - The aeting—Lor<l Mayor of Dublin was refusdcl admission to Mountjo-y prison, but received an ofiicizil bulletin stating: “All prisoners are in a. very weak state. Anything may happen within the next twenty-four hours.” The acting-Lord Mayor felegl'al)hL2d to Mr MacPherson, pointing out that Dublin was f(;\’el'isllly excited, and appealing To him to intervene immeciiately, in the interests of peace and humanity. He‘also wired a similar appeal to the American Ambassador at ‘London. ,