IRISH AFFAIRS.

Taihape Daily Times, Volume XII, Issue 3653, 15 December 1920, Page 5

IRISH AFFAIRS.

ARMS TO BE SURRENDERED. DEATH PENALTY FOR FAILURE. Received 10 a.m, LONDON, Dec. 14. Colonel Macßeady has issued a proclamation requiring all arms and: ammunition in the proclaimed areas to be handed in by 27th inst., the penalty for disobedience to be death. Received 1 p.m.

LONDON Dec. 14. y Colonel Macßeady has issued a proclamation in the martial law districts saying that Irishmen will understand that in this Great Britain has no quarrel with Irishmen. Her solo quarrel is with crime, outrage and disorder, and her sole object is to restore peace in the districts outraged. Ireland’s sole enemies are those who countenanced, inspired and participated in rebellion, murder and outrage. It is to end once and for all the campaign of outrage that martial law has been declared. The proclamation published the names of the military governors, and announces the death penalty for refusali to surrender ams j ammunition and explosives, and for illegally wearing naval or military uniforms. It concludes with a note that where a state of armed insurrection exists any person participating lor harbouring, Inviting, or aiding or abetting other persons in participation are guilty of levying war against His Majesty the King, and are liable to death. The proclamation concludes that the Crown forces in Ireland are hereby declared on active service.

BRITISH LABOUR COMMISSION. LONDON, Dec. 14. The British Labour .Commission has returned to Dublin the chairman, Mr Cameron, in a satement, said the Commission’s outstanding impressions were that the population was in a State of terror, and not infrequently the Crown forces appear to be attempting to achieve a declared purpose by terrorising the civil population and inflicting a harsh and inffe.fensible oppression on men, women, and children not participating in tne policy of violence. Life and property seem almost valueless in the eyes of some sections of the Crown forces. The Commission will unhesitatingly express its utmost abhorrence of the criminal and ruthless spirit which has dictated some of the worst acts ever committed under British law.

THE CORK FIRES. TROOPS ’ RESPONSIBILITY DENIED. LONDON, Dec. 13 Sir Hamar Greenwood, in the House of Commons, protested vigorously against the suggestion that the fires in Cork were started by the forces of the Crown. There was evidence that incendiary bombs wore used, of which the Crown forces possessed none, but the Sinn Feiners did.