IRISH AFFAIRS.

Taranaki Daily News, 1 March 1918, Page 5

IRISH AFFAIRS.

COPING WITH THE TROUBLE. SINN FEINERS HOSTILITY TO CON VEXTION. CONSTABLES SHOT IN CLARE. Australian-N.Z. Cable Association London, Feb. 27. The Daily News Limerick correspondent says that the War Council lms taken ft strong line in relation to Ihe unsettled conditions. There is no cause for alarm. Arrangements have been made capable of coping with anv trouble. Mr. .Duke stales that the Sinn Keillors commenced disorders hoping to wreck the convention, which is at a critical Mr. Duke lias written to the Lord Mayor of Cork that physical disability, due to hunger striking, is not a ground for dischar;:<? from prison. Ordinary criminals in all parts of Ireland art. adopting the hunger strike. Freeman's Journal reports that Mr. Duke is resigning, but the latter says he has no statement to make on the subject. There was a daring outrage in County Clare on Sunday typical of the utteV disorganisation of (he county. Two constables were badly shot while protecting a family who were Cro«vn witnesses in the Barry more murder case three years ago. A man named Marriman was returning from his task with escorting him when suddenly six masked men jumped a wall, disarmed and knockod down the constable anil then fired their revolvers, wounding the fallen men. The masked attackers escaped and no arrests have yet been made. The Times, Dublin correspondent says that Mr. Duke, Secretary for Ireland, promised the practical help of the Government for persons whose lands had been seized in the name of the Irish Republic The correspondent adds that for months past the peasants have been •eizing and ploughing lands, despite the presence of the police. 'He urges the gravity of the position and the necessity of prompt action. Within the next 'few weeks, perhaps within the next few days, the Irish executive will be severely tested, and the fate of the Trisli Convention will possibly be placed in Mr. Duke's hands. THE LATEST OUTRAGES. Among the latest outrages are the following: An armed band stuck up and stole £5500 from a bank manager who was motoring to the Kiltekra cattle fair to pay dealers. The notice cautioned 3000 men who were driving cattle to Castle Fergus. The drivers attacked the police barracks and shouted "Close in. kill them," and refused to disperse. The police fired, wounding two. The mob then dispersed, can-v---ing off the wounded. At Roscommon pig fair a number of farmers, resenting the flvod prices, mobbed the Dublin Food Control official, whom the police rescued. The dealers then refused to purchase pigs, fearing another Sinn Fein seizure. A RECKLESS AND DEFIANT MOVEMENT. The Manchester Guardian savs that the authorities in Ireland failed to realise the importance Of the insidious beffinnins's of semi-agrarian crime and intimidation which have now. become a reckless, irresponsible and defiant movement which would be deserving of the name of nnarchial if it didn't seek to justify itself by attempting to perforin some of Dip neglected duties of the exWin'f anarchical svsfem of Government. _ Sporadic bands, calling themselves pro-y-;<.r"l am-ei'-ifrs. arc lawlessly ing the rural reconstruction 'which the executive suspended at the outbreak of the war. Almost every parish has its Protluro or Rhondda instructing farmers and '.re-'.nr„ not to buy or sell. ' The Sinn Feincrs threaten to control the exports of Ireland. They must be given a Government- which will govern, whatever its constitution. FURTHER CATTLE DRIVES. CONFLICTS WITH POLICE. Received Fcbruarv 2s. 10.10 p.m. London, Feb. 27. There have been further cattle drives in Roscommon and conflicts with the police, many being injured on both sides. MARTIAL LAW IN CLARE. Times Service. Received February 28, .5.;! p.m. London, Feb. 27. County Clare has been declared a special military area under the Defence of the Realm Act, and the military forces there have been strengtheneed.