IRELAND.

Taranaki Daily News, 30 October 1919, Page 5

IRELAND.

GRIP OF THE SINN FEIN,

TERRIBLE CONDITIONS REVEALED.

MILITARY; WEAPON USELESS,

By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright. Received Oct. 29, 9.30 p.m.

London, October 27.

The Daily Express, which is publishing results of a special investigation of the conditions in Ireland, declares that the apathetic British public may receive any day a shock more startling than anything in the past, including th«j murders of Cavendish and Burke.

The organisation behind the present day crimes is infinitely more powerful than all former organisations Not a single privato person' outside Ulster dare lift a finger in aid of justice. The Government finds tlie military weapon too clumsy and dangerous, except for use in the last extremity. It is a splendid force of eleven thousand police .that is the authorities' last bul* wark, and against, which Sinn Fein is concentrating' its bitterest vendetta, with the intention of demoralising its members. Theii- Republican proclamations treat the police as outlaws and pariahs. Every wearer of the King's uniform is liable to be murdered on sight. People generally obey Sinn Fein and shun and boycott the police, whose familiies are banned. Even policemen's sweetheart* ate maltreated and their hair sometimes out off.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. SINN FEINERS AT LB3ERTY. - TWO M.P.'S INCLUDED. -.. STORY OP THEIR FLIGHT. London, Oct. 27. Sue Sinn Feiner3, including Beasley and Stack, members of the House of Commons, escaped from Strangeways Gaol, Manchester. A confederate threw a rope ladder over the wall and the escapees bound and gagged a warder and locked him in a cell. The Sinn Feiners in the prison were allowed privileges, including civilian clothes and meals apart from the other prisoners. They were also allowed to see visitors. One Sinn Feiner, during tea time, sprang on the buck of the only warder while the rest gagged, handcuffed, and threw him into a cell. '• The affair was so well planned and fo quietly carried out that no alarm was given- A rope ladder with steel hooks was then flung to the top of the prison witll, 50 feet high. When the Sinn Feiners climbed up they found a telescopic ladder in position and friends waiting for them below. The escapees slipped down and got away in motor cars. Some women outside gave the alarm, but too late. Beasley and Stack have been participants in similar escapes befor?. Beasley escaped from Mount Joy Prison with ' 19 others, while Stack took part '» a hunger strike.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.